Evacuees board an Atlas Air aircraft for a departure flight from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on their way to the United States as part of Operations Allies Refuge, Aug. 24, 2021. Ramstein, a transit location for evacuees from Afghanistan, provided temporary lodging, food, medical services and treatment while they awaited transportation to the United States. Nearly 48 hours after the operation began, more than 7,000 evacuees have landed at Ramstein. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Edgar Grimaldo)
U.S. Army Lt. Gen. John Sullivan, U.S. Transportation Command Deputy Commander, and Air Force Lt. Gen. Randall Reed, Air Mobility Command Deputy Commander, discuss the highlights of the CRAF EWG.
CRAF EWG participants discuss challenges and solutions associated with air logistics of today.
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SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. — U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) hosted government and commercial airline leaders June 5, to discuss strategic airlift readiness and to continue strengthening partnerships.
USTRANSCOM Deputy Commander Army Lt. Gen. John Sullivan co-chaired the biannual Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) Executive Working Group (EWG) with Air Mobility Command Deputy Commander Air Force Lt. Gen. Randall Reed.
Commenting about the relationship of the working group, Reed said that “these conversations are always open, frank and free — not always agreeing on the same approach but always in agreement for the same outcome.”
The meeting included classified and unclassified sessions focusing on cybersecurity concerns, military operations, patient movement support and more. Current events informed discussions about possible scenarios, highlighting the value of the collaboration between DOD and the commercial aviation industry.
“These are the types of issues we’re trying to wrap our arms around in the event face a near-peer adversary,” said USTRANSCOM Director of Operations Air Force Maj. Gen. Daniel Tulley.
Kept relevant through consistent attention, CRAF has been activated only three times since it was founded upon the Defense Production Act of 1950. It was last activated during the 2021 non-combatant evacuation operation of Afghanistan, a feat of excellence recognized by induction into the Airlift Tanker Association Hall of Fame at the beginning of this EWG.
The program enables select aircraft from U.S. airlines to supplement DOD airlift requirements during domestic emergencies and international threats to national security.
The airlines contractually pledge aircraft to the various segments of CRAF, ready for activation when needed. CRAF carriers can provide surge capacity through volunteerism; and DOD only considers CRAF activation when volunteerism cannot close the gap between organic capacity and requirements.
There are three stages, or scenarios, in which CRAF would be activated:
— Stage I: For minor regional crises and humanitarian aid or disaster relief efforts.
— Stage II: For major theater wars.
— Stage III: For periods of national mobilization.
The commander of USTRANSCOM — with approval from the Secretary of Defense — has the activation authority for all three stages. Each stage of the CRAF activation is only used to the extent necessary to provide the amount of civil augmentation airlift needed by DOD. When the carrier is notified of CRAF activation, the carrier must have aircraft and qualified aircrews ready to support within 24 to 72 hours.
The biannual meeting concluded with a summary, due-outs and acknowledgement of the importance of CRAF as an emergency preparedness program.
“There are many areas around the world where we are able to meet requirements due to our commercial partners,” Sullivan said. “Our ability to avail ourselves of the capacity they bring to bear every day does not go unnoticed, or unappreciated,” said Sullivan.
Reed echoed Sullivan’s sentiment, saying, “I know when the nation asks us to go the first mile, we’re definitely ready for it.”
About USTRANSCOM
USTRANSCOM exists as a warfighting combatant command to project and sustain military power at a time and place of the nation’s choosing. Powered by dedicated men and women, USTRANSCOM underwrites the lethality of the Joint Force, advances American interests around the globe, and provides our nation's leaders with strategic flexibility to select from multiple options, while creating multiple dilemmas for our adversaries.
Editors note (June 7, 2024): Updated Tulley's quote for accuracy.
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