Dissertation Improving the Cost Efficiency and Readiness of MC-130 Aircrew Training A Case Study Sarah E. Evans This document was submitted as a dissertation in September 2015 in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the doctoral degree in public policy analysis at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. The faculty committee that supervised and approved the dissertation consisted of Brien Alkire (Chair), Anthony Rosello, and James Bigelow. PARDEE RAND GRADUATE SCHOOL For more information on this publication, visit www.rand.org/pubs/rgs_dissertations/RGSD364.html Published by the RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, Calif. © Copyright 2015 RAND Corporation R® is a registered trademark. Limited Print and Electronic Distribution Rights This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. This representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for noncommercial use only. Unauthorized posting of this publication online is prohibited. Permission is given to duplicate this document for personal use only, as long as it is unaltered and complete. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of its research documents for commercial use. For information on reprint and linking permissions, please visit www.rand.org/pubs/permissions.html. The RAND Corporation is a research organization that develops solutions to public policy challenges to help make communities throughout the world safer and more secure, healthier and more prosperous. RAND is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and committed to the public interest. RAND’s publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors. Support RAND Make a tax-deductible charitable contribution at www.rand.org/giving/contribute www.rand.org Abstract The MC-130 is a multi-role aircraft which plays a vital role in both times of war and peace as a key enabler of U.S. Special Operations Forces. Readiness training is particularly important for this asset, which must be ready to deploy at all times. As the U.S. Military budget decreases, the costs of training policy alternatives must be carefully evaluated to maximize readiness with the available resources. The purpose of this research is to inform decision makers about the respective effects on costs and readiness of existing and potential MC-130 aircrew continuation training policies. Frequency and duration of sorties, having a colocated simulator, the proportion of temporary duty training, and role specialization were investigated in this research. In order to accomplish this goal a literature review was conducted and a data gathering internship was carried out in the 353rd Special Operations Group at Kadena Airbase, Japan. Using the information gathered an integer linear optimization model was developed along with feasible model inputs. Cost analysis was performed for each of the policies in a variety of scenarios. Increasing the proportion of temporary duty training, and implementing role specialization policies were found to be favorable alternatives in some cases. Having a colocated simulator was found to provide the most significant savings for continuation training overall. iii Table of Contents Abstract .......................................................................................................................................... iii Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................ v Figures............................................................................................................................................ xi Tables ........................................................................................................................................... xiii Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................... xv Acknowledgments....................................................................................................................... xvii Abbreviations ............................................................................................................................... xix Chapter 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1 SOF and the MC-130 Are Low Density High Demand Assets with a Joint and International Focus ...... 1 Research Goal ........................................................................................................................................... 3 Research Questions .................................................................................................................................. 4 Approach .................................................................................................................................................. 4 Scope of the Study .................................................................................................................................... 5 Organization of this Document................................................................................................................. 5 Chapter 2. MC-130 Background ..................................................................................................... 7 About SOCOM ......................................................................................................................................... 7 Irregular Warfare Increases Demands on SOCOM .................................................................................. 8 Readiness is More Important than Ever ................................................................................................. 10 v Why It Is Important to Study Low Density High Demand Assets ......................................................... 13 Chapter Summary ................................................................................................................................... 16 Chapter 3. Aircrew Training and the MC-130 .............................................................................. 18 About the MC-130 .................................................................................................................................. 18 Crew Positions and Squadron Jobs ......................................................................................................... 18 MC-130 Aircrew Continuation Training ................................................................................................ 19 Goals of the Training .............................................................................................................................. 20 Components of the Training ................................................................................................................... 21 Current Process for Scheduling Training ............................................................................................... 22 Key Factors That Influence MC-130 Aircrew Continuation Training ................................................... 23 Aircraft Limitations ............................................................................................................................ 23 Attrition .............................................................................................................................................. 24 Resource Availability ......................................................................................................................... 25 Policy Alternatives Available for Improving MC-130 Aircrew Training .............................................. 28 Chapter Summary ................................................................................................................................... 29 Chapter 4. Methodology ............................................................................................................... 31 The Literature Review ............................................................................................................................ 31 The Internship and Information-Gathering ............................................................................................. 35 Quantifying the Flight Planning Heuristic to Determine Sortie Feasibility ........................................... 37 Training Requirements ........................................................................................................................... 38 Combining Categories into Sorties ......................................................................................................... 40 vi Aircraft Limitations and Configurations ................................................................................................ 41 A Neutral Imaginary World .................................................................................................................... 47 Traveling Salesperson Problem .............................................................................................................. 49 The Model is a Vantage Point from Which to Make Inferences ............................................................ 51 Optimization Model ................................................................................................................................ 52 Baseline Objective Function ................................................................................................................... 53 Basic Model