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Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine an issue of critical importance to America's national security. The Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) is a public/private partnership between US air carriers and the Department of Defense (DOD) for the provision of contingency airlift services to the military in times of national need. Formed in 1951, the CRAF has only been activated twice, but it has continued to be a source of emergency air transportation should the nation require resources beyond those available from the US Air Force. Sweeping changes occurring in global trade, commercial aviation, national defense policy and foreign relations suggest that changes will be needed to maintain the CRAF as a strategic defense transportation resource.


Design/methodology/approach
This paper examines the long-standing national policy of relying on commercial interests to provide contingency transportation to the DOD in wartime. The CRAF will be singled out for closer examination in light of environmental changes occurring in the airline industry, international trade and global threats to the nation. The purpose of this analysis is to then assess the partnership's ability to remain relevant in an uncertain future.


Findings
First, commercial cargo aircraft are downsizing thereby becoming less useful to the DOD. Second, there is no new wide-body military airlifter on the horizon. Third, threats from hostile nations are becoming more indirect and subtle, requiring planners to think "outside the box" when assessing the need for strategic airlift over the next 20-50 years.


Originality/value
The CRAF has not fundamentally changed since its inception in 1951. The time has come to reexamine the partnership to ensure that it remains America's emergency lifeline.

As American firms formulate competitive strategies
for the 1990s and beyond they are realising that
significant profit opportunities exist outside the
United States. As managers deal with globalising
their logistics systems to support overseas marketing
efforts transportation becomes an extremely
important factor. The readiness of the US
transportation system to support the growing global
logistics needs of American business is examined.
The authors conclude that with few exceptions
the US international freight transport industry
cannot meet the challenges presented by the rapid
globalisation of the marketplace.