Drug Control: Use of National Guard Aircraft in Counter-Drug Activities

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed three states' use of National Guard aircraft to fly counter-drug missions, focusing on whether: (1) it was more economical to use National Guard helicopters rather than to contract for commercial helicopters; (2) states conducted cost comparisons of commercial versus government aircraft use in accordance with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-126; and (3) such analyses were part of each state's justification for using National Guard helicopters.