Military Airlift

This report provides information on the Civil Reserve Air Fleet Program, which augments military airlift during emergencies. According to Air Mobility Command documents, fleet aircraft played a vital role in Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield by providing 62 percent of the Air Force's passenger airlift capability and 27 percent of its cargo airlift capability. GAO discusses the (1) extent to which participation by commercial carriers in the program meets wartime requirements, (2) Defense Department's efforts to ensure future carrier participation, and (3) recent review of the program that was directed by the C-17 Defense Acquisition Board.

GAO found that: (1) the extent of carrier participation varies in different segments of the CRAF program; (2) commercial carriers have committed only 19 of the 44 aircraft required for aeromedical evacuation; (3) as a result, AMC could have difficulties evacuating casualties from an overseas contingency operation; (4) carriers have committed 114 of the 120 wide-body equivalent aircraft required for cargo airlift; (5) however, this shortage of aircraft has not affected DOD's ability to quickly deploy troops and equipment; (6) participation in passenger airlift exceeds requirements--a commitment of 161 wide-body equivalent aircraft to meet a requirement of 136; (7) to encourage continued carrier participation, AMC has proposed making the award of additional DOD and other government airlift business contingent on some form of commitment to the CRAF program; (8) additionally, AMC is addressing carriers' concerns about war risk insurance coverage; (9) the recent C-17 DAB decision, recognizing the importance of the CRAF program, directed that DOD study ways to stabilize carrier participation and increase commitment of B-747-400 freighter aircraft; and (10) the final results are not due until June 1, 1996.