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618th Tanker Airlift Control Center welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • Air Mobility Command Public Affairs
6/2/2008 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Brig. Gen. Mark Solo formally assumed command of the 18th Air Force's 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center in a change-of-command ceremony here today.

General Solo had served as Air Mobility Command's deputy director of Air, Space and Information Operations since May 2007. He succeeds Maj. Gen. Ronald Ladnier, who will command 17th Air Force, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, and Air Component Commander to U.S. Africa Command. Gen Ladnier commanded the 618th TACC since January 2007. Gen Solo praised the center's performance for the year 2007.

"Everyone in the 618th TACC can be extremely proud of the center's accomplishments over the last year. Every time an AMC gray tail or commercial contract aircraft takes off we are addressing one of the Air Force's top three priorities," said Gen Solo. "Whether it's air refueling a U.S. or coalition fighter, flying a wounded warrior from the battle ground to critical care facilities, moving urgently needed humanitarian, exercise or contingency cargo, supporting our civilian and military leadership with first class air transportation or providing world class expeditionary support, the TACC has been the heart of those operations."

The 618th TACC is 18th Air Force's hub for planning and directing tanker and transport aircraft operations around the world. The global air operations center is responsible for around-the-clock centralized command and control of both Air Force and commercial contract air mobility aircraft. 618th TACC personnel also plan, schedule and track tanker, airlift and aeromedical evacuation aircraft worldwide as part of AMC's "Global Reach" mission, which includes both wartime support and disaster and humanitarian relief operations. The 618th TACC provided critical support in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and the earthquake in Pakistan in 2005. The center was an integral part of non-combat evacuation operations in Lebanon in 2006

During General Ladnier's time as the 618th TACC commander, the center managed more than 284,000 sorties, moving nearly 3.6 million passengers and nearly 1.3 million tons of cargo for AMC.

In 2007, the 618th TACC executed about 9,070 aeromedical evacuation sorties - moving nearly 39,000 patients. The 618th TACC also managed 2,533 sorties that delivered more than 21,345 personnel and nearly 16,715 tons of cargo in direct support of the President.
General Solo said he expects to continue the 618th TACC's legacy of professionalism and teamwork.

"No doubt the mobility mission is enormous and intense, but the outstanding active duty, Reservists, Guardsmen, civilians and contractors that make up the 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center will continue to add to the great Air Mobility Command legacy that began years ago with the Berlin Airlift."

General Solo credited Gen Ladnier's contributions to the mission, specifically highlighting his ability to unify the 618th team in accomplishing important active/ARC/contract missions for this nation every day.