A bill to require coordination of depot-level maintenance in multinational exercises conducted by the Air Force.

Bill Number

S. 3381

Origin Chamber

Senate

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

International Affairs

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-12-08: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Last Updated

2026-02-04T04:26:31Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This bill aims to strengthen military logistics and interoperability in the Indo-Pacific region by requiring the U.S. Air Force to include advanced maintenance planning—known as "depot-level maintenance" (major repairs and overhauls of aircraft and equipment at specialized facilities)—in multinational military exercises. The goal is to improve cooperation with allied nations on sustaining equipment during joint operations, reducing logistical challenges in contested environments.

Key Provisions

• Annual Exercise Requirement: The Secretary of the Air Force must integrate depot-level maintenance activities into at least one multinational exercise each year within the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command's area of responsibility. This includes:
• Binational or multinational planning sessions with "covered nations" (allied countries like Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the UK, or others designated by the Secretary) to address:
• Opportunities for joint maintenance to minimize transportation needs and identify required authorities for shared capabilities.
• Real-time coordination for maintaining munitions stocks and resupply routes.
• Mutual recognition of aircraft safety certifications and maintenance standards between the U.S. and allies.
• Emergency simulations, such as handling a breakdown of an allied aircraft in U.S. territory (or vice versa) in a high-conflict logistics scenario.
• Coordination with the Air Force Sustainment Center, involving representatives from the Indo-Pacific Command, Pacific Air Forces, Air Mobility Command, and the Sustainment Center.
• Congressional Report: Within one year of enactment, the Secretary must submit a report to Congress on lessons learned from such exercises specifically with South Korea and Australia. The report must cover:
• Candidate systems for joint sustainment.
• Opportunities for shared depot-level repairs (e.g., testing equipment or replaceable parts).
• Ways to involve Korean and Australian industry partners, including public-private partnerships.
• Logistical challenges (e.g., workforce, housing, facility locations).
• Impediments related to intellectual property rights, data sharing, International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR, rules governing U.S. exports of defense articles), and other statutes.
• Recommendations for easing partnerships, such as updates to status of forces agreements (legal pacts governing U.S. military presence abroad).
• Analysis of allies' maintenance capabilities, gaps in their industrial bases, suitable partnership activities, contributions to joint operations and regional resilience, and alignment with Air Force operational models.
• Definitions: "Covered nations" include the listed allies plus any others designated by the Secretary. ITAR is defined as specific federal regulations on arms exports.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces new mandatory requirements for the Air Force, as it does not amend prior statutes but creates fresh obligations for annual exercises and reporting. It builds on existing multinational training frameworks by explicitly mandating depot-level maintenance integration, which was not previously required by law. No direct repeals or modifications to current laws are specified, though it highlights potential needs to address ITAR and intellectual property barriers.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The Department of the Air Force will face increased administrative and operational burdens, including planning sessions, exercise participation, and report preparation, potentially straining resources but enhancing long-term readiness. Other commands (e.g., Indo-Pacific Command) must collaborate more closely.
• Citizens: Minimal direct effects on U.S. civilians, though it could indirectly support national security by improving military efficiency in the Indo-Pacific, a region vital to U.S. trade and alliances.
• International Relations: Strengthens ties with key allies, particularly South Korea and Australia, by fostering shared logistics capabilities, which could deter aggression and improve joint responses to regional threats. It may encourage similar partnerships with other covered nations, promoting interoperability but requiring negotiations on sensitive issues like arms exports.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• U.S. Government Entities: Secretary of the Air Force, Air Force Sustainment Center, Indo-Pacific Command, Pacific Air Forces, Air Mobility Command, and Congress (as recipients of the report).
• Allied Nations: Primarily South Korea and Australia for the initial report, but extending to Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the UK, and other designated countries; their militaries and industries could gain repair opportunities.
• Industry Partners: U.S., Korean, and Australian defense contractors, who may participate in joint maintenance via public-private partnerships, potentially accessing new workloads but facing intellectual property hurdles.
• Original Equipment Manufacturers: Companies producing aircraft and parts, affected by data rights and export regulations.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The bill raises potential conflicts with existing export controls like ITAR, prompting recommendations for regulatory adjustments. It also touches on international agreements, such as status of forces pacts, which could require diplomatic updates without altering constitutional powers.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority over military organization and funding (Article I, Section 8), imposing oversight via reporting without infringing on executive foreign affairs powers.
• Political: Supports U.S. strategic priorities in countering Indo-Pacific challenges (e.g., from China), signaling commitment to alliances. Referred to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, it may spark debates on burden-sharing with allies and domestic industrial base resilience, but its narrow focus limits broader controversy.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ]

Cosponsors (2)

Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK], Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT]

Recent Actions

• 2025-12-08: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
• 2025-12-08: Introduced in Senate

Bill Versions

• To require coordination of depot-level maintenance in multinational exercises conducted by the Air Force. — issued 2025-12-08 — PDF (6 pages)