UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS: Air Force Pilot Promotions Rates Have Increased but Oversight Process of Some Positions Could Be Enhanced
Abstract
An increasing number of Air Force missions use unmanned aerial systems, or RPAs, to provide their specialized capabilities in support of combat operations. The demand for crew members for these systems has grown rapidly. For example, RPA pilot requirements increased by 76 percent since fiscal year 2013 while those for fighter pilots stayed about the same. These requirements include pilots who serve in non-operational staff positions, such as trainers. Senate Report 115-125 included a provision that GAO review career advancement for Air Force RPA pilots compared to other pilots. This report, among other things, describes (1) the rates that RPA and other pilots were promoted; (2) the rates that nonoperational staff positions requiring RPA pilot expertise were assigned to various organizations, and (3) the extent to which the Air Force has reviewed its oversight process to effectively manage non-operational staff positions requiring aviator expertise. Among other things, GAO analyzed Air Force pilot promotion data from 2006-2017. GAO also analyzed nonoperational staff position data from fiscal years 2013-2018 and interviewed officials regarding the management and oversight of these positions. GAO recommends that the Air Force review its oversight process for managing the non-operational staff positions, including those for RPA pilots, to identify opportunities to increase efficiencies. DOD concurred with this recommendation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1167813
Entities
People
- Amber Sinclair
- Amie Lesser
- Brenda S. Farrell
- Felicia Lopez
- Grant Mallie
- John Van Schaik
- Lori Atkinson
- Rebecca Beale
- Ricardo Marquez
- Richard Powelson
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office