AMC commander visits deployed troops in Southwest Asia

Published Oct. 14, 2009
By Senior Airman Michael Matkin
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- The commander of Air Force's Air Mobility Command met with deployed service members on Oct. 7 during a brief stay here on his final visit around the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

Gen. Arthur J. Lichte, commander of AMC at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., toured several base facilities, met with key leadership, and spoke with deployed Airmen from the 379th Expeditionary Operations Group in a town hall-style forum to discuss various key topics and issues enveloping the mobility mission as well as answer questions on the minds of service members.

One area of interest involved the recent Department of Defense announcement of a new KC-X tanker draft request for proposal. The plan calls for 179 aerial refueling tankers to replace the half-century old KC-135 Stratotanker. General Lichte indicated that if all goes according to schedule, the winner of the bid to build the new tanker will be announced sometime in June 2010, with the first four going to Edwards AFB, Calif., for testing around 2015.

General Lichte's brief visit and the opportunity to ask questions were welcomed by the air mobility personnel assigned here.

"The opportunity for Airmen to engage with their leadership provides the reassurance that their concerns are being heard, their ideas are being considered, their efforts understood, and their sacrifices appreciated," said Col. Keith Boone, 609th Air Operations Center Air Mobility Division chief.

The air mobility piece of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing mission is paramount to the success of today's efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. From the wing's aeromedical evacuation mission to its role in providing support for the last tactical mile, it brings with it the flexibility for commanders to prosecute a sustained campaign throughout the region.

"The C-17 Globemaster III is doing what it was designed to do - equip the warfighter," General Lichte said. "In the AOR, the C-17's use for direct delivery and support of troops is proven - particularly with airdrops. For example, through the end of September, the Air Force has airdropped nearly 13 million pounds of cargo for the year supporting Army Soldiers and Marines in remote areas of Afghanistan. In this feat, the C-17 has been a key player."

Local leaders agreed that both the C-17 and C-130 are extremely capable platforms for providing direct support to the ground component, including special operations forces, through the airdrop of supplies.

"The combined efforts of C-130s and C-17s are an impressive capability that is critical to success in Afghanistan," Colonel Boone said. "Collectively, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard resources come together with active duty to provide the Total Force air mobility package to theater commanders."

Aircrews in attendance at the gathering were also curious about their future in the cockpit; specifically, their chances of moving from their currently trained aircraft to flying unmanned aerial vehicles. The general encouraged young pilots to see UAVs as a new career opportunity or as a stepping stone to bigger and better opportunities.

"If you want to get in on the bottom floor of something, this is the perfect time," the general said. "This is the new dynamic warfare in which we're living, and we are going to require an increase of people with UAV knowledge."

Following the question and answer session, the general wrapped up his comments with a simple "thank you" to the great job service members are doing across the spectrum.

"What you are doing is not going unnoticed," he said to the standing-room only crowd. "I am here because it's important for me to hear from the Airmen and to find out what's on your minds."