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The 730th Air Mobility Squadron at Yokota Air Base, Japan, assists in the first-time loading of a Japan Ground Self Defense Force CH-47J Chinook helicopter on to a C-17A Globemaster III Feb. 23, 2008, as part of the 2008 Pacific Global Air Mobility Seminar. It was also the first time a Japanese aircraft was loaded into another nation's aircraft. The CH-47J is assigned to the 1st Helicopter Brigade at JGSDF Camp Kisarazu in Kisarazu City, Chiba Prefecture, and the C-17 is assigned to the 535th Airlift Squadron at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. (U.S. Air Force photo/Osakabe Yasuo)

Pacific mobility warriors celebrate one-year anniversary

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Ryan Marshall
  • 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii --  The 515th AMOW here celebrates its one-year anniversary operating as Air Mobility Command's first overseas wing, which was activated June 5, 2008, to support AMC aircraft and crews with maintenance, aerial port, and command and control operations while transiting the Pacific.

The wing is responsible for two groups, six Air Mobility Squadrons; three detachments; six operating locations; six air terminal/ground handling locations; and several small terminals, comprised of nearly 2,000 geographically-separated personnel with an annual budget of $50 million. Primary en route locations include Andersen Air Force Base, Guam; Elmendorf AFB, Alaska; Hickam AFB; Yokota Air Base, Japan; Kadena AB, Japan; and Osan AB, Korea.

The standup of the 515th AMOW established the appropriate level of authority, enhanced response time, and guaranteed agility to meet the changing theater requirements. It provides the combatant commanders global reach through a fixed forward presence.

"This wing provides an enhanced level of control for our en route structure in the Pacific, which includes critical locations for getting people, cargo and patients to and from war zones," said Col. Richard A. McClain, 515th AMOW commander.

The strategic locations of the en route bases maximize the distance mobility aircraft can travel without air refueling. At the same time it provides maintenance and aerial port servicing, it also affords aircrews the opportunity to get appropriate crew rest between mission legs.

The en route system serves as a critical link to support the warfighter. AMC's global mission would be impossible without air mobility people and infrastructure in the theater. Mobility aircraft transiting from their home base across the Pacific need these locations for refueling and servicing before and after long missions.

"In the Pacific, AMC Airmen work alongside their PACAF counterparts to provide the full spectrum of mobility operations to the joint warfighter. Whether delivering critical life-saving supplies through humanitarian relief missions to victims of an earthquake or tsunami or supporting fighters and bombers in an exercise or contingency operation, AMC's role in PACAF's mission has a worldwide impact," said Maj. Gen. Mike Hostage, PACAF vice commander.

On a recent visit to the Pacific, AMC Commander Gen. Arthur J. Lichte commented on the important role of the mobility mission and highlighted its strategic value and its contributions within this theater. With AMC's support, mobility aircraft have demonstrated their ability to deliver supplies and personnel anywhere in the world while continuing to project airpower through its deterrence mission.

While at Andersen AFB, General Lichte said, "Whether it's a tanker passing precious fuel to fighters and bombers sending deterrence signals to those who wish us ill, or whether it's a tanker passing fuel to a C-17 taking an aeromedical evacuated person back home, or an airlifter passing through carrying routine cargo and providing an opportunity for Space-A travelers to get here, it all adds up."

Worldwide, AMC launches a sortie approximately once every 90 seconds, delivering more than 2,000 tons of cargo and more than 6,000 passengers every day.

"Somewhere in the world, that big AMC tail flash is doing what we want it to do and that's bringing hope to people around the world and saving lives every day," added General Lichte. "Pushing pallets of cargo and processing people doesn't seem very glamorous, but when you step back and realize the impact that they're having or what that cargo might be ... it's amazing."

The next milestone for the 515th AMOW comes in September when the units hosts the AMC Inspector General team for their first-ever En Route Readiness Inspection.

According to wing officials, the inspection will be a chance for the wing to demonstrate how well it supports mobility missions in the Pacific.

Since its activation, the 515th AMOW has supported 35,205 aircraft, moved 386,158 passengers and more than 108,330 tons of cargo. The Pacific Mobility Warriors work hand-in-hand with their PACAF partners around the clock, 365 days a year quietly supporting the joint warfighter.