§2350o. Participation in programs relating to coordination or exchange of air refueling and air transportation services

(a) Participation Authorized.-

(1) In general.-The Secretary of Defense, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, may authorize the participation of the Department of Defense in programs relating to the coordination or exchange of air refueling and air transportation services, including in the arrangement known as the Air Transport and Air-to-Air Refueling and other Exchanges of Services program (in this section referred to as the "ATARES program").

(2) Scope of participation.-Participation of the Department of Defense in programs referred to in paragraph (1) may include-

(A) the reciprocal exchange or transfer of air refueling and air transportation services on a reimbursable basis or by replacement-in-kind; and

(B) the exchange of air refueling and air transportation services of an equal value.

(3) Limitations with respect to participation in atares program.-

(A) In general.-The Department of Defense balance of executed flight hours in participation in the ATARES program under paragraph (1), whether as credits or debits, may not exceed a total of 500 hours.

(B) Air refueling.-The Department of Defense balance of executed flight hours for air refueling in participation in the ATARES program under paragraph (1) may not exceed 200 hours.

(b) Written Arrangement or Agreement.-Participation of the Department of Defense in a program referred to in subsection (a)(1) shall be in accordance with a written arrangement or agreement entered into by the Secretary of Defense, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State.

(c) Implementation.-In carrying out any arrangement or agreement entered into under subsection (b), the Secretary of Defense may-

(1) pay the equitable share of the Department of Defense for the recurring and nonrecurring costs of the applicable program referred to in subsection (a)(1) from funds available to the Department for operation and maintenance; and

(2) assign members of the armed forces or Department of Defense civilian personnel to fulfill Department obligations under that arrangement or agreement.

(Added Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XII, §1203(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3910 .)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Authority To Establish a Movement Coordination Center Pacific in the Indo-Pacific Region

Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title X, §1061, Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3858 , provided that:

"(a) Authority To Establish.-

"(1) In general.-The Secretary of Defense, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, may authorize-

"(A) the establishment of a Movement Coordination Center Pacific (in this section referred to as the 'Center'); and

"(B) the participation of the Department of Defense in an Air Transport and Air-to-Air refueling and other Exchanges of Services program (in this section referred to as the 'ATARES program') of the Center.

"(2) Scope of participation.-Participation in the ATARES program under paragraph (1)(B) shall be limited to the reciprocal exchange or transfer of air transportation and air refueling services on a reimbursable basis or by replacement-in-kind or the exchange of air transportation or air refueling services of an equal value with foreign militaries.

"(3) Limitations.-The Department of Defense's balance of executed transportation hours, whether as credits or debits, in participation in the ATARES program under paragraph (1)(B) may not exceed 500 hours. The Department of Defense's balance of executed flight hours for air refueling in the ATARES program under paragraph (1)(B) may not exceed 200 hours.

"(b) Written Arrangement or Agreement.-

"(1) Arrangement or agreement required.-The participation of the Department of Defense in the ATARES program under subsection (a) shall be in accordance with a written arrangement or agreement entered into by the Secretary of Defense, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State.

"(2) Funding arrangements.-If Department of Defense facilities, equipment, or funds are used to support the ATARES program, the written arrangement or agreement under paragraph (1) shall specify the details of any equitable cost-sharing or other funding arrangement.

"(3) Other elements.-Any written arrangement or agreement entered into under paragraph (1) shall require that any accrued credits and liabilities resulting from an unequal exchange or transfer of air transportation or air refueling services shall be liquidated, not less than once every 5 years, through the ATARES program.

"(c) Implementation.-In carrying out any written arrangement or agreement entered into under subsection (b), the Secretary of Defense may-

"(1) pay the Department of Defense's equitable share of the operating expenses of the Center and the ATARES program from funds available to the Department of Defense for operation and maintenance; and

"(2) assign members of the Armed Forces or Department of Defense civilian personnel, within billets authorized for the United States Indo-Pacific Command, to duty at the Center as necessary to fulfill the obligations of the Department of Defense under that arrangement or agreement."