s fact while addressing civilian and military representatives of the Air Force Association on the Total Force, stating Our dependence on the total force ensures the taxpayer only pays for the additional capability when our nation needs it, during times of war or other major conflict. (AFPN) He went on to give an example of the savings: During Desert Storm, we activated 117 aircraft from CRAF which flew 20 percent of the total strategic airlift missions. The cost was 1.35 billion dollars vs. maintaining a military fleet [at a cost] of 4-5 billion dollarsgreat bargain (AFPN) Of course the commercial airlines have a lot to gain from the partnership also.4. To provide incentives for these carriers to commit to the program, AMC awards peacetime contracts to commercial airlines that support the program. Major Johnny Pyane, a C-141 pilot and an air carrier survey analyst at AMC headquarters, was quoted in an article by TSgt Kenneth Fidler, Air Mobility Command Public Affairs, Commercial fleet flies bulk of troops to Southwest Asia, as saying several commercial air carriers would be much smaller today if not for the military work they do. He went on to say because we are such a big part of their clientele, they really go the extra mile to provide higher quality of care. (Fidler) The presence of this total force is evident at Air Force bases throughout the world. 5. Most AMC bases today, share their runways and mission with their commercial counterparts. According to an USAF Fact Sheet on the Civil Reserve Air Fleet, As of Oct 1 1998, 35 carriers and 657 aircraft were enrolled in the CRAF. (USAF) Colonel Phillip S. Meilinger, USAF School of Advanced Airpower Studies, emphasizes this in his book 10 Propositions Regarding Air Power: Air Power includes not only military assets, but an aerospace industry and commercial aviation. (Merilinger:61) The commercial airlines augment AMC in all aspects of passenger and cargo airlift capabilities.6. The ...
