P-3 AIRCRAFT

SEC. 1437. P-3 AIRCRAFT (a) Transfer of Aircraft to Reserve Components.— (1) The Secretary of the Navy, by the transfer of aircraft from regular component squadrons to reserve component squadrons, shall ensure that on September 30, 1996, the average number of aircraft assigned to a P-3 aircraft squadron in the Naval Reserve is equal to the average number of aircraft assigned to a P-3 aircraft squadron in the regular Navy. (2) The Secretary shall transfer no fewer than 32 P-3C aircraft pursuant to subsection (a). (b) Waiver Authority.— (1) The Secretary of Defense may temporarily waive the requirements in subsection (a) with respect to a specific reserve component squadron if the Secretary determines that— (A) the submarine threat presented by the Soviet Union has increased; and (B) the P-3B aircraft would be able to track and attack effectively the submarines that comprise the increase in the threat. (2) Temporary waivers under paragraph (1) shall be made on a case-by-case basis. Such a waiver shall be for a period not to exceed one year, but may be renewed for an additional period of one year under the conditions specified in paragraph (1). (c) Prohibition on Use of Funds.— Funds appropriated or otherwise made available for operation and maintenance for the Navy for104 STAT. 1689 any fiscal year beginning on or after September 30, 1996, may not be used to operate or maintain P-3B aircraft.