Title: Civilian Reserve Air Fleet: Should the USAF Use it Routinely?
Subject: The CRAF was used during Desert Shield/Storm. Should the USAF airlift need to rely on civilian air cargo abilities? Should we rely even more heavily on it in the future, or increase our own abilities within the USAF?
Author(s): Bret G. Rider (Faculty Advisor); Jerry D. Harris, Jr.
DTIC Keywords: AIRLIFT OPERATIONS, BULK CARGO, CARGO VEHICLES, COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT
Abstract:
First used in Desert Shield and Desert Storm, the Civilian Reserve Air Fleet
(CRAF) program supplemented the USAF strategic airlift capabilities. The first
ever use of resources the CRAF was a resounding success and only minor changes
have been recommended to further improve the program. Would routine and
continuous use of the CRAF improve USAF airlift capabilities during the current
drawdown?
This essay will study the current and planned future of airlift capabilities and
how this could be supplemented or replaced by use of civilian. A comparison
will be made for: Continuing with the current policy to use the CRAF only
during national emergencies, or Using CRAF to supplement USAF on a routine
basis. This comparison will address the economic issues, the effectiveness of
strategic airlift mission support, and whether this change would hinder USAF
abilities to meet long-term global challenges.