Tactical Airlift

Observations Concerning European Distribution System Operations Gao ID: NSIAD-89-135 June 21, 1989

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the status and operational effectiveness of the Air Force European Distribution System (EDS).

GAO found that: (1) EDS was operating from one forward stockage site, and the Air Force was considering activating two additional sites; (2) the Air Force has not quantified the effect of EDS on tactical aircraft readiness, and available data do not show that EDS has reduced the number of non-mission-capable aircraft; (3) the unit cost of shipping material through EDS was significantly higher than the cost of shipping through other military carriers; (4) usage of EDS C-23 aircraft totalled only 37 percent of available capacity; (5) while the Air Force designed EDS as a wartime system, it was taking steps to ensure efficient peacetime EDS operation; and (6) the Air Force was considering more extensive use of reserve forces for tactical airlift missions.



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