MODIFICATION OF REQUIREMENTS FOR MINIMUM NUMBER OF CARRIER AIR WINGS OF THE NAVY.

SEC. 121. MODIFICATION OF REQUIREMENTS FOR MINIMUM NUMBER OF CARRIER AIR WINGS OF THE NAVY. (a) Modification of Requirements.— (1) In general.—Subsection (e) of section 8062 of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows— “(e) The Secretary of the Navy shall ensure that— “(1) the Navy maintains a minimum of 9 carrier air wings; and “(2) for each such carrier air wing, the Navy maintains a dedicated and fully staffed headquarters.” . (2) [10 U.S.C. 8062 note] Effective date.—The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall take effect one year after the date on which the Secretary of the Navy submits to Congress the report required under subsection (b)(3). The Secretary of the Navy shall notify the Law Revision Counsel of the House of Representatives of the submission of the report so that the Law Revision Counsel may execute the amendment made by paragraph (1) in accordance with the preceding sentence. (b) Analysis and Report.— (1) In general.—The Secretary of the Navy shall conduct an analysis of potential approaches to the manning, operation, and deployment of a 10th aircraft carrier and associated carrier air wing to determine how the Navy can mobilize such a carrier and air wing if required by operational needs. (2) Elements.—The analysis under paragraph (1) shall address the following: (A) The timeline associated with removing an aircraft carrier from each the following maintenance availability types: (i) Complex Overhaul. (ii) Selected Restricted Availability. (iii) Docking Selected Restricted Availability. (iv) Planned Incremental Availability. (v) Docking Planned Incremental Availability. (B) The potential for establishing a reserve component air wing capable of mobilization as a 10th carrier air wing. (C) The timeline for activation of such a reserve component carrier air wing. (D) The costs associated with establishing and maintaining a 10th active carrier air wing versus establishing and maintaining a reserve component air wing as described in subparagraph (B). (E) The potential for deployment of a 10th aircraft carrier without a fully manned carrier air wing in the event the Navy only operates and crews 9 carrier air wings at the time deployment of a 10th aircraft carrier is required. (F) The potential for additional forward deployed squadrons that could support an aircraft carrier during theater operations that may not have a fully embarked air wing at the time of embarkation. (3) Report.—Following completion of the analysis required under paragraph (1), Secretary of the Navy shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the results of the analysis.