Optimizing C-17 Pacific Basing
Abstract
Substantial savings may be realized by optimizing C-17 flight operations in the Pacific. Aligning the C-17 operating locations to the mission demand may reduce flight hour expenditure by decreasing the positioning and de-positioning requirements. This research paper evaluated C-17 missions in the Pacific during calendar years 2006 through 2012. JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, JB Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Yokota AB, Japan, and Travis AFB, California, were used as the four test bases for purposes of comparison and optimization. Based upon Transportation Working Capital Fund (TWCF) flight time expenditure, Yokota AB appears to be the optimal operating location for C-17s in the Pacific. If all C-17s operating on TWCF missions in the Pacific in 2006-2012 had operated from Yokota AB exclusively, but had still flown their missions otherwise identically, they would have flown 16,860 less hours. Based upon the FY14 TWCF rate for C-17s, that reduction would represent a savings to the DOD of almost $245 million in FY14 dollars. In particular, Channel, Contingency, and SAAM mission sets would all see flight time reductions when compared to the missions as they were actually flown. The changes would allow DOD to realize actual savings in TWCF dollars or service additional missions with C-17s.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2014
- Accession Number
- ADA602347
Entities
People
- Judd W. Baker
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology