Summary

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO investigated the use of C-5 and other transport aircraft during military operations in Lebanon and Grenada and addressed various specific questions regarding the use of C-5 aircraft in the operations.

GAO found that the Military Airlift Command (MAC) used C-5, C-141, and C-130 transport aircraft in both operations. C-5 aircraft flew 25 missions in support of operations in Lebanon and 38 missions in support of operations in Grenada. The missions undertaken in support of operations in Lebanon carried cargo and the missions undertaken in support of operations in Grenada carried both cargo and passengers. Most of the cargo carried in support of operations in Lebanon was ammunition. Most of the cargo carried in support of operations in Grenada was Army helicopters. GAO found that use of C-5 rather than C-141 aircraft to carry the helicopters shortened the reassembly time necessary to ready the helicopters for use. In addition, GAO found that most of the cargo carried in support of both operations could have been carried by C-141 aircraft but that use of the C-141 aircraft would have complicated logistics planning for the operations.