Book Description

This report examines options for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of intratheater airlift operations within the military joint end-to-end multimodal movement system. The intratheater system, which serves the needs of deploying, redeploying, and sustaining forces during contingency operations, is part of the airlift component of the joint movement system. This report discusses the application of an expanded strategies-to-tasks (STT) decision support framework to Central Command's (CENTCOM's) theater distribution planning and execution. RAND uses the expanded STT framework to identify shortfalls and suggest, describe, and evaluate options for implementing improvements in current processes, organizations, doctrine, training, and systems. Specifically, they apply the framework to aid in improving planning and execution activities associated with developing airlift movement options in building and managing joint multimodal contingency movement networks. While the analysis centers on CENTCOM, the methodology and recommendations are relevant to other commands as well. The research for this report was completed in October 2004. The report should be of interest to combatant commanders and their staffs, mobility planners, logisticians, and planners throughout the Department of Defense (DoD), especially those in the Air Force and U.S. Transportation Command. The report is one of a series of RAND reports that address agile combat support issues in implementing the Aerospace Expeditionary Force (AEF).