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McGuire AMOG to get new name, mission evolution

  • Published
MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. --   Air Mobility Command is set to stand up the Air Forces first Contingency Response Wing in March, which will replace the 621st Air Mobility Operations Group here.

The CRW will be compromised of three contingency response groups and falls directly under the 21st Expeditionary Mobility Task Force. The change is a way to expand the AMOGs current mission and encompass airport in a box capabilities.

The CRGs will still provide the core Tanker Airlift Control Element functions, such as command and control, aerial port services and maintenance. In addition, the CRG has a larger core capability set to include: force protection, intelligence, threat assessment, civil engineering, airfield terminal control operations, and more. With the stand up of the CRW, instead of reaching out to various units across the Air Force for each function, the capabilities will be imbedded in the CRG .

The CRWs will provide contingency response capabilities, such as the ability to secure and protect airfields, rapidly assess and open airbases, and perform initial airfield/airbase operations to ensure smooth transition to subsequent operations, explained Maj. Mike Clayton, 821st Air Mobility Squadron assistant operations officer. CRG units embody the 'open the airbase' force module construct -- grouping forces, supplies and personnel necessary to sustain forces for a minimum of 30 days.

The CRG will be able to more effectively train and present forces within Aerospace Expeditionary Force structure. AMC officials said the organizational structure ensures consistency throughout the Air Force, in turn providing a strong airbase opening capability to the combatant commander.

The unit directly supports the combatant commander and expands the available options regarding early entry force application. The rapid response capability united with the skill to open and operate from sometimes distant, austere bases, while maintaining a small footprint with minimum external support requirements is a terrific force enabler, said the major.

We are looking at this change as a mission evolution, said Lt. Col. Patrick Owens, 821st AMS commander. We are taking a significant capability and building upon it. With expanded capabilities and resources at our disposal, we are better prepared to accomplish our mission with precision and speed.

Just as the AMOG and its deployed TALCEs have done in the past, the CRGs enable global mobility operations by providing on-site management of AMC airfield operations and are key deployable command/control elements. In fact, the CRGs will support the requirements of each of the Air Forces six concepts of operations. They have the ability to operate in a variety of basing and threat environments, regardless of the mission. CRGs provide the seamless transition from airfield seizure to airbase opening to force employment and sustainment in concert with follow-on forces and theater-assigned mobility forces.

We look forward to standing up the Air Forces first CRW and the opportunity to further enhance mobility operations whenever and wherever our capabilities are needed, said Colonel Owens. The men and women of the CRW and CRGs will be another example of McGuires professionalism and service around the globe.

Shortly after the CRW stand up, AMC will continue the evolution to the CRG concept with the stand-up of another CRW at Travis AFB, Calif., making AMC the home of six of the Air Forces eight CRGs.

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