Sec. 1660. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON THE NUCLEAR FORCE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM OF THE AIR FORCE
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## SEC. 1660 SENSE OF CONGRESS ON THE NUCLEAR FORCE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM OF THE AIR FORCE ###
(a)Findings Congress finds the following: ####
(1)On February 6, 2014, Air Force Global Strike Command initiated a force improvement program for the intercontinental ballistic missile force designed to improve mission effectiveness, strengthen culture and morale, and identify areas in need of investment by soliciting input from airmen performing intercontinental ballistic missile operations. ####
(2)The intercontinental ballistic missile force improvement program generated more than 300 recommendations to strengthen intercontinental ballistic missile operations and served as a model for subsequent force improvement programs in other mission areas, such as bomber operations and sustainment. ####
(3)On May 28, 2014, as part of the nuclear force improvement program, the Air Force announced it would make immediate improvements in the nuclear mission of the Air Force, including enhancing career opportunities for airmen in the nuclear career field, ensuring training activities focused on performing the mission in the field, reforming the personnel reliability program, establishing special pay rates for positions in the nuclear career field, and creating a new service medal for nuclear deterrence operations. ####
(4)Chief of Staff of the Air Force Mark Welsh has said that, as part of the nuclear force improvement program, the Air Force will increase nuclear-manning levels and strengthen professional development for the members of the Air Force supporting the nuclear mission of the Air Force in order “to address shortfalls and offer our airmen more stable work schedule and better quality of life”. ####
(5)Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James, in recognition of the importance of the nuclear mission of the Air Force, proposed elevating the grade of the commander of the Air Force Global Strike Command from lieutenant general to general, and on March 30, 2015, the Senate confirmed a general as commander of that command. ####
(6)The Air Force redirected more than $160,000,000 in fiscal year 2014 to alleviate urgent, near-term shortfalls within the nuclear mission of the Air Force as part of the nuclear force improvement program. ####
(7)The Air Force plans to spend more than $200,000,000 on the nuclear force improvement program in fiscal year 2015, and requested more than $130,000,000 for the program for fiscal year 2016. ####
(8)Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said on November 14, 2014, that “[t]he nuclear mission plays a critical role in ensuring the Nation’s safety. No other enterprise we have is more important”. ####
(9)Secretary Hagel also said that the budget for the nuclear mission of the Air Force should increase by 10 percent over a five-year period. ####
(10)Section 1652 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. “Buck”McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113-291; 128 Stat. 3654; 10 U.S.C. 491 note) declares it the policy of the United States “to ensure that the members of the Armed Forces who operate the nuclear deterrent of the United States have the training, resources, and national support required to execute the critical national security mission of the members”. ###
(b)Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— ####
(1)the nuclear mission of the Air Force should be a top priority for the Department of the Air Force and for Congress; ####
(2)the members of the Air Force who operate and maintain the nuclear deterrent of the United States perform work that is vital to the security of the United States; ####
(3)the nuclear force improvement program of the Air Force has made significant near-term improvements for the members of the Air Force in the nuclear career field of the Air Force; ####
(4)Congress should support long-term investments in the Air Force nuclear enterprise that sustain the progress made under the nuclear force improvement program; ####
(5)the Air Force should— #####
(A)regularly inform Congress on the progress being made under the nuclear force improvement program and its efforts to strengthen the nuclear enterprise; and #####
(B)make Congress aware of any additional actions that should be taken to optimize performance of the nuclear mission of the Air Force and maximize the strength of the strategic deterrent of the United States; and ####
(6)future budgets for the Air Force should reflect the importance of the nuclear mission of the Air Force and the need to provide members of the Air Force assigned to the nuclear mission the best possible support and quality of life.
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- 128 Stat. 3654
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Sec. 1660
SENSE OF CONGRESS ON THE NUCLEAR FORCE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM OF THE AIR FORCE
Stat.128 Stat. 3654
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