Customer Discipline Paramount for Ensuring Efficient Airlift Operations.

摘要

This paper explains, in detail, why discipline within the strategic airlift system is paramount for ensuring efficiency. The specific focus of the paper is customer discipline and its impact on efficiency. In supporting the thesis, the history of the airlift system is examined and the trial and error evolution to today's tactics, techniques, and procedures are explored. The next requirement in building the case for efficiency is a firm understanding of the Joint Operations Planning and Execution System (JOPES) and the responsibilities of the customer, from providing movement data to offloading passengers and cargo at the aerial port of debarkation (APOD) culminating the deployment. Case studies examining the successes and failures of the strategic airlift system in JUST CAUSE and DESERT SHIELD/STORM provide the vehicle to fully examine and exploit the role of customer discipline. The corrective actions and system improvements taken since 1991 are fully explored, further supporting the maturity of the airlift and planning systems. Customer discipline is paramount to efficiency in airlift operations and after action reports are filled with supporting facts. This paper examines where we have been and our current efforts in maximizing efficiency in airlift operations.