Summary: The National Military Strategy calls for fighting and winning two nearly simultaneous wars. The Defense Department (DOD) lacks sufficient airlift and aerial refueling capability to meet this requirement because many aircraft are not mission ready. It is estimated that DOD is short over 29 percent of the needed military airlift capability and nearly 19 percent of the needed refueling aircraft. The Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff estimates that, due to airlift shortfalls, military forces would arrive later than planned, thereby increasing the risk that war plans could not be executed and casualties could increase. Air Force Headquarters officials attribute the shortfalls in airlift and aerial refueling capability primarily to the age of the aircraft and spare parts shortages. The C-5 fleet ranges in age between 10 to 30 years and the K-135 fleet averages 39 years old. The Air Mobility Command is considering spending $18 billion through fiscal year 2012 on airlift and refueling aircraft. However, the results of ongoing DOD studies reevaluating airlift and refueling could increase future requirements, change budget priorities, and lead to the procurement of more aircraft.
