Source: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/9062
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 08:18:04+00:00

Document:
overcoming any nations responsible for aggressive acts that imperil the peace and security of the United States.
There is a United States Air Force within the Department of the Air Force.
In general, the Air Force includes aviation forces both combat and service not otherwise assigned. It shall be organized, trained, and equipped primarily for prompt and sustained offensive and defensive air operations. It is responsible for the preparation of the air forces necessary for the effective prosecution of war except as otherwise assigned and, in accordance with integrated joint mobilization plans, for the expansion of the peacetime components of the Air Force to meet the needs of war.
all Air Force units and other Air Force organizations, with their installations and supporting and auxiliary combat, training, administrative, and logistic elements; and all members of the Air Force, including those not assigned to units; necessary to form the basis for a complete and immediate mobilization for the national defense in the event of a national emergency.
Subject to subsection (f) of this section, chapter 911 of this title, and the strength authorized by law pursuant to section 115 of this title, the authorized strength of the Air Force is 70 Regular Air Force groups and such separate Regular Air Force squadrons, reserve groups, and supporting and auxiliary regular and reserve units as required.
There are authorized for the Air Force 24,000 serviceable aircraft or 225,000 airframe tons of serviceable aircraft, whichever the Secretary of the Air Force considers appropriate to carry out this section. This subsection does not apply to guided missiles.
Effective October 1, 2011, the Secretary of the Air Force shall maintain a total aircraft inventory of strategic airlift aircraft of not less than 301 aircraft. Effective on the date that is 45 days after the date on which the report under section 141(c)(3) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 is submitted to the congressional defense committees, the Secretary shall maintain a total aircraft inventory of strategic airlift aircraft of not less than 275 aircraft.
that is capable of transporting outsized cargo an unrefueled range of at least 2,400 nautical miles.
The term “outsized cargo” means any single item of equipment that exceeds 1,090 inches in length, 117 inches in width, or 105 inches in height.
Beginning October 1, 2011, the Secretary of the Air Force may not retire more than six B–1 aircraft.
The Secretary shall maintain in a common capability configuration not less than 36 B–1 aircraft as combat-coded aircraft.
In this subsection, the term “combat-coded aircraft” means aircraft assigned to meet the primary aircraft authorization to a unit for the performance of its wartime mission.
During the period beginning on October 1, 2017, and ending on October 1, 2022, the Secretary of the Air Force shall maintain a total aircraft inventory of fighter aircraft of not less than 1,970 aircraft, and a total primary mission aircraft inventory (combat-coded) of not less than 1,145 fighter aircraft.
executes single-role or multi-role missions, including air-to-air combat, air-to-ground attack, air interdiction, suppression or destruction of enemy air defenses, close air support, strike control and reconnaissance, combat search and rescue support, or airborne forward air control.
The term “primary mission aircraft inventory” means aircraft assigned to meet the primary aircraft authorization to a unit for the performance of its wartime mission.
Except as provided in paragraph (2), effective October 1, 2019, the Secretary of the Air Force shall maintain a total aircraft inventory of air refueling tanker aircraft of not less than 479 aircraft.
a period of 30 days has elapsed following the date on which the certification is made to the congressional defense committees under subparagraph (A).
The term “air refueling tanker aircraft” means an aircraft that has as its primary mission the refueling of other aircraft.
The term “total aircraft inventory” means aircraft authorized to a flying unit for operations or training.
July 26, 1947, ch. 343, § 208(a), (f), 61 Stat. 503; Aug. 10, 1949, ch. 412, § 12(d), 63 Stat. 591.
July 10, 1950, ch. 454, §§ 2, 201, 203, 64 Stat. 321, 323, 324.
Sept. 19, 1951, ch. 407, § 301, 65 Stat. 329.
July 9, 1952, ch. 608, § 601, 66 Stat. 501.
In subsection (a), 10:20 (1st 19 words) is omitted as surplusage. The words “any areas occupied by the United States” are substituted for the words “occupied areas wherever located”.
Subsection (b) is substituted for 5:626c(a) (1st sentence). 5:626c(a) (last sentence) is omitted as executed.
In subsection (d), the words “consists of” are substituted for the word “includes”.
In subsection (d)(1), 10:20r(a) is omitted as superseded by 10:1831. The words “all persons serving in the Air Force under call or * * * under any provision of law, including members of the Air National Guard of the several States, Territories, and the District of Columbia when in the service of the United States pursuant to call as provided by law” are omitted as covered by the words “the Air National Guard while in the service of the United States”. 50:1091 (last sentence) is omitted, since the components listed include their members.
In subsection (d)(2), the words “or inducted” are omitted as covered by the word “conscripted”.
In subsection (e), the words “Effective on July 10, 1950” are omitted as executed. The words “the limitations imposed by” are omitted as surplusage. The words “not to exceed” are omitted as surplusage, since the revised section states the authorized number and any number over that would not be authorized. The words “and chapter 31 of this title” are substituted for the reference to 10:20s to make it clear that the authority for a 70 group Air Force is subject to all provisions which prescribe the authorized personnel strength of the Air Force.
In subsection (f), the word “considers” is substituted for the words “may determine is more”. The words “aggregate” and “amount” are omitted as surplusage. The words “carry out this section” are substituted for the words “fulfill the requirements of the Air Force of the United States for aircraft necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter, section 481 of this title, and sections 235, 235a, 628, and 628a of title 5”, since the purposes to which the reference is made are stated in the revised section. The last sentence is substituted for 10:20t (proviso).
Section 141(c)(3) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013, referred to in subsec. (g)(1), is section 141(c)(3) of Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title I, Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1661.
Section 144(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, referred to in subsec. (j)(2)(A), is section 144(b) of Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title I, Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1321.
2018—Pub. L. 115–232, § 806(c), renumbered section 8062 of this title as this section.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 115–232, § 809(a), substituted “chapter 911” for “chapter 831”.
Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 115–232, § 141(a), added subsec. (j).
2017—Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 115–91 added subsec. (i).
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 112–239, § 142(a), added subsec. (h).
2011—Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 112–81 substituted “October 1, 2011” for “October 1, 2009” and “301 aircraft” for “316 aircraft”.
2009—Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 111–84 substituted “2009” for “2008” and “316” for “299”.
2006—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 109–163 substituted “Commonwealths and possessions” for “Territories, Commonwealths, and possessions”.
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 109–364 added subsec. (g).
1987—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 100–26 and Pub. L. 100–180 amended subsec. (e) identically, substituting “section 115” for “section 114”.
1986—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 99–433 substituted “section 114” for “section 138”.
1980—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 96–513 substituted “, chapter 831 of this title, and the strength authorized by law pursuant to section 138” for “and chapter 831”.
Amendment by sections 806(c) and 809(a) of Pub. L. 115–232 effective Feb. 1, 2019, with provision for the coordination of amendments and special rule for certain redesignations, see section 800 of Pub. L. 115–232, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 96–513 effective Sept. 15, 1981, see section 701 of Pub. L. 96–513, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.
Except as provided in subsection (c), during the period beginning on October 1, 2017, and ending on October 1, 2022, the Secretary of the Air Force may not proceed with a decision to retire fighter aircraft in any number that would reduce the total number of such aircraft in the Air Force total active inventory below 1,970, and shall maintain a minimum of 1,145 fighter aircraft designated as primary mission aircraft inventory.
The date that is 30 days after the date on which the Secretary submits the report required under paragraph (3).
the retirement of such aircraft will not reduce the total fighter force structure below 1,970 fighter aircraft or the primary mission aircraft inventory below 1,145.
The rationale for the retirement of existing fighter aircraft and an operational analysis of the portfolio of capabilities of the Air Force that demonstrates performance of the designated mission at an equal or greater level of effectiveness as the retiring aircraft.
An assessment of the implications for the Air Force, the Air National Guard, and the Air Force Reserve of the force mix ratio of fighter aircraft.
Such other matters relating to the retirement of fighter aircraft as the Secretary considers appropriate.
The requirement of subsection (b) does not apply to individual fighter aircraft that the Secretary of the Air Force determines, on a case-by-case basis, to be non-operational because of mishaps, other damage, or being uneconomical to repair.
The Secretary of the Air Force shall transition the Air Force to an organizational model for all Air Force remotely piloted aircraft that uses a significant number of enlisted personnel as operators of such aircraft rather than officers only.
For the regular component of the Air Force, the transition required by subsection (a) shall be completed not later than September 30, 2020.
For the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard, the transition required by subsection (a) shall be completed not later than September 30, 2023.
Training infrastructure for enlisted personnel operating Air Force remotely piloted aircraft.
Supervisory roles for officers and senior enlisted personnel for enlisted personnel operating Air Force remotely piloted aircraft.
The objectives of the transition.
The timeline of the transition.
The resources required to implement the transition.
Recommendations for any legislation action required to implement the transition.
The assumptions used to complete the transition.
Risks associated with implementing the transition.
The number of and type of aircraft to be transferred.
a description of the allocation of resources, including the designation of responsibility for funding aircraft operation and maintenance and a detailed description of budgetary responsibilities, for the period for which the aircraft is transferred to the regular component.
The designation of responsibility for funding maintenance requirements or modifications to the aircraft generated as a result of the transfer, including any such requirements and modifications required during the period for which the aircraft is transferred to the regular component.
Any location from which the aircraft will be transferred.
The effects on manpower that such a transfer may have at any facility identified under paragraph (4).
The effects on the skills and proficiencies of the reserve component personnel affected by the transfer.
Any other items the Director of the Air National Guard or the Chief of Air Force Reserve determines are necessary in order to execute such a transfer.
for a transfer described in subsection (c)(1), submits to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] an agreement entered into pursuant to subsection (a) regarding the transfer of the aircraft.
possession of an aircraft for a period in excess of 90 days.
A routine temporary transfer of possession of an aircraft from a reserve component that is made solely for the benefit of the reserve component for the purpose of maintenance, upgrade, conversion, modification, or testing and evaluation.
A routine permanent transfer of assignment of an aircraft that terminates a reserve component’s equitable interest in the aircraft if notice of the transfer has previously been provided to the congressional defense committees and the transfer has been approved by the Secretary of Defense pursuant to Department of Defense regulations.
A transfer described in paragraph (1)(A) when there is a reciprocal permanent assignment of an aircraft from the regular component of the Air Force to the reserve component that does not degrade the capability of, or reduce the total number of, aircraft assigned to the reserve component.
The Secretary of the Air Force shall not implement the consolidation of aircraft repair facilities and personnel of the active Air Force with aircraft repair facilities and personnel of the Air National Guard or the consolidation of aircraft repair facilities and personnel of the Air National Guard with aircraft repair facilities and personnel of the active Air Force unless and until the Secretary of the Air Force submits the reports required by (b) and (c), the Chief of the National Guard Bureau submits the assessment required by subsection (d), and the Secretary of Defense submits the certification required by subsection (e).
Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 14, 2008], the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a report stating all the criteria being used by the Department of the Air Force and the Rand Corporation to evaluate the feasibility of consolidating Air Force maintenance functions into organizations that would integrate active, Guard, and Reserve components into a total-force approach. The report shall include the assumptions that were provided to or developed by the Rand Corporation for its study of the feasibility of the consolidation proposal.
At least 90 days before any consolidation of aircraft repair facilities and personnel of the active Air Force with aircraft repair facilities and personnel of the Air National Guard, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the findings of the Rand Corporation feasibility study and the Rand Corporation’s recommendations, the Air Force’s assessment of the findings and recommendations, any plans developed for implementation of the consolidation, and a delineation of all infrastructure costs anticipated as a result of implementation.
the information included in the report required by subsection (c).

References: § 208
 § 12
 § 301
 § 601
 § 806
 § 809
 § 141
 § 142