Comparative Study of KC-135 Operations in Vietnam, Desert Storm, and Allied Force: Historical Perspective on the Development of Air Refueling, Tanker Issues

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Technology, Aeronautics & Astronautics, History, Military, Aviation
Cover of the book Comparative Study of KC-135 Operations in Vietnam, Desert Storm, and Allied Force: Historical Perspective on the Development of Air Refueling, Tanker Issues by Progressive Management, Progressive Management
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Progressive Management ISBN: 9781311139733
Publisher: Progressive Management Publication: February 24, 2015
Imprint: Smashwords Edition Language: English
Author: Progressive Management
ISBN: 9781311139733
Publisher: Progressive Management
Publication: February 24, 2015
Imprint: Smashwords Edition
Language: English

This paper examines the operational employment of the KC-135 in three major conflicts. Air refueling is central not only to the tactical operations of a campaign, but the strategic goal of supporting two near simultaneous wars. The efficient management of the tanker fleet is required, to ensure the nation's ability to achieve that goal. Examining the three major combat operations the KC-135 has participated in provides some insight into the issues and potential solutions faced by previous commanders and planners. Learning those lessons may benefit future commanders.

An overall review of the development of air refueling in the United States reveals the influences that shaped the issues still surrounding the tanker force today. Justified under strategic support to the Single Integrated Operational Plan, the strategic implications of air refueling have put the KC-135 commanders at odds with the tactical commanders conducting the three air campaigns to one degree or another. An historical review of these three diverse air campaigns shows similarities in basing problems, the impact of weather, crew to aircraft ratios, and distance and air space limitations. It also reveals some differences in organizational design, supervision at the headquarters, and approaches to planning. In each case there was an initial effort to plan tankers against specific missions. In the earlier two conflicts, the planners adjusted this approach to treat the fuel available and required in the aggregate. Finally, very little information is collected to critically evaluate the efficiency of a tanker force, and the paper recommends some alternatives.

I. INTRODUCTION * General Issue * Problem Statement * Research Objectives * Research Questions * Research Limitations * Methodology Implications * II. LITERATURE REVIEW * Historical Perspective on the Development of Air Refueling * Overview of KC-135 Operations in Vietnam * Tanker Organization in the Vietnam War * Vietnam Basing Issues * Vietnam Air Refueling Policies and Restrictions * Vietnam Planning Factors * Track and Distance Information * Overview of KC-135 Operations in Desert Storm * KC-135 Basing Issues during Desert Shield/Desert Storm * The Organizational Structure for Desert Shield/Storm * Desert Shield/Storm Planning Factors * Airspace and Air Refueling Tracks * Overview of KC-135 Operations in Allied Force * The Impact of Weather on Operations * KC-135 Organizational Structure for Allied Force * Planning Factors * Air Refueling Tracks and Distances * III. ORGANIZATION OF THE TANKER OPERATIONS * IV. SUPERVISION OF TANKER OPERATIONS * V. THE PLANNING PROCESS * VI. CONCLUSION

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This paper examines the operational employment of the KC-135 in three major conflicts. Air refueling is central not only to the tactical operations of a campaign, but the strategic goal of supporting two near simultaneous wars. The efficient management of the tanker fleet is required, to ensure the nation's ability to achieve that goal. Examining the three major combat operations the KC-135 has participated in provides some insight into the issues and potential solutions faced by previous commanders and planners. Learning those lessons may benefit future commanders.

An overall review of the development of air refueling in the United States reveals the influences that shaped the issues still surrounding the tanker force today. Justified under strategic support to the Single Integrated Operational Plan, the strategic implications of air refueling have put the KC-135 commanders at odds with the tactical commanders conducting the three air campaigns to one degree or another. An historical review of these three diverse air campaigns shows similarities in basing problems, the impact of weather, crew to aircraft ratios, and distance and air space limitations. It also reveals some differences in organizational design, supervision at the headquarters, and approaches to planning. In each case there was an initial effort to plan tankers against specific missions. In the earlier two conflicts, the planners adjusted this approach to treat the fuel available and required in the aggregate. Finally, very little information is collected to critically evaluate the efficiency of a tanker force, and the paper recommends some alternatives.

I. INTRODUCTION * General Issue * Problem Statement * Research Objectives * Research Questions * Research Limitations * Methodology Implications * II. LITERATURE REVIEW * Historical Perspective on the Development of Air Refueling * Overview of KC-135 Operations in Vietnam * Tanker Organization in the Vietnam War * Vietnam Basing Issues * Vietnam Air Refueling Policies and Restrictions * Vietnam Planning Factors * Track and Distance Information * Overview of KC-135 Operations in Desert Storm * KC-135 Basing Issues during Desert Shield/Desert Storm * The Organizational Structure for Desert Shield/Storm * Desert Shield/Storm Planning Factors * Airspace and Air Refueling Tracks * Overview of KC-135 Operations in Allied Force * The Impact of Weather on Operations * KC-135 Organizational Structure for Allied Force * Planning Factors * Air Refueling Tracks and Distances * III. ORGANIZATION OF THE TANKER OPERATIONS * IV. SUPERVISION OF TANKER OPERATIONS * V. THE PLANNING PROCESS * VI. CONCLUSION

More books from Progressive Management

Cover of the book 21st Century FEMA Study Course: National Incident Management System (NIMS) Public Information (IS-702.a) - JIS, Public Information Officer (PIO), Voices of Experience, Lessons Learned by Progressive Management
Cover of the book An Organizational Assessment of the United States Military's Ability to Control the Electromagnetic Spectrum in the 21st Century: Electronic Warfare, Titan Rain Attack by Chinese Hackers by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century Understanding Cancer Toolkit: Cancer Causes and Prevention, Cancer and the Environment, Comprehensive Coverage of Specific Risk Factors and Prevention by Type and Organ System by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Radio to Free Europe: Armored Force Radio Development, Great Britain and the United States 1919-1941 - Signal Corps, Tank Radiotelephony, Radio Science, Wireless During the Great War by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Air Force Leadership Study: The Need for Deliberate Development - Leadership Concepts for Air Force Officers, Changes in Personnel and Education Policy by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Apollo Medical Operations Project: Recommendations to Improve Crew Health and Performance for Future Exploration Missions and Lunar Surface Operations - EVA, Food, Hygiene, Illness, Radiation Issues by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 2011 Official Dictionary of Nuclear, Radiation, and Radiological Terms and Acronyms: Nuclear Power Plants, Atomic Weapons, Military Stockpile, Radiation Medicine by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Advanced Manufacturing: National Strategic Plan, Manufacturing Innovation, Infrastructure and Facilities, Additive (3D) Manufacturing, National Bioeconomy Blueprint, Domestic Technology by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Biplanes and Bombsights: British Bombing in World War I - Sopwith Strutter, Zeppelin, Dehavilland, Handley Page, General Hugh Trenchard, Lord Rothermere by Progressive Management
Cover of the book NSA Surveillance Controversy: Liberty and Security in a Changing World - Report and Recommendations of The President's Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technologies by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 2011 Complete Guide to Spent Nuclear Fuel Pool Risks at Nuclear Power Plants: NRC Reports on Spent Fuel Rods, Zircaloy Fires, Mitigation Measures, Crisis at Japan's TEPCO Fukushima Power Plant by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 2011 Essential Guide to the Muslim Brotherhood (Al-Ikhwan): Authoritative Information and Analysis - From Origins in Egypt to Role in Terrorism, Hamas, Jihad, Egyptian Islamic Radicalism and Uprising, Syria by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Nuclear Weapons and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) - 2012 Issues with Weapon Limitations, Stockpile Surveillance Program, Management and Oversight by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The Army and Its Air Corps: Army Policy toward Aviation 1919-1941 - Billy Mitchell, Boeing B-17, Douglas B-7, Charles A. Lindbergh, Henry Hap Arnold, Fokker F-2, Frear Committee by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Marine Advisors With the Vietnamese Marine Corps: Selected Documents prepared by the U.S. Marine Advisory Unit, Naval Advisory Group, Vietnam War History by Progressive Management
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy