Air Force Association honors AMC during Florida gala Published Feb. 23, 2005 SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Air Mobility was the theme for the 2005 Central Florida Chapter of the Air Force Association Gala held Feb. 18 in Orlando, and Air Mobility Command didnt go unrecognized.Gen. John W. Handy, commander of AMC and U.S. Transportation Command, was on hand to receive a Jimmy Doolittle Educational Fellow award from the Aerospace Education Foundation recognizing the men and women of the command for their accomplishments. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper assisted AFA Chapter representatives in presenting the award.No matter if its a mission in support of our nations war fighters or to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need around the world, Air Mobility Command is always at the ready, said General Handy. We will always rise to the occasion, and when we do, its great knowing organizations like the AFA take notice.I accept the award on behalf of the men and women of AMC, the total force team of Airmen, noncommissioned officers, officers, civilian, and the Guard and Reserve who complete our missions. And, I especially thank the members of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet who continue to fly and support AMCs missions around the world, he said.Each year, a different theme is selected to honor a historical event or mission of the U.S. Air Force. The theme recognizes aerospace industry and individuals for significant contributions to that event or mission. Some of the more recognizable themes have been the 20th anniversary of the First Manned Lunar Landing; the 50th anniversaries of World War II, the United States Air Force, the Berlin Airlift, and the Air War in Korea.The 2005 theme, Air Mobility, will recognize contributions to the airlift mission, including those by the Civil Reserve Air Fleet, who provided support to the nation in times of national emergency. Whether formally activated for the CRAF mission or through voluntary participation, commercial airlines provide invaluable support to the AMC and Air Force mission by moving troops, patients and cargo in and out of the theater of operations.Besides representing the men and women of AMC, General Handy was also on hand to give support to several 10th Airlift Squadron, McChord AFB, Wash., aircrew members being recognized for their mission role in the early hours following the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami disaster in South Asia.Capt. Chris Dotur, 1st Lt. Peter Grossenbach, 1st Lt. Warren Halle, Staff Sgt. Abraham Jackson, and Senior Airman Andrew McLaughlin were all part of Reach 3210, the first C-17 mission to launch, with minimum notice alert, to respond to the earthquake and tsunami devastated areas in South Asia. Also recognized for his part on the mission was McChord team member Senior Airman Derrick Dirmeyer, a flying maintenance crew chief from the 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.On the recognition, Captain Dotur, the missions aircraft commander, said the crew is ecstatic because the mission itself was emotionally rewarding. We made a huge impact during a global crisis. The crew came together as a tight team.Im very proud of my crew, he said. Ive seen people accomplish some amazing things in my career, and its great, in this instance, to see some large recognition come their way.According to AFA representative, Tommy Harrison, each C-17 crew member was made a Jimmy Doolittle Educational Fellow of the Aerospace Education Foundation.Established in 1974 to honor those who, in the same spirit as the late General Jimmy Doolittle, actively promote public understanding and support for aerospace power.(Some information provided by the Central Florida Chapter 303 Air Force Association. David Kellogg, 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs, contributed to the story.) Air Mobility Command News Service is a service of the Internal Division Office of Public Affairs 503 Ward Drive, Room 214 Scott Air Force Base, Illinois 62225-5335 618-229-7821