SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Illinois -- Air Mobility Command's hub for worldwide airlift, air refueling and aeromedical evacuation received new leadership during a change of command ceremony here July 17, 2018.
Brig. Gen. John Lamontagne took command of the 618th Air Operations Center at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, from Brig. Gen. Kenneth Bibb as Lt. Gen. GI Tuck, 18th Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony.
Lamontagne, a KC-135 and C-17 pilot, comes to the 618th AOC from his former assignment as the deputy director of operations, strategic deterrence and nuclear integration at Headquarters Air Mobility Command at Scott Air Force Base. As deputy director, he was responsible for worldwide policy, air operations, and transportation functions assigned to the command.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to return to the 618th AOC and the opportunity to help take this organization one step further into the future," said Lamontagne. "The innovations and modernizations made throughout General Bibb’s tenure have been incredible, and I can’t wait to see what we are able to accomplish together."
As a captain, Lamontagne was first assigned to the Air Operations Center as a Major Command Regional Operations director. He went on to command the 15th Airlift Squadron at Charleston AFB, South Carolina, the 379th Expeditionary Operations Group in Southwest Asia and the 437th Airlift Wing, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina before returning to Scott Air Force Base with an understanding and appreciation for those assigned to the 618th AOC.
"The work we will do together is as integral to the mission as pushing throttles or turning a wrench on the flight line," added Lamontagne. "Missions will not move without those actions, and they will not move without the expertise provided by the men and women of the 618th AOC. I'm honored to be your new commander, and humbled by the scope and importance of what you do every day."
Bibb, who led the 618th AOC since September 2016, will now serve as the director of Air, Space and Cyberspace Operations at Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
"I am confident the AOC will continue to reach new heights with Brig. Gen. Lamontagne at the controls," added Bibb. "General Lamontagne, the AOC is on the cusp of change with some big milestones on the horizon. I trust in your leadership, and the outstanding team you have behind you, to steer this organization during the transition as you continue to modernize the 618 AOC. "
The 618th AOC formerly designated the Tanker Airlift Control Center is responsible for operational planning, scheduling, directing, and assessing a fleet of approximately 1,100 aircraft in support of combat delivery and strategic airlift, air refueling, and aeromedical operations around the world.