### Question
How does the law define National Contingency Operation?


### Answer
Under *10 U.S.C. § 127a*, **National Contingency Operation** is defined as:

> a military operation that is designated by the Secretary of Defense as an operation the cost of which, when considered with the cost of other ongoing or potential military operations, is expected to have a negative effect on training and readiness

#### Citation:
  - *10 U.S.C. § 127a*
  - Heading: **Subtitle A-General Military Law > PART I-ORGANIZATION AND GENERAL MILITARY POWERS > CHAPTER 3-GENERAL POWERS AND FUNCTIONS**

