CRAF activated

[SpiderMan]

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Feb2003/b02082003_bt064-03.html


Not long now.

 

[runtofthelitter]

Pentagon Mobilizes Commercial Air Fleet
Reuters via Yahoo ^ | 2/8/03 | Jim Wolf


Pentagon Mobilizes Commercial Air Fleet

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Pentagon said on Saturday it was activating a rarely used program that would mobilize scores of U.S. commercial aircraft to meet heightened airlift needs ahead of a possible war with Iraq.

"This measure is necessary due to increased operations associated with the build-up of U.S. forces in the Persian Gulf region" for the looming war, a Defense Department statement said.

Authorized by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, the order marked only the second time that the military has mobilized the so-called Civil Reserve Air Fleet.

The program is a standby arrangement that lets the U.S. Transportation Command, headquartered at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, call on as many as hundreds of contractually committed aircraft and their crews to supplement military airlift capabilities.

Twenty-two airlines and their 78 commercial aircraft -- 47 passengers aircraft and 31 wide-body cargo carriers -- were covered under the "Stage 1" activation cleared by Rumsfeld.

Stage 1 is the lowest activation level. Stage 2 would involve more aircraft for a major regional conflict and Stage 3 could be declared for a full-fledged national mobilization.

SOME CARGO PLANES ON HOLD

Although authorized to mobilize the 78 aircraft, the Transportation Command was activating only 47 because volunteered commercial aircraft currently were meeting U.S. cargo airlift requirements, said Navy Capt. Steven Honda, a command spokesman.

If necessary, the 31 cargo planes covered by the order but not immediately activated could be called on later, he said.

The passenger participants in the initial stage are American Airlines, American Trans Air, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, North American Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Omni Air International, United Airlines, US Airways and World Airways, the Transportation Command said.

The cargo participants are Airborne Express, Air Transport International, Arrow Air, Atlas Air, DHL Airways, Evergreen International Airlines, FedEx Airlines, Gemini Air Cargo, Northwest Airlines, Omni Air International, Polar Air Cargo, Southern Air, UPS Airlines, and World Airways.

The reserve fleet, established in 1951, was used during the 1991 Gulf War to ferry troops and equipment abroad.

Under the program, the airlines contract to provide aircraft to the military in exchange for Pentagon peacetime business. Honda said the first such flights by aircraft other than those volunteered for military missions would begin on Tuesday.

 

[GuppyPuppy]

A few days ago on the hotline we were told that United could only provide 5 747's for the CRAF because they were short on 747 Captains.

Seems like the company and ALPA should work up a deal that would allow some of the typed F.O.'s to be upgraded to Captain on a temporary basis.

The company also said it might use some 777's for the airlift.

All those whales in VCV.....all dressed up and nowhere to go.



GP