(a) Report
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Air Force, in coordination with the Commander of the United States Strategic Command and the Commander of the Air Force Global Strike Command, shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report that contains an assessment of the feasibility, strategic benefits, risks, and resource requirements associated with the potential designation of the Joint Global Strike Operations Center at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, as an alternate command post to the Global Operations Center of the United States Strategic Command, to be known as the Global Operations Center–Alternate .
(b) Elements
The report under subsection (a) shall include the following:
A proposal setting forth how the Joint Global Strike Operations Center at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, would assume and sustain responsibilities as the Global Operations Center–Alternate in support of nuclear and long-range strike missions of the United States Strategic Command across stages of conflict and crisis response.
A proposal for the organizational structure of the Global Operations Center–Alternate, including with respect to relevant authorities thereof, the relationship to and required coordination with the United States Strategic Command, the Air Force Global Strike Command, and the Eighth Air Force (and associated operational and command and control structures), and arrangements for the provision and receipt of support with respect to other elements of the Department of the Air Force.
An assessment of the capabilities for communications and interoperability (including the redundancy, resiliency, and survivability of such capabilities) necessary to perform the proposed functions of the Global Operations Center–Alternate, including any such capabilities relating to nuclear command, control, and communications systems in support of nuclear and long-range strike missions of the United States Strategic Command.
An identification of the personnel levels and readiness requirements necessary for the performance of such proposed functions, including any specialized requirements to support such missions.
An identification of any facilities or other infrastructure the construction or modification of which would be necessary for the performance of such proposed functions, together with cost estimates and a notional timeline for any such required construction or modification.
An identification of the anticipated funding needs during the period covered by the most recent future-years defense program submitted to Congress under section 221 of title 10, United States Code, for the establishment, operation, and sustainment of the Global Operations Center–Alternate, and any resourcing activities or legislative authorities the Secretary determines necessary for such purpose.
(c) Briefing
Not later than 30 days after the date on which the Secretary submits to the congressional defense committees the report under subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide to such committees an unclassified briefing to summarize key findings, recommended actions, and decision points regarding the potential designation of the Joint Global Strike Operations Center at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, as an alternate command post to the Global Operations Center of the United States Strategic Command.