Bice' response to Keatings interview

After we read the Reuters story on Keatings interview, I sent a copy to General David Bice for his comments. They follow:

Ray,

Thanks for the note. Not sure exactly the context of Adm Keating's statement. Several months ago he made a similiar statement re: date construction complete, which we acknowledge is an aggressive schedule.
Costs will certainly be higher as our planning has always been in 2008 dollars. Bottomline, construction is still set to begin in 2010; US-Japan target for completion remains 2014; cost planning (for Marines
only) at $10.2B in 2008 dollars.