Youngstown welcomes AMC commander

Published March 16, 2015
By Master Sgt. Bob Barko Jr.
910th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Office

YOUNGSTOWN AIR RESERVE STATION, Ohio -- The Air Force Reserve's 910th Airlift Wing welcomed Air Mobility Command (AMC) Commander Gen. Darren W. McDew for an installation visit here, March 9, 2015.

McDew, a four star general, met with wing leadership, toured the installation and got an up close look at the 910th's mission and capabilities.

According to the 910th's fact sheet, the wing uses their C-130H Hercules tactical cargo transport aircraft during combat, including low-level infiltration flights, to deliver personnel and materials by airdrop or air-land methods as part of their wartime tasking, during humanitarian operations and for the wing's mission as the Department of Defense's only large-area fixed-wing aerial spray capability. In the event of mobilization, the unit's personnel and aircraft would be assigned to AMC.

During his meeting with 910th leadership, he received a detailed overview of the wing's unique aerial spray capability. Soon after, McDew toured a C-130H Hercules aircraft, equipped with the modular system required to carry out spray missions.

The general said after visiting YARS, hearing the briefing, meeting the personnel and seeing the equipment, he had a better understanding and a strong appreciation for the one-of-a-kind military mission.

Addressing a group of 910th Citizen Airmen, McDew said, "Thanks for doing this (aerial spray) and keeping it a high professional level and doing it so safely."

During his brief visit to YARS, the general also talked about his vision of AMC and stressed its importance to the nation's defense.

According to the AMC fact sheet, Air Mobility Command is a major Air Force command headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. AMC provides worldwide cargo and passenger delivery, air refueling and aeromedical evacuation. The command also transports humanitarian supplies to hurricane, flood and earthquake victims both at home and around the world. More than 133,700 active-duty, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve Command and Department of Defense civilians make the command's rapid global mobility operations possible.

"There is a good reason why we have active-duty, (Air) National Guard and (Air Force) Reserve (components in AMC)," said McDew. "There should be seamless operation and movement between components but there should be stark differences... The difference must be where and when they are used."

The AMC commander said he appreciated the unique skill sets reserve component Airmen bring to the Air Force total force concept.

"The beauty of the Guard and Reserve are your other experiences and (you) are part of the fabric of your communities," said McDew.

Col. Darryl Markowski, 910th Airlift Wing vice commander, said he was pleased the general was able to visit YARS and learn more about the role the 910th continues to play in AMC's missions at home and around the world.

"We were excited to host Gen. McDew and give him his first tour of Youngstown and provide him an opportunity to see the aerial spray mission and the impact it provides," Markowski said. "It was important for him to visit so he has a clear understanding of the mission and the value it brings to DoD and the nation as a whole."