The Effect of Combat on Aircrew Subjective Readiness and LSO Grades During Operation Desert Shield/Storm

Scott A. Shappell, David F. Neri

Research output: Other contribution

Abstract

The effect of operational tasking on aircrew readiness during combat operations continues to be an area of intense investigation within the U.S. Navy. The recent Persian Gulf War provided a unique opportunity to collect data examining aircrew work/rest cycles and operational tasking in a combat environment. For 4 consecutive weeks during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, 18 A-6 and 18 F-14 aviators onboard the USS AMERICA (CV-66) completed daily work/rest logs of their activities while conducting operations from the Red Sea. Activities on the work/rest logs were coded to a resolution of one-half hour. Several flight parameters were also obtained including: 1) takeoff and landing time, 2) flight duration, 3) mission type, 4) consecutive days during which a flight occurred, 5) landing signal officer (LSO) scores, and 6) arresting wire engaged on landing. In addition, after each mission aircrew provided a subjective assessment of the amount of time that they needed to rest before another air-to-ground strike mission could be flown (a measure of subjective readiness). Multiple regression analysis indicates that flight duration, the number of flights per day, and the time-of-day that the flight occurred, impact heavily on subjective evaluations of aircrew readiness. Few consistent relationships were observed between the independent measures and LSO grades. The data obtained here represent a unique look at aircrew work/rest patterns as they effect aircrew readiness during armed conflict. These data provide unique and valuable information to air wing commanders and senior mission planners when tasking carrier-based aviators. In addition, these data provide an essential database for squadron and air wing flight surgeons to draw upon when assessing aircrew readiness.

Original languageAmerican English
StatePublished - May 1 1992
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • combat operations
  • landing performance
  • aircrew readiness
  • Operation Desert Shield/Storm

Disciplines

  • Human Factors Psychology

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