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18th Air Force welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Capt. Jon Stock
  • Air Mobility Command Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Major General Winfield W. Scott III formally assumed command of the 18th Air Force from Major General James A. Hawkins in a change-of-command ceremony today at the Scott Club.

"I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to serve and lead the men and women of 18th Air Force," said Gen. Scott. "Air mobility plays a critical role in everything our nation does today more than ever. Whether delivering people and needed cargo directly to the theater, refueling combat aircraft, or delivering hope to those devastated by a national disaster, AMC and its warfighting command is there."

18 AF is AMC's sole warfighting command, charged with the tasking and execution of all air mobility missions. 18 AF oversees the 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center, two Expeditionary Mobility Task Forces (EMTFs), 12 wings and three stand-alone groups, a total of about 50,000 people.

The 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center serves as the command's air operations center, planning and directing tanker and transport aircraft operations around the world. The 15th and 21st EMTFs serve as the lead agencies for conducting mobility operations worldwide. They are the 18 AF's key to the execution phase of warfighting, providing worldwide expeditionary mobility support.

During Gen. Hawkins' tenure his leadership directly supported the continued success in the Global War on Terrorism with execution of more than 355,000 airlift sorties; delivery of more than 4.5 million passengers, 1.6 million tons of cargo, and offload of more than 1.2 billion pounds of fuel supporting combatant commanders worldwide.

He championed the concept of the 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center's reach back Theater Direct Delivery Program. This effort reduced the need for highly-vulnerable ground convoys and resupply lines, keeping more than 9,000 convoy operators per month off of roads while increasing on-time delivery by more than 22 percent.

He also established operations for air direct delivery of more than 2,800 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles to Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM, saving countless lives and increasing combat effectiveness for U.S. Central Command.

Gen. Hawkins commanded the 18 AF since November 2005. He will retire from active-duty service in July, Gen. Scott is the fourth commander of 18 AF since its reactivation in 2003.

Prior to this assignment, Gen. Scott served as deputy director, Strategic Effects, Multi-National Forces-Iraq, U.S. Central Command and is the former commander, 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center from June 2005 to January 2007. Gen. Scott is a senior pilot with more than 5,600 flying hours in the C-141, C-130, T-1, T-38, T-37 and UH-1N.

"My intention is to come into the 18th Air Force with the understanding that someday I will leave the command better than I have found it," said Gen. Scott. "I want to thank General Hawkins for the exceptional leadership he provided to the largest and most diverse Numbered Air Force in the world."