What Happened
Airliners Provide Critical Airlift Capacity In Emergencies
The US Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) is a program that allows the US military to call upon commercial airlines for airlift support in emergencies. The program, established in 1952, includes aircraft from major US legacy carriers, which are contractually obligated to provide support when needed. The CRAF has been activated three times since the Cold War, including during the Gulf War and the evacuation of Afghanistan. According to Simple Flying, the program provides the US military with critical surge capacity and allows airlines to participate in peacetime military cargo and passenger transport business.