(a) Report required
Not later than March 1, 2027, and annually thereafter for four years, the Secretary of the Navy shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the status of efforts to transfer F/A–18E/F aircraft to the Navy Reserve to replace the F–5 aircraft.
(b) Elements
Each report under subsection (a) shall include an explanation of—
how the Secretary will mitigate risk to any degradation, gap, or delay in mission execution, fleet readiness, or pilot and maintainer qualification during the period in which aircraft are being transferred and replaced as described in subsection (a);
the Secretary’s plans for retaining key Navy Reserve personnel to support operational readiness during such period;
how the Secretary plans, if possible, to ensure that assigned operational and adversary training missions are executed during such period;
how the Secretary plans to maintain pilot and maintenance personnel proficiency, currency, and qualifications during such period; and
the timelines associated with the transfer and replacement of aircraft described in subsection (a), including timelines associated with—
support equipment and initial spares;
pilot and maintenance personnel training;
achievement of initial operational capability and full operational capability; and
execution of all contracts supporting the transfer and replacement of such aircraft.