Air Force Fighters: More Reliance on Reserves Increases the Need to Know Their Capabilities
NSIAD-94-86
Published: May 09, 1994. Publicly Released: May 09, 1994.
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Highlights
GAO discussed the relative capabilities of active and reserve Air Force fighter forces and the adequacy of current reporting mechanisms to identify differences between those forces.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Since the Air Force reserve forces will be increasingly relied on to fulfill an early combat role, Congress should consider having the Air Force, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve discuss how they intend to minimize the risks from increased reliance on reserve fighter forces in terms of their relative availability and time needed to deploy, capability, ability to undertake a broader range of missions, and training opportunities. |
Closed – Not Implemented
|
The Committees have not taken action at this time. |
| Congress, when debating the appropriate mix of reserve and active fighter forces and requirements for 20 fighter wing equivalents and responding to two major regional conflicts, should consider requesting that the Air Force provide relevant indicators of relative capability. |
Closed – Not Implemented
|
The congressionally directed Commission on Roles and Missions recommended that DOD size and shape reserved components more consistently with national strategy needs and develop a joint readiness assessment system to assess the status of units assigned unified commanders. The Commission said the services should precede the joint process by assessing their individual force readiness against standards derived from the CINCs' contingency plans. This would include the reserve units' readiness to accomplish assigned tasks within the time frames specified. The Committees have not taken action at this time. |
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Topics
Air Force reservistsAir warfareArmed forces reservesCombat readinessDefense contingency planningFighter aircraftFlight crewsFlight trainingMilitary trainingTactical air forcesIraq War (1991)