Sec. 346. STUDY ON UNITED STATES FORCE POSTURE IN THE UNITED STATES PACIFIC COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY

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## SEC. 346 STUDY ON UNITED STATES FORCE POSTURE IN THE UNITED STATES PACIFIC COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY ###

(a)Independent Assessment ####

(1)In general The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives, shall commission an independent assessment of United States security interests in the United States Pacific Command area of responsibility. The assessment shall be conducted by an independent, non-governmental institute which is described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code, and has recognized credentials and expertise in national security and military affairs with ready access to policy experts throughout the country and from the region. ####

(2)Elements The assessment conducted pursuant to paragraph

(1)shall include the following elements: #####

(A)A review of current and emerging United States national security interests in the United States Pacific Command area of responsibility. #####

(B)A review of current United States military force posture and deployment plans of the United States Pacific Command. #####

(C)Options for the realignment of United States forces in the region to respond to new opportunities presented by allies and partners. #####

(D)The views of noted policy leaders and regional experts, including military commanders in the region. ###

(b)Report Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the designated private entity shall provide an unclassified report, with a classified annex, containing its findings to the Secretary of Defense. Not later than 90 days after the date of receipt of the report, the Secretary of Defense shall transmit the report to the congressional defense committees, together with such comments on the report as the Secretary considers appropriate. ###

(c)Authorization of Appropriations Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated under section 301 for operation and maintenance for Defense-wide activities, up to $1,000,000, shall be made available for the completion of the study required under this section.