EMTFs, one year later Published Nov. 1, 2004 DALLAS -- Just over a year after they were formed, Air Mobility Commands expeditionary mobility task forces were highlighted in a packed seminar during the 36th annual Airlift/Tanker Association convention and symposium here Oct. 29.Opening the session, Brig. Gen. Bobby J. Wilkes, commander of the 21st Expeditionary Mobility Task Force, McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., described the new units as AMCs response to the new and very different security environment.The 21st century Air Force is all about global engagement, but with one third fewer people and two thirds fewer overseas bases, said the general. We are faced with four times as many deployments with an average of 14,600 people and more than 220 aircraft deployed at any one time.Confronting todays threats means dispatching forces from the continental U.S. to austere locations where there is little or no infrastructure, he said. EMTFs are traveling teams and we must often build facilities upon arrival.But the general emphasized the command had little choice. The bottom line was to become expeditionary or risk serious consequences.Joining General Wilkes in the seminar was his vice commander, Col. Bill Bender; Col. Brooks L. Bash, 15th EMTF commander, Travis AFB, Calif.; and his vice commander, Col. Bruce Bussler. Rounding out the panel was Brig. Gen. Kip Self, AMC deputy director of operations.General Wilkes used a sports analogy to describe what led to the creation of the EMTFs in October 2003.The changing environment doesnt change the rules of a football game, he said, but it does change how we line up on the field.Recognizing the rapidly changing security environment, Gen. John W. Handy, commander of U.S. Transportation Command and AMC, last year changed the line-up by consolidating what had been two numbered air forces into one, the 18th Air Force at Scott AFB, Ill., commanded by Lt. Gen. William Welser III. The former 15th and 21st Air Forces were deactivated and, in their place, EMTFs were created with the singular goal of enhancing global mobility support to the warfighter.According to Colonel Bash, the 15th EMTF provides mobility support to three combatant commands U.S. Northern Command, U.S. Southern Command and U.S. Pacific Command. As the 15th EMTF commander, he is the pre-designated director of mobility forces for the Korean peninsula. His overall responsibilities span 40 percent of the Earths surface, with the huge distances between land masses presenting very unique challenges.General Wilkes has a similar mission as commander of the 21st EMTF. He also supports three combatant commands U.S. European Command, U.S. Central Command, and U.S. Joint Forces Command. His responsibilities include 118 countries and vast regions full of historic instability and conflict.According to General Wilkes, the key to success for both EMTFs is a flexible en route structure to facilitate rapid air delivery of expeditionary forces from the United States.The days of significant forward presence and large infrastructure are past, said General Wilkes. U.S. security depends on rapid deployment and global reach.Colonel Bash used another sports analogy in describing how EMTFs are comprised of fixed and mobile components and special teams for an effective warfighting focus.The fixed component is the front line, said the colonel. The mobile component is the backfield and special teams are well, just that special teams.The division of labor between the components allows the EMTF to synchronize activities of the different nodes of the air mobility network, despite a huge span of control.Beginning with the backfield, Colonel Bash described each of the components.Part of the challenge is responding to areas of the world outside the established air mobility network, he said. "In those cases, the unique capabilities of our mobile support elements extend the reach and capacity of the system.The air mobility operations squadron is a team of cross-functional capabilities trained to plan and execute theater air mobility, explained the colonel. During times of conflict, members of the [air mobility operations squadron] deploy to Air Operations Centers, although they can also operate independently if necessary.Forming the core of theater air mobility expertise, this in-theater team generated more than 400 airlift, air refueling and aeromedical evacuation missions per day during the height of Operation Iraqi Freedom.Such impressive results would not be possible without reliable communications, said Colonel Bash. Theater Deployable Communications establish the connectivity that enables EMTF forces to play their respective positions on the air mobility team.Another member of the backfield is the air mobility squadron comprised of operators, transporters and crew chiefs. These light, lean and agile forces must be ready to deploy within 12 hours, self-sustaining, cross-functional, and scalable according to mission requirements. The main parts of an air mobility squadron are the Tanker Airlift Control Element, mission support team, and specialized teams for mission support and airfield survey.General Wilkes took a handoff to describe the special teams.One type of special team is the Air Mobility Liaison Officer, he said. These experienced mobility officers volunteer for duty with Army and Marine units to plan and coordinate airlift. They smooth the seams created by service cultures by translating the air mobility needs of ground forces.Another special team is Combat Camera, said the general. They document significant events in theater and process imagery from gun cameras and head-up displays for operational assessment in support of national decision making.Having described the backfield and special teams, General Wilkes turned to the front line.The fixed en route support structure forms the front line of the global air mobility team, said the general. Their forward presence, robust facilities and permanently stationed manpower enhances expeditionary operations.Fixed air mobility operations group capabilities include terminal and command and control operations, aerial port functions and aircraft maintenance. That capability is represented by 12 passenger terminals in 11 countries and 17 air mobility control centers in 15 countries. Warfighters in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom have received more than 822,500 tons of cargo and more than two million passengers in the past year through this front line capability.Air mobility is all about moving people and cargo, said General Wilkes. The terminals take care of people while the ports handle cargo.Rounding out the picture is en route aircraft maintenance with 11 locations in 10 countries to service and repair C-5, C-17 and C-141 airlifters and service commercial aircraft.En route repair capability accelerates air mobility operations, said General Wilkes. We overcome the challenge of maintaining various types of aircraft with experienced people and 100 percent manning.Combining EMTFs and AMCs flying mission fulfills General Handys vision of rapid global mobility for the warfighter and represents a major step forward in security for America. 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