UAS Shift Work Schedule

              As a human factors consultant for the MQ-1B squadron for the United States Air Force (USAF) this paper will attempt to address concerns of fatigue brought to the attention of the squadron’s Commanding Officer (CO).  Figure [1], has been submitted on behalf of the MQ-1B squadron outlining current operations.

“Fatigue is a condition characterized by increased discomfort with lessened capacity for work, reduced efficiency of accomplishment, loss of power or capacity to respond to stimulation, and is usually accompanied by a feeling of weariness and tiredness,” (Salazar).  Military life can lead to, “Late nights, deadlines, night-shift work, early briefs, time-zone travel, deployments, combat stress, and anxiety all compete for limited sleep time,” (Davenport, 2009).  These factors along with dealing with stresses of home life and collateral jobs create what is known as operational tempo (OPTEMPO).  “[C]ombat-aviation missions are presumably significantly more stressful than commercial air-transportation operations. For instance, although airline-transport pilots no doubt experience stress from their responsibility for the safety of up to 400 passengers, they are rarely targets of enemy aggression. Combat pilots, however, routinely perform their duties under imminent and palpable threats to their own safety and, in fact, their very lives,” (Caldwell, 2008).

Current OPTEMPO requires 3 shifts, Day, Swing, and Night.  Each team takes one particular shift for a 6 day week and then shifts the following week.  While this helps to create a circadian rhythm for the week, this is desynchronized the following week. By the end of the week as synchronization is happening, it is then changed again.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Proposal of the schedule in Figure [2], still has a 6 day work week stating with 2 Nights, 2 Swings, 2 Days shifts.  This schedule allows for a clockwise flowing shift change, allowing the body to adapt quicker and easier.  Additionally, since the week start on a Night shift and ends on a Day shift it allows for 78.5 hours off or 3.2 days of continuous time off.

Additionally, since this appears to be a high OPTEMPO environment, it is suggested that the CO seek advice from the flight surgeon on the USAF “Go, No Go” Program or the prescription use of stimulants and sedatives.  In this author’s opinion, having flown ISR missions for the United States Navy (USN), the prescription use of the sedatives can help in a high OPTEMPO environment.

References

Caldwell, J. A. (2008). Go Pills in Combat: Prejudice, Propriety, and Practicality. Air & Space Power Journal (Fall 2008). Retrieved from http://www.airpower.maxwell.af.mil/airchronicles/apj/apj08/fal08/caldwell.html

Davenport, N. (2009). MORE FATIGUE! (yawn). Approach, 54(3), 3. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.libproxy.db.erau.edu/docview/274584729?pq-origsite=summon

Salazar, G. Fatigue in Aviation. Federal Aviation Administration (Publication # OK-07-193) Retrieved from https://www.faa.gov/pilots/safety/pilotsafetybrochures/media/Fatigue_Aviation.pdf