SENSE OF CONGRESS CONCERNING AIRCRAFT CARRIER FORCE STRUCTURE.

SEC. 1026. SENSE OF CONGRESS CONCERNING AIRCRAFT CARRIER FORCE STRUCTURE. (a) Findings.—Congress makes the following findings: (1) The aircraft carrier has been an integral component in Operation Enduring Freedom and in the homeland defense mission of Operation Noble Eagle beginning on September 11, 2001. The aircraft carriers that have participated in Operation Enduring Freedom, as of May 1, 2002, are the USS Enterprise (CVN–65), the USS Carl Vinson (CVN–70), the USS Kitty Hawk (CV–63), the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN–71), the USS John C. Stennis (CVN–74), and the USS John F. Kennedy (CV–67). The aircraft carriers that have participated in Operation Noble Eagle, as of May 1, 2002, are the USS George Washington (CVN–73), the USS John F. Kennedy (CV–67), and the USS John C. Stennis (CVN–74). (2) Since 1945, the United States has built 172 bases overseas, of which only 24 are currently in use. (3) The aircraft carrier provides an independent base of operations should no land base be available for aircraft, with carrier air wings providing the United States sea-based forward-deployed offensive strike capability. (4) The aircraft carrier is an essential component of the Navy. (5) The naval tactical aircraft modernization programs are proceeding on schedule. (6) As established by the Navy, the United States requires the service of 15 aircraft carriers to completely fulfill all the naval commitments assigned to the Navy without gapping carrier presence. (b) Sense of Congress.—It is the sense of Congress that the number of aircraft carriers of the Navy in active service should not be less than 12. (c) Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Noble Eagle Commendation.—Congress hereby commends the military and civilian personnel who have participated in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Noble Eagle.