; and bolstering deterrence against adversaries by demonstrating United States military capabilities. (2) Military exercises with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies enhance the interoperability and strategic credibility of the alliance. (3) The increase in conventional, nuclear, and hybrid threats by the Russian Federation against the security interests of the United States and allies in Europe requires substantial and sustained investment to improve United States combat capability in Europe. (4) The decline of a permanent United States military presence in Europe in recent years increases the likelihood the United States will rely on being able to flow forces from the continental United States to the European theater in the event of a major contingency. (5) Senior military leaders, including the Commander of United States Transportation Command, have warned that a variety of increasingly advanced capabilities, especially the proliferation of anti-access, area denial (A2/AD) capabilities, have given adversaries of the United States the ability to challenge the freedom of movement of the United States military in all domains from force deployment to employment to disrupt, delay, or deny operations. (b) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that, to enhance the European Deterrence Initiative and bolster deterrence against Russian aggression, the United States, together with North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies and other European partners, should demonstrate its resolve and ability to meet its commitments under Article V of the North Atlantic Treaty through appropriate military exercises with an emphasis on participation of United States forces based in the continental United States and testing strategic and operational logistics and transportation capabilities. (c) Report (1) In general Not later than March 1, 2018, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report setting forth the following: (A) An analysis of the challenges to the ability of the