AMC's Phoenix Mobility Program: Gaining 'new perspectives'

Published Aug. 25, 2009
By Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- As a career KC-10 Extender pilot, Maj. Jay Johnson knows the required routine after completing a flying mission.

The routine might usually end with a stop at one of his base's flying squadrons, but for him that stop would be at a different unit -- a contingency response unit. Why? Because Major Johnson's job isn't mainly to fly planes -- it's to lead Airmen in the 571st Global Mobility Readiness Squadron at Travis AFB, Calif., as the operations officer. He is as an active participant in the Air Mobility Command Phoenix Mobility Program.

Every year, approximately 12 officers in AMC are selected for the program. Phoenix Mobility is AMC-sponsored professional development program for board selected Air Force officers with 4 to 9 years of commissioned service, said Maj. Michael Brock, chief for officer and civilian force development in AMC's Manpower, Personnel and Services Division, otherwise known as A1.

"The purpose of the program is to develop officers with a strong foundation in expeditionary mobility operations while developing an understanding of senior leadership responsibilities," Major Brock said.

"The greatest part of the program is the leadership challenge," said Major Johnson, who was selected for the program in 2007. "Not that leading an AMC aircrew around the world isn't challenging, but I would argue that leading an organization of 40 or more enlisted members in a specialty you aren't the expert on, or directing operations for 30 enlisted members from 10 different specialties is just as great, if not a greater challenge."

Phoenix Mobility selected officers become fluent in air and space operations center operations, such as the Combined Air Operations Center in Southwest Asia. They also learn about contingency response wing and en route mobility operations. They receive a 36-month assignment which immerses the officers "into the heart of the AMC mission."

Maj. Kristen McCabe, also a 2007 program selectee assigned to the 615th Contingency Operations Support Group at Travis AFB, said the program has enriched her career. She's currently working the executive officer to the group commander and her normal specialty is being a flight nurse with a specialization in intensive care. Prior to her current position, she worked in Travis' 15th Air Mobility Operations Squadron.

"The program has provided me with an amazing opportunity to work hand-in-hand with many different career fields that I would probably never interact with as a nurse," Major McCabe said. "While assigned to the 15th AMOS, I had exposure to 32 different Air Force specialties just by the nature of how the unit is manned and structured.

"I also deployed to the Combined Air and Space Operations Center in Southwest Asia and I was able to see the operational level of war and interact with our Coalition partners," Major McCabe said. "I continue to be exposed to leadership from many different career fields at all levels -- from going out in the field and reviewing aerospace ground equipment and learning how to set-up communication towers to talking with AMC directorates and learning the logistics of getting contingency response groups deployed."

The Phoenix Mobility Program is a relatively new program that falls under the "umbrella" of AMC's Phoenix Horizon leadership development programs, Major Brock said. It gained its roots in 2004 in conjunction with the Air Force's two specialized contingency response wings at Travis AFB and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.

Major McCabe, who is the only flight nurse currently in Phoenix Mobility, said the program has helped her increase her understanding of the mobility air force world.

"This has been an invaluable experience that I will look back upon throughout the rest of my career," Major McCabe said. "The leadership I have been exposed to and the people I have met have been amazing."

Major Johnson added, "I've also learned a lot from my fellow Phoenix Mobility participants. Not a day goes by that I don't learn something from these truly amazing leaders. They are all gifted in their own way and I'm proud to serve with them and call them friends."

Each of the participating units -- the 615th and 621st Contingency Response Wings -- work with approximately 18 Phoenix Mobility interns at each unit. Major Johnson is a good example of the success of the program, Major Brock said. "We've taken a young leader and given him the opportunity to broaden his perspective of the mobility enterprise."

Major Brock added that Phoenix Mobility is a "win-win" situation for the individual and Air Force.

"We give talented young officers an opportunity to broaden their horizons and in return, we're developing future leaders," Major Brock said.