Desert Express: Framework for Institutionalization of Express Airlift Procedures.

摘要

This study was sponsored by the Military Airlift Command to examine the Desert Express airlift channel used during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. The goal was to determine what changes or improvements should be made prior to formalizing Desert Express procedures into Department of Defense doctrine. The research method used was a Literature Review supported by an application of the Delphi Technique. The Literature Review reviewed past military express operations and current regulatory procedures to raise key issues. These issues were then presented to 19 airlift experts in two-separate rounds of written questionnaires. The research revealed that Desert Express was the latest example of a repeating trend in which a similar problem was solved using similar procedures used in past contingencies. The problem was aerial port backlogs caused by a shortfall of airlift assets, a lack of a preexisting plan, and a lack of movement control. Solutions were express airlifts and tighter movement control. The research found that while successful, Desert press suffered from operational control problems. Suggested improvements included the establishment of a stronger Supported Command Joint Transportation Board (JTB) and clearer lines of responsibilities between key participants. Airlift operations, Air transportation, Military transportation, National transportation system, Delphi techniques.