Annual Report 2004-05

Outcome Four: Air Force Capabilities

Capability Performance Information

Output 4.4 Capability for Airlift Operations

The capability for airlift operations is provided by the Air Lift Group. The capability involves the provision of airlift aircraft, crews and weapon systems at the level of capability required to provide air logistics support, airborne operations, aeromedical evacuation, special operations, search and survivor assistance, VIP flights, air to air refuelling, navigator training and surveillance operations.

	Performance Targets	Performance
	Achieve levels of preparedness directed by Chief of the Defence Force for military response options with a warning time of less than 12 months.	Substantially achieved. Preparedness has been maintained for all airlift elements except for the B707. Limited B707 aircraft availability has impacted this capability.
	Achieve levels of training that maintain core skills and professional standards across all assigned warfare areas.	Substantially achieved. Most training objectives have been maintained with the exception that the limited availability of B707 has impacted some air to air refuelling training opportunities.
	24 C-130 - 16,000 flying hours.	24 C-130 - 13,502hrs (84 per cent) achieved. The underachievement was due to high operational tempo, limited aircraft serviceability and availability due to the aircraft modifications required for operations.
	14 DHC-4 Caribou - 5,080 flying hours.	14 DHC-4 - 3,038 hrs (60 per cent) achieved. The need to recover from Operation Anode combined with some maintenance issues, limited the achievement of the forecast rate of effort.
	4 B707 - 1,400 flying hours.	4 B707 - 1,262 hours (90 per cent) achieved. Major maintenance requirements and the age of the aircraft have significantly limited aircraft availability.
	2 Boeing 737 BBJ VIP aircraft - 1,200 flying hours.	2 Boeing 737 BBJ - 1,364 hours (113 per cent) achieved. The overachievement was largely due to increased domestic tasking.
	3 CL604 Challenger - 2,400 flying hours.	3 CL604 Challenger - 1,837 hours (77 per cent) achieved. Tasking was lover than planned, in part due to increased tasking of the 737 BBJ.
	7 B300 Navigator Training aircraft - 4,500 flying hours.	7 B300 Aircraft - 3,647 hours (81 per cent) achieved. Achievement of the forecast rate of effort was constrained by the combined effect of a shortage of personnel and lack of availability due to an aircraft modification program.