C-5 Channel Delays

The C-5 Galaxy is a key contributor to channel mission success, but delays have plagued operations and reduced the effectiveness and efficiency of deliveries to the warfighter. Inappropriate manning levels and performance measurement techniques have hampered maintenance efforts at home-station and enroute locations. Additionally, current mission management practices increase the perception of unreliability in the C-5. However, even when considering only new and unique situations, the Galaxy has an inordinate number of crew and maintenance delays that are characterized by an excessive severity. This research attempted to establish a correlation between the propagation and severity of C-5 mission delays in the channel system and five distinct (but not independent) variables. The variables considered were aircraft type, aircraft home station, aircrew service component, departure location, and combat status. The researcher was unable to demonstrate a correlation with any level of significance. However, the results set a baseline for comparison between mission variables and provide inputs to a tool that can be used to predict the severity of delays that may occur. The researcher developed an Excel-based instrument that uses historical data to predict delay severity based on given values for only those variables considered in this study.