The Civil Reserve Air Fleet and Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm

The Civil Reserve Air Fleet and Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm PDF

Author: Mary E. Chenoweth

Publisher: Rand Corporation

Published: 1993

Total Pages: 78

ISBN-13: 9780833014375

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This report investigates the activation of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF), which the Military Airlift Command (predecessor of the Airlift Mobility Command) called up for the first time at the start of Operation Desert Shield. From August 1990 to May 1991, CRAF furnished commercial airline assets--passenger jets, cargo transports, and crews--to the command to assist in the massive deployment of U.S. troops and supplies to the Gulf region and in their eventual return. To guarantee a robust CRAF for our national security future, some enhancements are vital. An effective, modern mix of incentives for this volunteer program is necessary. Also, policies that shield air carriers from unreasonable risk; improve command, control, and communications; and minimize the inefficient use of commercial aircraft and crews should be developed.

A History of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet

A History of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet PDF

Author: Office of Air Force History

Publisher: Createspace Independent Pub

Published: 2015-03-03

Total Pages: 250

ISBN-13: 9781508697909

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This is the second in a series of research studies-historical works that were not published for various reasons. Yet, the material contained therein was deemed to be of enduring value to Air Force members and scholars. These works were minimally edited and printed in a limited edition to reach a small audience that may find them useful. We invite readers to provide feedback to the Air Force History and Museums Program. Dr. Theodore Joseph Crackel, completed this history in 1993, under contract to the Military Airlift Command History Office. Contract management was under the purview of the Center for Air Force History (now the Air Force History Support Office). MAC historian Dr. John Leland researched and wrote Chapter IX, "CRAF in Operation Desert Shield." Rooted in the late 1930s, the CRAF story revolved about two points: the military requirements and the economics of civil air transportation. Subsequently, the CRAF concept crept along for more than fifty years with little to show for the effort, except for a series of agreements and planning documents. The tortured route of defining and redefining of the concept forms the nucleus of the this history. Unremarkable as it appears, the process of coordination with other governmental agencies, the Congress, aviation organizations, and individual airlines was both necessary and unavoidable; there are lessons to be learned from this experience. Although this story appears terribly short on action, it is worth studying to understand how, when, and why the concept failed and finally succeeded. The payoff came during the Persian Gulf War, over the period from August 1990 until January 1991, when the CRAF flew in support of Operation Desert Shield. The CRAF provided the "greatest airlift in history," eclipsing in some aspects even the 1948-1949 Berlin Airlift. The statistics were staggering: during those 165 days the CRAF transported some 400,000 troops and 355,000 tons of cargo from the U.S. east coast to the Arabian Peninsula, an average distance of 7,000 miles. By May 1991 CRAF aircraft had transported 60 percent of the troops and 25 percent of the cargo.

A History of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) - Reports on Edgar Gorrell, World War II, Pan Am, Airlines, MAC, Military and Emergency Airlift, Cargo, Management, Enhancement, and Desert Shield

A History of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) - Reports on Edgar Gorrell, World War II, Pan Am, Airlines, MAC, Military and Emergency Airlift, Cargo, Management, Enhancement, and Desert Shield PDF

Author: U. S. Military

Publisher:

Published: 2017-09-26

Total Pages: 248

ISBN-13: 9781549840524

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This Air Force publication tells the story of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF). Rooted in the late 1930s, the CRAF story revolved about two points: the military requirements and the economics of civil air transportation. Subsequently, the CRAF concept crept along for more than fifty years with little to show for the effort, except for a series of agreements and planning documents. The tortured route of defining and redefining of the concept forms the nucleus of the this history. Unremarkable as it appears, the process of coordination with other governmental agencies, the Congress, aviation organizations, and individual airlines was both necessary and unavoidable; there are lessons to be learned from this experience. Although this story appears terribly short on action, it is worth studying to understand how, when, and why the concept failed and finally succeeded. The payoff came during the Persian Gulf War, over the period from August 1990 until January 1991, when the CRAF flew in support of Operation Desert Shield. The CRAF provided the "greatest airlift in history," eclipsing in some aspects even the 1948-1949 Berlin Airlift. The statistics were staggering: during those 165 days the CRAF transported some 400,000 troops and 355,000 tons of cargo from the U.S. east coast to the Arabian Peninsula, an average distance of 7,000 miles. By May 1991 CRAF aircraft had transported 60 percent of the troops and 25 percent of the cargo.Chapter I - The Roots of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet * The Army and Air Transport * Enter Edgar Gorrell * War Clouds, Air Transport, and Military Airlift Requirements * Chapter II - The Air Transport Industry in World War II * Pan Am and the British: Showing the Way * Organizing Air Transport for War * Across the Oceans * Summary and Analysis * Chapter III - Birth of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet, 1947-1951 * The Airlines and Strategic Military Airlift * CRAF: The Conception * CRAF: The Gestation * Summary and Analysis * Chapter IV - Shaping the Civil Reserve Air Fleet, 1952-1954 * Military Air Transport Service and the Airlines * Introducing the Civil Reserve Air Fleet * Organizing the Civil Reserve Air Fleet * Summary and Analysis * Chapter V - A Period of Redefinition, 1955-1962 * A Redefined Environment: MATS and the Airlines * Redefining CRAF: Structure and Strategy * Strategy Redefined * Summary and Analysis * Chapter VI - An Era of Modernization, 1963-1972 * Refining CRAF Management and Organization * New Contracts * Revisiting the Environment: The Airlines vs. MAC * MAC, the Airlines, and the Vietnam War * The "Competition Issue" Revisited * Summary and Analysis * Chapter VII - CRAF Enhancement, 1973-1979 * The Strategic and Economic Environment * Bonus Awards * CRAF Enhancement * Summary and Analysis * Chapter VIII - Management Challenges in a New Era, 1980-1987 * Airlift Shortfall--Strategic Demand and Economic Reality * Advancing CRAF Enhancement * CRAF Management--Looking Ahead * Summary and Analysis * Chapter IX - CRAF in Operation Desert Shield * Activation of CRAF Stage I * Quest for Additional Commercial Airlift * Conclusion: An Assessment of CRAF * Bibliographic Essay

Civil Reserve Air Fleet

Civil Reserve Air Fleet PDF

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 1992

Total Pages: 52

ISBN-13:

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This report addresses the operation of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) during Operation Desert Shield/Storm. Although the CRAF was established in 1952 to augment military airlift during contingencies, it was first activated on August 17, 1990. In more than 5,300 flights between August 1990 and May 1991, the CRAF transported about 67 percent of the passengers and 22 percent of the cargo that was airlifted to the Persian Gulf area. That contribution was critical to the success of Operation Desert Shield/Storm.

Air Mobility

Air Mobility PDF

Author: Robert C. Owen

Publisher: Potomac Books, Inc.

Published: 2013

Total Pages: 663

ISBN-13: 1597978523

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Global air mobility is an American invention. During the twentieth century, other nations developed capabilities to transport supplies and personnel by air to support deployed military forces. But only the United States mustered the resources and will to create a global transport force and aerial refueling aircraft capable of moving air and ground combat forces of all types to anywhere in the world and supporting them in continuous combat operations. Whether contemplating a bomber campaign or halting another surprise attack, American war planners have depended on transport and tanker aircraft.

Aerospace power in the twenty-first century a basic primer

Aerospace power in the twenty-first century a basic primer PDF

Author: Clayton K. S. Chun

Publisher: DIANE Publishing

Published: 2001

Total Pages: 351

ISBN-13: 1428990291

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Dr. Chun's Aerospace Power in the Twenty-First Century: A Basic Primer is a great start towards understanding the importance of aerospace power and its ability to conduct modern warfare. Aerospace power is continually changing because of new technology, threats, and air and space theories. However, many basic principles about aerospace power have stood the test of time and warfare. This book provides the reader with many of these time-tested ideas for consideration and reflection. Although Aerospace Power in the Twenty-First Century was written for future officers, individuals desiring a broad overview of aerospace power are invited to read, share, and discuss many of the ideas and thoughts presented here. Officers from other services will find that this introduction to air and space forces will give them a good grasp of aerospace power. More experienced aerospace leaders can use this book to revisit many of the issues that have affected air and space forces in the past and that might affect them in the future. Air Force officers will discover that Aerospace Power in the Twenty-First Century is a very timely and reflective resource for their professional libraries.