Sec. 1253. Increased presence of United States ground forces in Eastern Europe to deter aggression on the border of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
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It is the sense of Congress that— the increased presence of United States and allied ground forces in Eastern Europe since April 2014 has provided a level of reassurance to North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO)members in the region and strengthened the capability of the Organization to respond to any potential Russian aggression against Organization members; at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Wales summit in September 2014 member countries agreed on a Readiness Action Plan which is intended to improve the ability of the Organization to respond quickly and effectively to security threats on the borders of the Organization, including in Eastern Europe, and the challenges posed by hybrid warfare; the capability of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to respond to threats on the eastern border of the Organization would be enhanced by a more sustained presence on the ground of Organization forces on the territories of Organization members in Eastern Europe; and an increased presence of United States ground forces in Eastern Europe should be matched by an increased force presence of European allies. Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall, in consultation with the Secretary of State, submit to the congressional defense committees a report setting forth an assessment of options for expanding the presence of United States ground forces of the size of a Brigade Combat Team in Eastern Europe to respond, along with European allies and partners, to the security challenges posed by Russia and increase the combat capability of forces able to respond to unconventional or hybrid warfare tactics such as those used by the Russian Federation in Crimea and Eastern Ukraine. The report under this subsection shall include the following: An evaluation of the optimal location or locations of the enhanced ground force presence described in paragraph
(1)that considers such factors as— proximity, suitability, and availability of maneuver and gunnery training areas; transportation capabilities; availability of facilities, including for potential equipment storage and prepositioning; ability to conduct multinational training and exercises; a site or sites for prepositioning of equipment, a rotational presence or permanent presence of troops, or a combination of options; and costs. A description of any initiatives by other members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or other European allies and partners, for enhancing force presence on a permanent or rotational basis in Eastern Europe to match or exceed the potential increased presence of United States ground forces in the region.