Top military leaders are warning members of Congress that the cost of ongoing military operations in the Middle East, along with other recent efforts, including in counternarcotics, could soon force difficult decisions on training and overall readiness.

During a congressional subcommittee budget hearing this week, lawmakers questioned how long the Navy and Marine Corps can sustain its current level of operations with a historic amount of warships in the Middle East.

Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Ken Calvert asked Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle how long the Navy could continue operating at its current pace before funding runs short.

“Sir, I will have to start making decisions to change training, operations, certifications events, those types of things we do to generate our force, in the July time frame in the current expenditure,” Caudle said.

The warning comes as Calvert outlined that the Navy is making a $377.5 billion budget request, a 23% increase over the previous fiscal year.

Calvert noted the financial impact the war against Iran has had and said, “Our munitions stockpiles are depleted, our fleet has deferred maintenance — critical maintenance — and our service members have been operating on an extended deployment schedule.”

Rep. Betty McCollum also warned that rising fuel costs tied to the conflict could further strain military operations.

“In addition to the threats our sailors and Marines face, I’m concerned about the broader costs of the war,” McCollum said. “The skyrocketing costs of fuel will limit the Navy and the Marine Corps ability to conduct exercises for the rest of the year.”

Potential reductions in training and certification efforts could have a significant impact in San Diego, home to more than 136,000 active-duty service members, including roughly a fourth of all Marines and a sixth of all Navy sailors, according to the San Diego Military Advisory Council.

Lawmakers also raised concerns about the growing size of China’s naval fleet compared with the United States’.

“Despite our focus on the Middle East and elsewhere across the globe, China still remains our pacing threat,” Calvert added.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently testified that the war effort in Iran has carried a nearly $30 billion price tag. The Defense Department is now facing pressure to replenish munitions stockpiles, improve shipbuilding capabilities and maintain readiness for future threats while continuing current operations.

The Department of Defense’s proposed budget for the upcoming year totals $1.5 trillion, the largest defense proposal in U.S. history.

This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication.

Hip-hop artist Lupe Fiasco is bringing his “Food & Liquor” 20th anniversary debut album tour to San Diego. Fiasco’s first studio album, “Food & Liquor,” was nominated for four Grammy Awards and the single “Daydreaming” featuring Jill Scott won a Grammy for Best Urban/Alternative Performance. Other singles off his debut LP were “Kick, Push” and “I Gotcha.” 7 p.m. Sunday. House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Ave., San Diego. $49.25-$206.50. 619-299-2583, sandiego.houseofblues.com/shows 

Earl Thomas and The Anthony Cullins Band: Earl Thomas and Anthony Cullins will perform two free shows at Lou Lou’s. Thomas is a singer-songwriter who plays American soul, blues and roots rock. Cullins is a songwriter who plays guitar with rhythm and blues, soul, funk, jazz and rock influences. Cullins has also won San Diego Music Awards in the Best Blues Artist category in 2023 and 2024. Seating for both shows is on a first arrival basis and for those 21 years and older. 8 and 10 p.m. Saturday. Lou Lou’s, 2225 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego. Free. loulousclub.com 

Paul Anka: Singer, songwriter and actor Paul Anka is scheduled to perform his hits from the past seven decades at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay. Some of his songs include “Diana,” “My Way,” “Puppy Love” and “Put Your Head on My Shoulder.” He has also had songs on the Billboard charts during seven consecutive decades, according to event organizers. 9 p.m. Tuesday. Humphreys Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, $120-$243. 800-745-3000, humphreysconcerts.com 

Yungblud: In February, Yungblud released his fourth studio album “IDOLS” and now he is sharing his new music on his IDOLS world tour with a stop in San Diego. Yungblud mixes punk and rock with his vocals. The English musician has received multiple awards for his music and live performances, including the O2 Silver Clef Award for Best Live Act in 2022. 7 p.m. Wednesday. The Rady Shell, 222 Marina Park Way, San Diego. $88.33. 619-235-0804, theshell.org 

Barrington Levy: The Jamaican-born Barrington Levy is back in San Diego with his reggae and dancehall vibes for one night at the Music Box. Levy has been making music since the 1970s and released his first four solo album in 1979. Levy has over 30 albums, with his newest LP “Acousticalevy” in 2015, and collaborated over the years with Bounty Killer, Cutty Ranks and Shyne. Last year, Levy’s 40th anniversary edition of his album, “Prison Oval Rock,” was released. Doah’s Daydream will be opening up the show. 8 p.m. Thursday. Music Box, 1337 India St., San Diego. $57. 619-795-1337,  musicboxsd.com 

Takuya Kuroda: Brooklyn-based and Japanese trumpet player Takuya Kuroda is taking the stage for a night of jazz at the Belly Up in Solana Beach. Last year he released his eighth studio album, “Everyday,” and a collaboration LP, “Add a Zero,” with Chris McCarthy and Sam Minaie. He has worked with hip-hop producer DJ Premier 8 p.m. Thursday. Belly Up, 143 South Cedros Ave., Solana Beach. $25. 858-481-8140, bellyup.com 

Carlos Rico, Union-Tribune

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – Gas prices in San Diego County have dipped slightly this week.

But the costs it takes to fill up a fuel tank are getting quite pricey for some food banks.

“We kind of have a triple whammy going on with the fuel situation,” Patty O’Connor, Chief Operating Officer for Feeding San Diego, said.

O’Connor said the first big hit with the current gas prices is bringing the food into Feeding San Diego’s food distribution center.

“We bring about 2 million pounds a month here, and a lot of that is, most of that is rescued food, but we still have to pay for the freight that cost us over $100,000 last month just in freight to bring that in,” O’Connor said.

The organization also sends that food out to the community by truck and by van.

“Every day you’ll see our bright orange trucks going out into the community. We do about 25 deliveries a day, but about 480 over the course of a month, and if you can imagine that costs a lot of money,” O’Connor said.

“In fact, last month, that cost us about $32,000 in just fuel costs. We rely on diesel fuel, and that was twice as much as it was a year ago.”

It’s not only more expensive to fuel the trucks delivering the food, but it’s also more expensive to keep what’s inside them cool.

“And then when we’re loading and unloading, we need to make sure that the trucks are running so that we can keep the food food-safe. So that’s a whole other part of this process that we are managing,” O’Connor said.

Feeding San Diego told ABC 10News they’ve heard from some partners that are on the food rescue side of things that it’s more expensive to drive to pick up those products. So they’ve been able to give some of those partners gas cards to pay for their gas to get food to the community that needs it.

“We look to the community to support us, and so far, um, San Diegans are generous, and they have been generous, and we really do need to continue that generosity so that we can support the struggling families throughout the county,” O’Connor said. “And whatever we can do to support those families, we are going to do so.”