Improving African Fuel Availability in Support of Humanitarian Relief Operations.
Abstract
Airlift operations into Africa are fuel intensive due to the great distance from the U.S. to the Africa as well as size of Africa itself. Poor fuel infrastructure in Africa makes airlift operations increasingly difficult. United States European Command requested this study to examine methods for meeting the fuel requirement for a humanitarian relief operation in Africa. The three methods include air refueling as was done in Operation SUPPORT HOPE, a new initiative from United States European Command, and Offshore Petroleum Distribution System. Operation SUPPORT HOPE, humanitarian relief of Rwandan refugees, is examined for two reasons. First, it is the model for the expected airlift for just such an operation. Second, Operation SUPPORT HOPE was considered a success, so the methods may be the best possible solution. United States European Command's initiative is to either store fuel or contract for guaranteed fuel delivery at several locations in Africa. The final method examined is using the Offshore Petroleum Distribution System (OPDS). The OPDS is a specially equipped tanker ship capable of mooring four miles from shore and pumping aircraft fuel to the shore. The paper examines each option in terms of operational considerations and cost.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA372323
Entities
People
- Steven C. Dye
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology