123STA T . 2 476PUBLIC LA W 111 –8 4 —O CT. 28 , 2 0 0 9(b)REPORT.—Ther e po r tund er s ubse c t i on( a ) sha l lbesub m itted to the C ommittees on A rmed S er v ices o f the H ouse of Representa - tives and the Senate and shall include the follo w in g information
( 1 ) A detailed plan of how the force structure and capabilit y gaps resulting from the retirement actions will be addressed. ( 2 )Ane x planation of the assessment conducted of the current threat environment and current capabilities. ( 3 ) A description of the follow-on mission assignments for each affected base. ( 4 ) An explanation of the criteria used for selecting the affected bases and the particular fighters chosen for retirement. ( 5 ) A description of the environmental analyses being con- ducted. ( 6 ) An identification of the reassignment and manpower authori z ations necessary for the Air F orce personnel (both active duty and reserve component) affected by the retirements if such retirements are accomplished. ( 7 ) A description of the funding needed in fiscal years 2 0 10 through 2015 to cover operation and maintenance costs , personnel, and aircraft procurement, if the restructuring plan is not carried out. ( 8 ) An estimate of the cost avoidance should the restruc- turing plan more forward and a description of how such funds would be invested during the future-years defense plan to ensure the remaining fighter force achieves the desired service life and is sufficiently modernized to outpace the threat. (c) EXC EPT I O NF OR CERT A IN AIRCRAFT.—The prohibition in sub- section (a)(1) shall not apply to the five fighter aircraft scheduled for retirement in fiscal year 2010, as announced when the budget for fiscal year 200 9 was submitted to Congress. SEC.1076 . SE N SE OF CON GR ESS REG A R DI NG CARRIER AIR W ING FORCE S T R U CTURE. (a) FIN D IN GS .—Congress ma k es the following findings: (1) Section 5062(b) of title 10, U nited States Code, re q uires the D epartment of the N avy to maintain not less than 11 operational aircraft carriers. (2) I n repeated testimony before Congress, the Navy has pledged its long-term commitment to naval combat forces that include 11 operational aircraft carriers and 10 carrier air wings, composed of 44 strike-fighter aircraft per wing. (b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— (1) in addition to the forces described in section 5062(b) of title 10, United States Code, the Navy should meet its current requirement for 10 carrier air wings (even if the number of aircraft carriers is temporarily reduced) that are comprised of not less than 44 strike-fighter aircraft, in addition to any other aircraft associated with the air wing
and (2) the Congress and the Secretary of the Navy should take all appropriate actions necessary to achieve the current requirement for such carrier air wings until such time that modifications to the carrier air wing force structure are war- ranted and the Secretary of the Navy provides Congress with a j ustification of any proposed modifications, supported by rig- orous and sufficient warfighting analysis.
