Feasibility of Requalifying Yokota C-130s as Airland Only
Abstract
In 1997, the Air Mobility Command Commander convened a Tiger Team to develop a road map for C-130s. The command was concerned the C-130 was spending too much time training for its airdrop mission and not enough time flying revenue generating Transportation Working Capital Fund (TWCF) missions. Despite this concern, one of the primary recommendations in the Tiger Team report was to keep all C-130 aircrews 100% formation airdrop and airland qualified. The purpose of this paper is to examine the feasibility and impact of eliminating the airdrop qualification of C-130 aircrews at Yokota AB Japan. The paper investigates three questions in exploring this research problem. The first investigative question examines the feasibility of combat delivery C-130s meeting wartime requirements if Yokota is requalified as airland only. The second investigative question examines if requalifying Yokota C-130s risks the Pacific TWCF and Joint Airborne/Air Transportability Training (JA/ATT) peacetime requirements. The final investigative question examines the impact requalifying Yokota has on training requirements and whether or not Yokota needs to fence training aircraft. In the end, the paper concludes that it is feasible to requalifying Yokota as airland only. The theater Commander in Chief (CINC) still has an effective force to meet all wartime requirements and an increased capability to meet peacetime requirements. At the same time, the requirements are met more efficiently, as savings are realized through reduced training and deployment costs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA433205
Entities
People
- Michael J. Bauer
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology