THE UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE 3010 DEFENSE PENTAGON WASHINGTON, DC 20301-3010 ACQUISITION, TECHNOLOGY AND LOGISTICS i The Honorable Eliot L. Engel Ranking Member Committee on Foreign Affairs i, U.S. House of Representatives . Washington, DC 20515 JUN 18 2013 Dear Representative Engel: Thank you for your May 31, 2013, letter to the Secretary of Defense requesting his views on the impact of proposed changes to U.S. food aid programs on U.S. maritime readiness and national security. I am responding on his behalf. The FY 2014 Food Aid Reform improves the U.S. Government's ability to respond to humanitarian crisis and chronic food insecurity within current budget constraints. The Department of Defense relies on the U.S. Merchant Marine to provide militarily useful ships to meet military sealift requirements and U.S. mariners for the crewing of defense reserve ships. The Department supports the President's proposed reform of the food aid programs and has assessed that it will not impact U.S. maritime readiness and national security. The Department's ability to crew the surge fleet and deploy forces and sustainment cargo will not be affected. . We are working closely with the Maritime Administration to support the U.S.-flag fleet and facilitate the retention of militarily useful ships and credentialed mariners. Based on the most recent information available, our analysis indicates that the reform proposal may affect 8-11 vessels -- all non-militarily useful -- and roughly 360 to 495 mariners, assuming approximately 45 mariners are employed per vessel per year. In addition, we are collaborating with the Maritime Administration and industry to establish a working group to develop a sealift strategy that ensures the long-term viability of the U.S. Merchant Marine. The Department shares your interest in ensuring a viable and strong U.S. Merchant Marine capable of serving as a naval and military auxiliary in time of war or national emergency. An identical letter has been sent to Congressman Royce. Sincerely, ra end