Between fiscal years 1996 and 2011, Air Force expenditures on aircraft operating and support (O&S) costs grew at above-inflation rates, despite reductions in the overall size of the Air Force fleet. To understand why, in fiscal years (FYs) 2012 and 2013 the Air Force commissioned RAND analyses of O&S cost trends. This executive summary describes key findings from the FY 2012–2013 analyses; discusses recent Air Force efforts to mitigate, and hopefully reduce, the largest categories of O&S costs; and recommends additional actions for Air Force leadership consideration.
Michael Boito,Thomas Light,Patrick Mills,et al. Managing U.S. Air Force Aircraft Operating and Support Costs: Insights from Recent RAND Analysis and Opportunities for the Future. 2016-01-01.