Sec. 1248. Support of European Deterrence Initiative to deter Russian aggression
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Congress makes the following findings: Military exercises, such as Exercise Nifty Nugget and Exercise Reforger during the Cold War, have historically made important contributions to testing operational concepts, technologies, and leadership approaches; identifying limiting factors in the execution of operational plans and appropriate corrective action; and bolstering deterrence against adversaries by demonstrating United States military capabilities. Military exercises with North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO)allies enhance the interoperability and strategic credibility of the alliance. The increase in conventional, nuclear, and hybrid threats by the Russian Federation against the security interests of the United States and allies in Europe requires substantial and sustained investment to improve United States combat capability in Europe. The decline of a permanent United States military presence in Europe in recent years increases the likelihood the United States will rely on being able to flow forces from the continental United States to the European theater in the event of a major contingency. Senior military leaders, including the Commander of United States Transportation Command, have warned that a variety of increasingly advanced capabilities, especially the proliferation of anti-access, area denial (A2/AD) capabilities, have given adversaries of the United States the ability to challenge the freedom of movement of the United States military in all domains from force deployment to employment to disrupt, delay, or deny operations. It is the sense of Congress that, to enhance the European Deterrence Initiative and bolster deterrence against Russian aggression, the United States, together with North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies and other European partners, should demonstrate its resolve and ability to meet its commitments under Article V of the North Atlantic Treaty through appropriate military exercises with an emphasis on participation of United States forces based in the continental United States and testing strategic and operational logistics and transportation capabilities. Not later than March 1, 2018, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report setting forth the following: An analysis of the challenges to the ability of the United States to flow significant forces from the continental United States to the European theater in the event of a major contingency. The plans of the Department of Defense, including the conduct of military exercises, to address such challenges. The report required by paragraph
(1)shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.