Department of Defense
INSTRUCTION
NUMBER 4500.43
May 18, 2011
Incorporating Change 2, October 31, 2017
USD(AT&L)
SUBJECT: Operational Support Airlift (OSA)
References: See Enclosure 1
1. PURPOSE. This Instruction reissues DoD Directive (DoDD) 4500.43 (Reference (a)) as a
DoD Instruction (DoDI) in accordance with the authority in DoDD 5134.01 (Reference (b)) to:
a. Establish policy, assign responsibilities, and provide procedures for the use of OSA
aircraft.
b. Supplement the guidance for use of OSA aircraft in DoDD 4500.56 (Reference (c)),
DoDD 4500.09E (Reference (d)) and the policy in Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Circular A-126 (Reference (e)).
c. Assist the DoD Components in developing guidance and procedures for the use of OSA
aircraft.
d. Revises the OSA requirements validation criteria.
e. Tasks the Commander, U.S. Transportation Command (CDRUSTRANSCOM) with the
responsibility to establish and implement a DoD-wide OSA common movement management
system.
2. APPLICABILITY. This Instruction:
a. Applies to OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the Inspector General of the
Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all other
organizational entities within the Department of Defense (hereafter referred to collectively as the
“DoD Components”).
b. Does NOT apply to:
(1) Aircraft assigned to Marine Helicopter Squadron-1 and aircraft assigned to the 89th
Airlift Wing in support of Presidential airlift missions.
