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Aircrew fatigue during Desert Shield C-5 transport operations
R U Bisson1, T J Lyons, C Hatsel
1Armstrong Laboratory, Brooks, AFB, TX.
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|September 1, 1993
Summary
Operation Desert Shield highlighted that U.S. Air Force crew rest metrics are inadequate for surge operations. Fatigue factors like sleep, duty cycles, and scheduling significantly impact crew alertness during extended missions.
Area of Science:
- Aerospace Medicine
- Operational Physiology
- Human Factors in Aviation
Background:
- Current U.S. Air Force crew rest and flight duty limitations were not optimized for surge operations.
- Operation Desert Shield presented a unique scenario to study crew fatigue and stressors in C-5 airlift operations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of acute and cumulative fatigue on airlift crew members during surge operations.
- To identify key factors contributing to fatigue and reduced alertness in aircrews.
Main Methods:
- In-flight, over-the-shoulder observations were conducted on 24 C-5 airlift crew members.
- Data collection focused on sleep history, duty cycles, subjective fatigue, scheduling, nutrition, and billeting.
Main Results:
- Sleep history, duty cycles, subjective fatigue, scheduling, nutrition, and billeting were identified as significant contributors to fatigue.
- These factors collectively led to lower levels of alertness among the observed aircrew.
Conclusions:
- Existing crew rest metrics require revision to effectively manage fatigue during extended surge operations.
- Aeromedical lessons from Operation Desert Shield can inform the development of fatigue management and alertness enhancement doctrine.