This research examines United States (U.S.) national security, as it may be affected by the impact on strategic mobility of the deregulation of the transportation industry, with a specific focus on the effects of deregulation in the air transportation industry on the Civil Air Reserve Fleet (CARF). The topic is examined through (1) a definition of CARF, and an explanation of its role in strategic mobility, (2) an examination of the deregulation of the air transportation industry in the U.S., (3) the effects of deregulation, and (4) an assessment of the impact of the effects of deregulation on the CARF and strategic mobility.
CARF, AND ITS STRATEGIC MOBILITY ROLE
The CARF is a creation of the national airlift policy, which forges a common bond between the U.S. government, as represented by the Department of Defense (DOD), and the civil aviation industry, as represented by individual participating air carriers (Cohoon, 1989). Through contractual arrangements between DOD and individual air transportation carriers, "a fleet of pre-identified civil passenger and cargo aircraft" is "committed to supporting military strategic airlift requirements in emergencies" (p. 10).
The CARF includes "almost all of the wide-bodied jets operated by domestic U.S. airlines and roughly 170 commercial cargo planes" (Cohoon, 1989, p. 10). During an emergency, the aircraft in the CARF remain under the operational control of the individual air carriers; however, the missions for these aircraft are assigned by the Military Airlift Command of the United States Air Force. Thus, it is not just civilian aircraft which are a part of the CARF. Civilian pilots, ground crews, and other essential members of participating air carrier organizations are also included in the CARF (Cohoon, 1989).
Strategic mobility is achieved through a combination of airlift, sealift, and strategic positioning of personnel and equipment. The CARF provides a part of the a...