Submitting Campus

Daytona Beach

Department

Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology

Document Type

Report

Publication/Presentation Date

5-1992

Abstract/Description

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.

Location

Pensacola, FL

Number of Pages

40

Additional Information

AD-A258 156. NAMRL 1369. Dr. Shappell was not affiliated with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University at the time this report was published.

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