Information on the Requirement for Strategic Airlift
Abstract
Several congressional committees have expressed concern about Air Force and Department of Defense plans to increase strategic airlift capability. GAO reviewed those capabilities, planned increases (airlift enhancement),and other programs to further expand airlift capability, costing about $13 billion. Current U.S. conventional defense posture is based partly on the need to transport troops and equipment to potential conflict areas throughout the world. National strategic policies pinpoint the European theater as the most critical area of concern. Specifically, military planners assume that the Warsaw Pact forces, because of certain advantages in geography and conventional capability, would strike first by launching a "blitzkrieg" type attack.Defense officials consider rapid deployment capability critical in deterring the actual outbreak of hostilities and in limiting initial Warsaw Pact advantages if war should occur. Airlift of additional U.S. forces and equipment would be the initial method of reinforcing forces already in Europe.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 08, 1976
- Accession Number
- AD1119083
Entities
People
- Elmer B. Staats
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office