Navy Sealift:
Observations on the Navy's Ready Reserve Force
NSIAD-86-168: Published: Aug 18, 1986. Publicly Released: Aug 18, 1986.
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GAO reviewed the Navy's and the Maritime Administration's (MARAD) efforts to ensure the readiness of the Ready Reserve Force (RRF), specifically, their efforts to: (1) ensure that they can activate RRF ships within required time periods; (2) activate numerous RRF ships concurrently; and (3) ensure the availability of key resources, such as shipyard berthing space and manpower, merchant marine crews, and critical spares.
GAO found that: (1) the Navy and MARAD awarded contracts to 15 firms to berth ships at more than 20 locations nationwide to eliminate fleet congestion, unberthing delays, and overburdening of shipyard labor pools; (2) most of the resources needed to activate RRF ships would be available in the event of an emergency and designated personnel were aware of their duties; (3) although the majority of the shipyards have complete crews, some crews have inadequate skills and experience to operate the older RRF equipment, and would be difficult to assemble within the critical 5- and 10-day activation periods; (4) there would be many competing demands for manpower during a war; (5) the Navy and MARAD have contracted for the maintenance of RRF ships whenever MARAD cannot handle the work load; (6) the Navy and MARAD have improved their methods of computerizing the spare parts inventory; (7) the large number of RRF ships and budgetary constraints may interfere with the Navy's goal to activate all 136 ships at least once every 5 years; (8) activation testing is not accurate since the Navy must use military cargo generated from military exercises during test activations rather than cargo from the U.S. merchant fleet; and (9) due to the limited number of military exercises, the Navy has found it difficult to activate and exercise 27 ships a year for 30 days.
Feb 18, 2021
General Aviation:
Stakeholders Expressed Mixed Views of FAA Policies on Private Pilot Expense SharingGAO-21-285: Published: Feb 18, 2021. Publicly Released: Feb 18, 2021.
Jan 28, 2021
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Unmanned Aircraft Systems:
FAA Could Strengthen Its Implementation of a Drone Traffic Management System by Improving Communication and Measuring PerformanceGAO-21-165: Published: Jan 28, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 28, 2021.
Jan 7, 2021
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Aircraft Noise:
Better Information Sharing Could Improve Responses to Washington, D.C. Area Helicopter Noise ConcernsGAO-21-200: Published: Jan 7, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 7, 2021.
Dec 18, 2020
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Automated Technologies:
DOT Should Take Steps to Ensure Its Workforce Has Skills Needed to Oversee SafetyGAO-21-197: Published: Dec 18, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 18, 2020.
Dec 17, 2020
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Emergency Responder Safety:
States and DOT Are Implementing Actions to Reduce Roadside CrashesGAO-21-166: Published: Dec 17, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 17, 2020.
Nov 24, 2020
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Reagan National Airport:
Information on Effects of Federal Statute Limiting Long-Distance FlightsGAO-21-176: Published: Nov 24, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 24, 2020.
Nov 19, 2020
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Federal-Aid Highways:
States and Local Governments Reported Benefits to Federal Highway Fund Swapping, but Impacts Cannot be Definitively DeterminedGAO-21-88: Published: Oct 20, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 19, 2020.
Nov 16, 2020
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Aviation Certification:
FAA Needs to Strengthen Its Design Review Process for Small AirplanesGAO-21-85: Published: Nov 16, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 16, 2020.
Nov 9, 2020
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Aviation Safety:
FAA's Office of Aviation Safety Should Take Additional Actions to Ensure Its Workforce Has Needed SkillsGAO-21-94: Published: Nov 9, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 9, 2020.
Oct 29, 2020
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Puerto Rico:
Perspectives on the Potential to Expand Air Cargo OperationsGAO-21-21: Published: Oct 29, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 29, 2020.
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