On May 20, 2025, Vice Admiral Nancy S. Lacore, Chief of Navy Reserve and Commander, Navy Reserve Force, provided testimony before the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee during an oversight hearing focused on the National Guard and Reserve Forces.

Appearing alongside Service Chiefs from the National Guard Bureau, Army, Air Force and Marine Corps Reserve, Lacore outlined the critical importance of Reserve Sailors as the Strategic Advantage for the United States Navy and addressed key modernization priorities, including C-130 recapitalization. 

“My strategic vision is clear, Warfighting Readiness is Priority One,” said Lacore. “Investments in modernized training, cutting-edge technology, and the sustainment and upgrades of critical capabilities – such as [modernizing to the] KC-130J Super Hercules, 40-foot Patrol Boat recapitalization and P-8A fleet expansion – will ensure that the Navy Reserve continues to provide strategic depth and combat power to the Fleet and Joint Force.”

Reserve Sailors remain an essential element of the Navy’s total force readiness, providing strategic depth and operational flexibility while enabling the Navy to rapidly scale its capabilities in response to emerging threats and global contingencies.

Reserve Sailors deliver specialized skills and operational expertise, often drawn from their civilian professions, which enhance the Navy’s warfighting effectiveness. The Reserve Force’s ability to mobilize quickly and integrate seamlessly with active-duty components supports the Navy’s global mission and strengthens deterrence worldwide.
Lacore also advocated for continued investment in C-130 recapitalization to ensure the Reserve Force remains agile and mission-ready.

“The C/KC-130T Hercules aircraft serves as the Navy’s only long-range aerial logistics platform capable of transporting bulk cargo,” said Lacore. “Recapitalizing the aging C/KC-130T Hercules fleet with KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft is essential to enabling contested logistics in support of Distributed Maritime Operations and remains the Navy Reserve’s number one equipment priority.”

The C/KC-130T provides a critical role in supporting Navy Reserve logistics, mobility and rapid deployment operations. Last year, Navy Reserve airlift transported more than 80,000 passengers and 20 million pounds of cargo sustaining carrier strike groups in every theater: delivering salvage teams, resupplying critical munitions, and providing vital repair parts to keep F-35s flying in the Pacific and Aegis destroyers on station in the Red Sea. Modernizing this aircraft is vital to the Navy’s overall readiness and intra-theater lift capability.

Lacore’s testimony reinforced the Navy Reserve’s vital role in the Nation’s defense posture and the importance of continued Congressional support for its Sailors, platforms and modernization priorities.

“For over 110 years, the Navy Reserve has delivered operational readiness, strategic depth and warfighting capability - projecting power globally and responding whenever and wherever our Nation has called,” said Lacore. “Together, we will provide a cost-effective, combat-ready Force that delivers real-time value to the Navy and the Joint Force across every domain and every theater.”

For more information, visit https://appropriations.house.gov/schedule/hearings/oversight-hearing-national-guard-and-reserves-forces