REPORT ON OPTIONS FOR MODERNIZATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF MISSILE WING HELICOPTER SUPPORT.

SEC. 1034. REPORT ON OPTIONS FOR MODERNIZATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF MISSILE WING HELICOPTER SUPPORT. (a) Report Required.—The Secretary of Defense shall prepare a report regarding the options for providing the helicopter support missions for the Air Force intercontinental ballistic missile wings at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, and F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, for as long as these missions are required. The report shall include the Secretary’s recommendations on a preferred option. (b) Options.—Options to be reviewed under subsection (a) include the following: (1) The current plan of the Air Force for replacement or modernization of UH-1N helicopters currently flown by the Air Force at the missile wings. (2) Replacement of the UH-1N helicopters currently flown by the Air Force with UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, the UH—1Y helicopter, or another platform. (3) Replacement of the UH-1N helicopters with UH-60 helicopters and transition of the mission to the Army National Guard, as detailed in the Air Force Space Command/Army National Guard plan entitled “ARNG Helicopter Support to Air Force Space Command” and dated November 2000. 115 STAT. 1217 (4) Replacement of the UH-1N helicopters with UH-60 helicopters or another platform, and establishment of composite units combining active duty Air Force and Army National Guard personnel. (5) Such other options as the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate. (c) Factors.—Factors to be considered in preparing the report under subsection (a) include the following: (1) Any implications of transferring the helicopter support missions on the command and control of, and responsibility for, missile field force protection. (2) Current and future operational requirements, and the capabilities of the UH-1N or UH-60 helicopter or other aircraft to meet such requirements. (3) Cost, with particular attention to opportunities to realize efficiencies over the long run. (4) Implications for personnel training and retention. (5) Evaluation of the assumptions used in the plan specified in subsection (b)(3). (d) Consideration.—In preparing the report under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall consider carefully the views of the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Air Force, the commander of the United States Strategic Command, and the Chief of the National Guard Bureau. (e) Submission of Report.—The report required by subsection (a) shall be submitted to the congressional defense committees not later than the date on which the President submits to Congress the budget under section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, for fiscal year 2003.