Coronet vs. Cargo

The Air Mobility Command (AMC) tanker force is heavily tasked moving fighter units on Coronets (missions to and from exercises, deployments and redeployments). Many of these missions have legs that are not utilized by the fighter units and that leave the tanker flying intratheater without off loading any fuel or carrying any cargo. In this age of decreased resources and increased workload, AMC needs to have a process in place that can take advantage of these unused legs to the maximum extent. By changing the way that Coronets are planned and by adding cargo hubs as stops in these "empty legs," AMC may be able to reduce the number of cargo aircraft required in the mobility system and reduce the number of underutilized flying hours on the tanker. This research utilizes data from Tanker Activity Reports to validate the theory that AMC is not fully utilizing tankers to their maximum capabilities. After reviewing all of the data, processes and costs associated with operating various mission types, the research provides recommendations for adjusting the current scheduling process. This research shows a trend in the underutilization of the tanker's ability to carry cargo. This lost pool of resources will continue to grow as the KC-135 is phased out of service and the enhanced capabilities of the KC-X are brought online.