Military Airlift: Improving Management of Aircraft Loading Operations
NSIAD-87-5
Published: Oct 23, 1986. Publicly Released: Oct 23, 1986.
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Highlights
GAO evaluated whether the Military Airlift Command's (MAC) aerial ports, which are airfields selected for the sustained movement of military air traffic, can effectively support wartime airlift operations.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of the Air Force | The Secretary of the Air Force should direct the Commander, MAC, to identify equipment that falls below acceptable performance criteria, determine the causes for the reduced performance, and take timely corrective action needed to bring the equipment up to acceptable performance standards. |
Closed – Implemented
MAC expanded its vehicle in-commission reporting requirements to include a category of problem vehicles. This, along with other management information, will be used as a basis for management action.
|
| Department of the Air Force | The Secretary of the Air Force should direct the Commander, MAC, to ascertain the extent to which the storage problems experienced with the contractor's loaders may be occurring with other MHE stored as war reserve. |
Closed – Not Implemented
The Department of Defense (DOD) stated that existing procedures are adequate for vehicle storage; however, these procedures were not employed for the Wilson loaders. The adequacy of existing storage procedures will be considered for future audit work.
|
| Department of the Air Force | The Secretary of the Air Force should revise Air Force regulations to require consideration of CRAF-owned elevator loaders in formulating operational war plans and determining procurement requirements. |
Closed – Implemented
The aerial port planners guide was published and distributed in February 1989. Air Force Publication 76-2 is being changed.
|
| Department of the Air Force | The Secretary of the Air Force should direct the Commander, MAC, to develop and maintain an updated CRAF-elevator loader inventory. |
Closed – Implemented
MAC will use information on the inventory and location of private sector elevation loaders maintained by commercial carriers. MAC subscribes to this report, which is updated annually.
|
| Department of the Air Force | The Secretary of the Air Force should direct the Commander, MAC, to obtain contractual commitments from CRAF carriers for use of elevator loaders during a contingency. |
Closed – Implemented
The May 1988 contract obligation with CRAF carriers to furnish MHE where government-furnished MHE is inadequate or unavailable.
|
| Department of the Air Force | The Secretary of the Air Force should direct the Commander, MAC, to refine its procurement objectives and determine the reduction in war reserve requirements achievable by considering CRAF carrier-owned elevator loaders. |
Closed – Not Implemented
The Air Force does not plan to purchase additional WBELS.
|
| Department of the Air Force | The Secretary of the Air Force should defer procurement of additional elevator loaders until MAC refines its procurement objectives. |
Closed – Implemented
DOD stated that future procurements will be made in light of the availability of CRAF carrier-owned MHE.
|
| Department of the Air Force | The Secretary of the Air Force should direct the Commander, MAC, to identify the current inventory of war reserve equipment and establish war readiness spares kits tailored to the requirements of equipment at each storing base. |
Closed – Implemented
DOD stated that spare parts requirements will be included in the next budget cycle for inclusion in the Air Force Fiscal Year 1989 through 1993 Program Objective Memorandum.
|
| Department of the Air Force | The Secretary of the Air Force should direct the Commander, MAC, to establish war readiness spares kits for all in-service elevator loaders. |
Closed – Implemented
MAC is developing war readiness spares kits and base-level self-sufficiency requirements for all command elevator loaders.
|
| Department of the Air Force | The Secretary of the Air Force should direct the Commander, MAC, to comply with Air Force regulations to annually review kit status. |
Closed – Implemented
MAC initiated a top-to-bottom MHE war readiness spares kit and base-level self-sufficiency requirements analysis.
|
| Department of the Air Force | The Secretary of the Air Force should direct the Commander, MAC, to complete efforts to establish appropriate base-level self-sufficiency spare kit components. |
Closed – Implemented
MAC validated its base-level self-sufficiency requirements.
|
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Topics
Air Force procurementEquipment maintenanceEquipment managementInventory controlLogisticsMilitary aircraftMilitary airlift operationsProcurement practicesSpare partsAircraft