Civil Reserve Air Fleet

Civil Reserve Air Fleet
Unit name	Civil Reserve Air Fleet
Dates	1951–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Department of Defense
Type	Airlift
Role	Augmentation of military airlift
Size	~450 aircraft
Command structure	United States Transportation Command, United States Air Force Air Mobility Command
Nickname	CRAF
Battles	Gulf War, War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), Iraq War

Civil Reserve Air Fleet. The Civil Reserve Air Fleet is a United States program that partners commercial aviation resources with the United States Department of Defense to provide airlift capacity during national emergencies. Established in the early Cold War, it represents a critical public-private partnership for national security. The fleet consists of aircraft from participating U.S. airlines, which can be activated to support United States Transportation Command and United States Air Force Air Mobility Command missions.

Overview

The program is a cornerstone of the nation's strategic mobility, designed to augment organic military airlift assets like those operated by the Air Mobility Command. It ensures the Department of Defense has assured access to commercial aircraft and crews for transporting personnel, equipment, and supplies. This arrangement is governed by contracts and incentives, providing airlines with peacetime business in exchange for commitment during crises. The structure is divided into segments supporting different mission types, including long-range international, short-range, and aeromedical evacuation needs.

History

The concept was formalized in 1951 following lessons learned from the Berlin Airlift, which heavily utilized civilian aircraft. President Harry S. Truman officially established it via executive order to address airlift shortfalls identified during the Korean War. Throughout the Cold War, it served as a key deterrent and readiness component against the Soviet Union. The fleet saw its first major activation during the Gulf War in 1990-1991, proving its vital role in large-scale force projection. Subsequent activations occurred for the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) and the Iraq War.

Structure and organization

The fleet is segmented into three main tiers: the International Segment, the National Segment, and the Aeromedical Evacuation Segment. The International Segment, further divided into Long-Range and Short-Range sections, contains the largest and most capable aircraft for overseas operations. Management and coordination are the responsibilities of United States Transportation Command and the Air Mobility Command. Participating airlines sign voluntary contracts with the Department of Defense, agreeing to specific activation procedures and committing designated aircraft.

Activation and operations

Activation occurs in stages, from a voluntary call-up in Stage I to a full presidential order under the Defense Production Act of 1950 in Stage III. The decision rests with the Secretary of Defense and ultimately the President of the United States. When activated, aircraft and crews come under the control of the Department of Defense for defined missions, often operating from designated aerial ports of embarkation like Travis Air Force Base or Charleston Air Force Base. Operations are integrated with those of active duty units such as the 436th Airlift Wing and the 437th Airlift Wing.

Participating airlines and aircraft

Major U.S. passenger and cargo carriers participate, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, FedEx Express, and Atlas Air. Committed aircraft are typically wide-body jets like the Boeing 777, Boeing 767, Boeing 747, and McDonnell Douglas MD-11. These aircraft are selected from airline fleets based on their suitability for military cargo and passenger configurations. The program maintains a roster of over 400 aircraft from more than two dozen airlines, ensuring a diverse and capable reserve.

Significance and impact

The program provides a cost-effective force multiplier for the United States Armed Forces, avoiding the enormous expense of maintaining a comparable standing military fleet. It strengthens the domestic aviation industry by providing stable contractual revenue. The partnership enhances total national readiness, a concept tested during operations like Desert Shield and Operation Enduring Freedom. It remains a critical element of power projection and rapid global mobility, underpinning strategies outlined by entities like the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and United States Central Command.

Category:United States Department of Defense Category:Aviation in the United States Category:Logistics of the United States Armed Forces