NCJ Number
146154
Date Published
1990
Length
10 pages
Annotation
The use of National Guard aircraft to fly drug law enforcement missions was studied, with emphasis on whether the use of National Guard helicopters unfairly displaces commercial operators who had previously performed such services.
Abstract
The analysis focused on 1990 and 1991 data from three States: California, Hawaii, and West Virginia. Results revealed that it was impossible to determine whether it was more economical for the government to have States use National Guard helicopters instead of commercial helicopters for counter-drug missions in 1990. During that year, the National Guard units absorbed the hours flown into their approved flying-hour program rather than increasing flying hours. However, for fiscal year 1991, the use of National Guard helicopters may result in added costs to the government. Determining cost-effectiveness would depend on factors such as the type of mission flown, the type of military helicopter used, and the price quoted by commercial operators for the specific mission. Table