Military Airlift

The Civil Reserve Air Fleet program, which uses commercial aircraft to augment military planes during emergencies, is an important, yet relatively inexpensive, component of the Air Force's airlift capability. If fully used, the program can provide more than 30 percent of the Air Force's cargo airlift capability and more than 90 percent of its passenger capability. The program allows the government to avoid the large costs involved in acquiring and supporting a substantial Air Force fleet during peacetime. The Pentagon pays for the airlift as it is used and at predetermined compensation rates. The fleet played a major role in Operation Desert Shield/Storm and is expected to be a big part of the Defense Department's (DOD) airlift capability for the foreseeable future. Although the fleet's efforts in the Persian Gulf were a success, the carriers have identified several problems with the program since the activation, and some have suggested that they may reduce future participation unless changes are made. The Air Force and the carriers are working to resolve many of those concerns in negotiations for the next series of fleet contracts. The carriers believe that future fleet activations are more likely because of the success of the first activation. Also, while the carriers are more aware of the direct and indirect costs associated with the activations, the traditional incentive for program participation--peacetime DOD business--is decreasing.

GAO found that: (1) CRAF is an important but inexpensive component of the Air Force's airlift capability; (2) CRAF can provide over 30 percent of the Air Force's cargo airlift capability and over 90 percent of passenger airlift capability; (3) the government does not incur the costs of acquiring and supporting a larger fleet due to the program; (4) CRAF played a significant role in Operations Desert Shield/Storm and is expected to be a major part of the Air Force's airlift capability in the future; (5) many commercial carriers identified problems with the program and suggested that they would reduce participation unless changes were made; and (6) the Air Force and commercial carriers are working to resolve many concerns in negotiations for the next series of CRAF contracts.