NCJ Number
151567
Date Published
1990
Length
10 pages
Annotation
The U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) investigated whether it is more economical for the Federal Government to use State National Guard helicopters or commercially contracted helicopters to fly counter-drug missions.
Abstract
GAO investigators visited three States, where they learned that, in 1990, National Guard units in those States did not increase their flying-hour program to fly counter-drug missions, but rather absorbed those hours within previously approved programs. As a result, the Federal Government probably did not incur additional expenses for using National Guard helicopters for those activities, where additional expenses would have been incurred had commercially contracted helicopters been used. If, however, the National Guard begins to set aside additional hours to perform counter-drug missions, the Federal Government will have to reassess the cost effectiveness of using National Guard helicopters. The GAO also found that the Department of Defense Authorization Act does not require that cost analyses be prepared to determine the cost effectiveness of using commercial or government aircraft for drug surveillance and eradication. Nor does OMB Circular A-126 apply to the use of National Guard helicopters for these functions. 1 table, 2 notes, and 1 appendix