Civil Reserve Air Fleet

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Air Mobility Command

Civil Reserve Air Fleet emblem

Troops of the 502nd Supply and Transportation Battalion arrive by a Civil Reserve Air Fleet aircraft to participate in the exercise Reforger 1980 - DPLA - 67de74692fd2e15feb92263d7d12aa4b

Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) is a cooperative, voluntary program between the United States Department of Defense (DoD) and the United States commercial air transport industry. Established in 1951, the program is designed to augment the DoD's airlift capability during times of war or national emergency. The CRAF plays a critical role in enhancing the military's ability to deploy troops, equipment, and supplies worldwide on short notice, thereby expanding the nation's military airlift capacity without the need for a corresponding increase in the military fleet.

Overview

The Civil Reserve Air Fleet is composed of civilian aircraft from U.S. airlines that have agreed to commit a portion of their fleets to the DoD in times of crisis. These aircraft remain in civilian service for commercial purposes but can be called upon to support defense transportation needs when required. The CRAF is divided into three segments: the International Long-Haul Segment, the Short-Haul Segment, and the Aeromedical Evacuation Segment, each serving distinct roles and requirements.

International Long-Haul Segment

This segment includes aircraft capable of transoceanic flights, providing the bulk of troop and cargo transportation capabilities to overseas locations.

Short-Haul Segment

Aircraft in this segment are used for shorter distances, primarily within a theater of operations, to move troops and cargo closer to their final destinations.

Aeromedical Evacuation Segment

This segment is dedicated to aircraft configured for or capable of being configured for the evacuation of wounded or ill military personnel and civilians from areas of conflict or natural disaster.

Participation

Participation in the CRAF is voluntary, but airlines that choose to participate must meet specific requirements set by the DoD, including the capability to convert their aircraft for military use within a designated time frame. In return, participating airlines are given preference in carrying peacetime cargo and passenger traffic for the DoD.

Activation

The President of the United States has the authority to activate the CRAF in times of national defense needs. Activation occurs in three stages, each escalating the number of aircraft committed to the DoD. Stage I is considered minor, Stage II is partial mobilization, and Stage III is full mobilization, involving the entire CRAF fleet.

History

The CRAF was established in the aftermath of the Berlin Airlift, which highlighted the military's need for greater airlift capabilities. Since its inception, the CRAF has been activated several times, including during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990-1991, Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, and for humanitarian missions such as the response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

Benefits and Challenges

The CRAF provides significant benefits to both the DoD and participating airlines. For the DoD, it offers a cost-effective way to augment airlift capacity without maintaining a vast fleet of cargo aircraft. For airlines, participation in the CRAF ensures a steady stream of government contracts and revenue. However, the program also faces challenges, including the need to balance military requirements with commercial operations and ensuring that aircraft and crews are ready for rapid conversion to military use when needed.