Aircraft Maintenance
Air Force Transferred and Eliminated Tasks to Address Funding Shortfalls Gao ID: NSIAD-90-114 June 7, 1990Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO determined the significance of the Air Force Logistics Command's (AFLC) elimination and deferral of maintenance requirements in offsetting funding shortfalls.
GAO found that: (1) in fiscal years (FY) 1988 and 1989, AFLC transferred some depot maintenance tasks to operating commands; (2) operating commands did not substantially duplicate current depot activities or greatly increase maintenance costs; (3) the operating commands' efforts helped maintain aircraft readiness by allowing AFLC to accomplish high-priority tasks; (4) Air Force actions to eliminate or defer overstated and low-priority depot aircraft maintenance requirements reduced the funding shortfall; (5) despite the eliminated and deferred work, readiness was maintained, aircraft were not grounded due to a failure to perform scheduled maintenance, and safety-related essential work was accomplished; and (6) severe funding shortfalls projected for FY 1988 and 1989 did not occur.