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Airlift/Tanker Association hosts mobility forum

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Candy Knight
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The Golden Bear chapter of the Airlift/Tanker Association hosted a mobility forum at the Base Theater May 11 to give members of Team Travis a chance to spend time with the heroes of air mobility and hear them speak about their career experiences.

The theme of the event was "A Day with Our Mobility Warriors of Yesteryear."

"This is an excellent opportunity for you to listen and gain knowledge from the expertise of those that have served before us," Lt. Col. Ray Ott, president of the Golden Bear chapter of the ATA, told audience members.

The forum's keynote speaker was Gen. (retired) Ronald Fogleman, former Air Mobility Command commander and Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
During the forum, the general introduced members of the ATA board and discussed the origins of the ATA.

"Basically, the Airlift Association, as it was called then, was just a handful of people who wanted to stay in touch and 'remember the old days.' Over the years, it has evolved," he said.

General Fogleman added that when he became AMC commander in 1992, he set out to do some things and one of the first groups of people he talked to was the Airlift Association.

"I wanted it understood that this is Air Mobility, not just Airlift," he said. "That's why we reformed and reshaped the ATA. We reshaped it to support the men and women of Air Mobility."

In addition, during the event, the ATA board presented two $300 scholarships.

"When I called the individuals to tell them that they were going to be the recipient of the scholarship, they were happy but they were more excited to hear General Fogleman speak," Colonel Ott said.

The event concluded with a social at the Travis Air Museum. 

"This was an excellent opportunity for Team Travis to rub elbows with folks that have done so much for air mobility," Colonel Ott said.

The Airlift/Tanker Association, dedicated to ensuring that American military forces continue to have the air mobility capability required to implement U.S. national security strategy, will host their 2007 National Convention in Nashville, Tenn., Oct. 25 to 28.