Emergency Airlift: Responsiveness of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet Can Be Improved
NSIAD-86-47
Published: Mar 24, 1986. Publicly Released: Mar 24, 1986.
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Highlights
GAO reviewed the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) program to determine whether: (1) the Department of Defense's (DOD) efforts to ensure that CRAF was ready for mobilization were sufficient and effective; and (2) commercial carriers were prepared to support CRAF aircraft, particularly at foreign airfields.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should require MAC to: (1) provide typical work-load information to key carrier representatives and evaluate the carriers' abilities to perform their missions; (2) assess CRAF capability of using data obtained from the carriers, field exercises, and simulations; (3) evaluate CRAF carriers' efforts to meet contractual requirements, such as number of qualified crews with security clearances, the availability of Geneva Convention cards, and navigational route kits; and (4) consider the need for additional data communications capabilities at key military airfields for use by CRAF carriers during a national emergency. |
Closed – Implemented
The Air Force has taken action on all of the recommendations. Field exercises were held, but CRAF did not participate as planned because the information was classified and secure communications equipment was not installed. Over 60 percent of the equipment has been delivered and CRAF successfully participated in the "Proud Eagle 90" exercise. No further followup is necessary.
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| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should require MAC to: (1) provide carriers responsible for supporting CRAF aircraft overseas with general work-load data on the numbers and types of aircraft to be supported at each foreign airfield for their use in planning the efficient movement of combat personnel and cargo; and (2) fully consider CRAF senior lodger support requirements in negotiating host-nation support agreements. |
Closed – Implemented
DOD stated that it concurred with the recommendations and had started corrective action on all of them. As DOD negotiates host-nation support agreements, these issues are supposed to be addressed on a case-by-case basis. GAO followup on this recommendation is complete.
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Topics
Airlift servicesCombat readinessCommercial aviationDefense contingency planningEmergency preparednessInternational relationsMilitary airlift operationsProgram managementStrategic mobility forcesAircraft acquisition program