Air Force Aircraft

Consolidating Fighter Squadrons Could Reduce Costs Gao ID: NSIAD-96-82 May 6, 1996

The Air Force decided in 1992 to reconfigure its fighter force into smaller squadrons. This decision was made at a time when the Defense Department was seeking to reduce military operating and infrastructure costs. GAO found that the organizational structure of the Air Force's fighter force is not cost-effective. By operating F-15s and F-16s in smaller squadrons, the Air Force boosts the number of squadrons above the number that would have been used in the traditional 24-aircraft configuration. This reconfiguration has increased operating costs and slowed reductions in infrastructure costs. Although the Air Force considers smaller fighter squadrons to be beneficial, it has not undertaken any studies to support its decision. The Air Force's arguments for using smaller squadrons do not justify the additional expense. GAO evaluated a range of options for consolidating squadrons that could cut operating costs by as much as $745 million during fiscal years 1997-2002. In addition, consolidating squadrons could result in base closures, reducing infrastructure costs by about $50 million per base closure per year.

GAO found that: (1) while smaller 18-aircraft squadrons provide more deployment flexibility than 24-aircraft squadrons, the larger configuration provides enough deployment flexibility to meet the Air Force's needs; (2) the ability of squadron commanders to manage the personnel and tasks of 24-aircraft squadrons has not proved to be a problem; (3) the Air Force's decision to reduce squadron size from 24 to 18 aircraft was not based on organized analysis or documented studies; (4) using 24-aircraft squadrons instead of 18-aircraft squadrons could reduce costs; (5) by consolidating some existing F-15 and F-16 squadrons with other squadrons to better maximize base utilization, the Air Force could cost-effectively increase the number of 24-aircraft squadrons; (6) all 18-aircraft squadrons could return to their original size of 24 aircraft with little or no effort and expense; (7) if the Air Force consolidates its squadrons, it should keep aircraft with the similar modernization, mission characteristics, and engine types together; and (8) at least four alternatives exist to consolidate the Air Force's squadrons that could save between $25 million and $115 million annually.

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