Many airline pilots these days have never served in the military. But did you know that in the event of a crisis, they could be called upon to fly in direct support of U.S. military operations? Enter CRAF.
With the conflict involving Iran on everyone’s minds and the President requesting 1.5 trillion dollars for the next budget cycle, many civilian pilots and military personnel alike are wondering what that could mean for the future of commercial aviation. It’s the sort of plot twist your career doesn’t exactly advertise during the hiring interview.
CRAF: On-call support for contingencies
There is one fascinating and little-known program that could rapidly turn U.S. commercial airliners into troop and cargo movers. It is called the Civil Reserve Air Fleet, or CRAF. It is a voluntary partnership between the Department of War and commercial airlines that has been in place since 1951. U.S. Transportation Command runs the program from Scott Air Force Base in Illinois.
CRAF organizes aircraft into segments based on the type of work they can perform. The international segment includes long-range aircraft capable of transoceanic operations to move troops and heavy cargo. It also includes short-range aircraft that handle medium-haul trips for near-offshore and select intra-theater missions.
The national segment covers domestic movements inside the United States. This structure gives the military flexible airlift options without overusing its own heavy-lift C-5s and C-17s. After all, even the Air Force appreciates a little help staying on schedule.
Roughly two dozen U.S. airlines participate. They include American, Delta, United, Atlas, FedEx, UPS, Kalitta, Omni, Polar, Alaska, JetBlue, Sun Country, Southwest, Allegiant, and others. The total committed fleet usually numbers around 450 aircraft, though the exact mix changes from month to month. And the best part? Chili Mac MREs! Just kidding!
How CRAF Works
The benefit to CRAF is that airlines are offered preferential DoW contracts even in peacetime. During conflicts (which can affect airline profitability significantly), CRAF offers a guaranteed revenue pipeline while supporting the nation when required.
Activation happens in three stages approved by the Secretary of War.
Stage I covers smaller regional crises or humanitarian and disaster relief needs. Stage II supports a major theater war. Stage III applies during full national mobilization. When activated, airlines have between 24 and 72 hours to prepare the assigned aircraft and qualified crews. The planes remain under civilian registration and Federal Aviation Administration oversight. You’d remain an airline employee and The Department of War just pays your company for the actual flight hours. Just go easy on the “there I was” stories at your next family reunion. You’re still a POG, albeit a highly paid one.
CRAF Activation Stages
- Stage I (minor regional crises or humanitarian needs): Used in 2021 for the Afghanistan evacuation to move evacuees from safe staging bases.
- Stage II (major theater war): Activated during the 1990-1991 Gulf War for large-scale troop and cargo transport to the Middle East.
- Stage III (full national mobilization): Would apply in a large-scale global conflict on the scale of a potential World War III scenario to provide maximum commercial airlift capacity.
CRAF Has Been Used Before
The program has been activated exactly three times in its history. During Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990 and 1991, CRAF aircraft flew more than 5,460 missions, transported about 726,000 passengers, and moved about 230,000 tons of cargo. In 2003, it supported Operation Iraqi Freedom with Stage I passenger missions.
In 2021, Stage I helped with the Afghanistan evacuation. About 18 aircraft carried people from safe havens and staging bases, allowing military planes to focus on the most critical legs. Not a bad track record for a system that dates back to the Truman administration.
For pilots, especially younger ones, the rules are straightforward. CRAF missions are flown by the airline’s current crews under normal employment contracts. No pilot is drafted or conscripted through this program, but that doesn’t mean that some of you can’t break ranks and join up. For those who want to go to full military power after snagging the three wire, we salute you!
Crew assignments follow each carrier’s procedures and union agreements, and the airline meets its contractual commitment to supply planes and people. Any future military draft, if one were ever reinstated, would be handled separately by the Selective Service System, with no direct tie to, or exemption via, CRAF participation.
Official Department of War and Air Mobility Command requirements also state that all flight-deck crewmembers on activated CRAF missions must be U.S. citizens. Even if a pilot holds permanent resident status and flies for a participating airline, they cannot be assigned to CRAF missions.
Brief Examples of CRAF Segments
- Long-range international: Wide-body passenger and cargo jets flying troops and supplies on transoceanic routes from the continental United States to major overseas bases.
- Short-range international: Medium-sized aircraft performing medium-haul support flights for near-offshore or select intra-theater needs.
- National/domestic: Aircraft handling personnel and cargo movements entirely inside the United States.
So, as the world watches the Middle East with growing concern, and pilots nervously discuss outcomes, the fact is that commercial aviation is itself a national asset and one that can be and has been used to great effect during previous conflicts and is always an option. Trust me. It’s one mission you’ll never forget!
As always, seniority is everything!
