Altus AFB OK VHF/UHF Channelization

Now that my friends is one heck of an elephant walk. All the 29 aircraft involved in the Elephant Walk at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, on Apr. 2, 2021. (Image credit: Rob Stephens / @RedhomeAviation)

The 97th Air Mobility Wing's primary mission is being the Strategic Airlift and Air Refueling Training School for the nation's KC-46 Pegasus, C-17 Globemaster III and KC-135 Stratotanker. They maintain approximately 550 mobility positions available for immediate worldwide deployment. They also act as the wartime aerial port of embarkation for over 27,000 soldiers, and their associated equipment, from the U.S. Army, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, located 50 miles east of Altus.

Here is the latest list of channels loaded into 97AMW aircraft based at Altus AFB (Freq Card).

Source: USAF ALTUS AFBI13-204 dated 30 March 2021

Reach H Flights

For those who have ADS-B equipment, or have been monitoring ATC freqs, you may have noticed the Reach ### flights with a suffix letter of H after the three digit mission numbers, I have been able to confirm my suspicions through an official and  reliable source that these are all AMC hurricane relief airlift flights.

Historic 'surge' exercises airlift crisis, contingency response

by Maj. Michael Meridith, 18th Air Force Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFNS) -- A surge of C-5 Galaxies, slated to take place Oct. 17 - 21, will bring together 18 active-duty and 23 Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command crews and aircraft to fly cargo in support of combatant commanders across the globe.

The assembly of the nation's largest military airlifters will more than double its normal day-to-day workload, exercising the ability of U.S. Transportation Command and its air component, Air Forces Transportation, to rapidly provide strategic airlift in response to large-scale crises and contingencies, officials said.

The missions will be in accordance with priorities set by the joint chiefs of staff and are expected to have no impact on the operations of civilian contract carriers.

"The 41 daily missions will more than double the 18 we normally execute on a typical day," said Maj. Sandy Thompson, the AFTRANS lead planner. "To put it in a historical context, the best C-5 daily achievement since 2007 was 33 C-5s flown."

With its ability to carry more than any other U.S. military aircraft and to fly 6,000 miles without refueling, the C-5 has been a "workhorse" for the Air Force since the 1970s, according to the Air Force fact sheet. In addition, the C-5 can transport fully equipped combat units rapidly anywhere in the world and then provide the support needed to sustain them.

In total, six total force units will provide aircraft and crews for the surge, illustrating what officials here describe as a "seamless integration of active-duty and reserve component forces."

"This surge is possible because we have a joint forces team that works every day to ensure rapid global mobility for America," said Marine Corps Maj. Sidney Welch, the leader of the joint planning team for the surge from TRANSCOM. "We have total force crews, planners of all services at TRANSCOM and AFTRANS, and experts providing command and control through the 618th Air Operations Center (Tanker Airlift Control Center) here. Their collective efforts help us identify the requirements for surging our air mobility forces to support the strategic maneuver capability our nation needs."

According to planners, an operational assessment team will evaluate the results of the surge and develop a set of "lessons learned" to help determine ways to more effectively and efficiently support rapid global mobility in response to crisis and contingency situations. They said regardless of the results, the surge will provide a valuable opportunity to exercise and evaluate the global mobility enterprise.

"We have a responsibility to ensure the readiness of our mobility forces are able to respond rapidly across the world," said Lt. Gen. Mark Ramsay, the commander of the 18th Air Force, who is responsible for directing AFTRANS' day-to-day operations. "This surge not only exercises that responsibility, but demonstrates our readiness even in times of intense demand on our capacity."

Gen. Ray Johns, the commander of Air Mobility Command and AFTRANS, echoed those sentiments, adding, "Whether supporting contingency or humanitarian missions, mobility forces stand ready to answer the call. This surge is about continuing to enhance our readiness and strategic agility to better support our national policy."

Air Terminal at Gitmo Supports Haiti Relief Effort

A Boeing 747 contracted by the U.S. Air Force's Air Mobility Command, lands at the Guantanamo Bay airfield with humanitarian supplies. The humanitarian supplies are part of Operation Unified Response, a joint operation providing humanitarian assistance following a 7.0 magnitude earthquake that devastated Haiti on Jan. 12, 2010. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Bill Mesta/Released)

By Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Edward Flynn

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (NNS) -- U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay and Joint Task Force Guantanamo continue support of disaster relief efforts following the devastating earthquake in Haiti Jan. 12.

A joint logistics hub at the naval station and the air terminal has been established to coordinate and lead humanitarian relief efforts to the island.

Task Force 48 has been tasked to coordinate the deliver this aid to Haiti.

"The military personnel here are working non-stop, around-the-clock, coordinating the air and sea assets to deliver immediate, lifesaving supplies to Haiti," said Rear Adm. Patricia Wolfe, commander, Task Force 48.

Military and base personnel are working around-the-clock to coordinate transport of supplies to Haiti. This rapid lift of water, food and medical supplies, including blood donations, will help the devastated country.

"We are all here doing what we signed up for," said Lt. Kimberly Gentner, with Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 14. Gentner praised those working at the air terminal for their hard work in ensuring heavy cargo, food, water and medical supplies are transported from the terminal to Haiti. From operations, flight control, humanitarian assistances providers, cargo handlers and logistics specialists, the team assembled at the air terminal requires a wide range of technical skills needed for mission success.

In any joint mission or task force, communication is paramount for success. "The level of cooperation we received from U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay is exceptional," said Lt. Devin Lewis, detachment maintenance officer of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40. "Although logistics is always a challenge, we work extremely hard knowing we are saving lives."

At the air terminal, the task of coordinating the personnel manifest is organized by Sailors from the naval station. Checking luggage, following U.S. travel guidelines and documenting personnel arriving and departing the island is necessary to ensure accountability and safety.

"The people of Haiti need our help and I'm glad to be part of this important mission," said Yeoman 2nd Class Robert Sanders, an arrival coordinator at the air terminal. Sanders credited his team with assisting more than 700 military personnel and civilians in arriving or departing the island since Jan. 21. "Every job is important and the ultimate goal is to ensure the supplies reach the people of Haiti."

612th Air Operations Center manages, improves air traffic flow into Haiti

by Tech. Sgt. Eric Petosky, 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Public Affairs

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFNS) -- Air Mobility Division experts at the 612th Air Operations Center here have been working around the clock to improve the air traffic flow into the international airport at Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

A massive global influx of humanitarian aid, including food, water, rescue equipment and crews, and medical supplies, initially caused a logjam of air traffic at the already-crippled airport. At the request of Haitian government officials, Air Force units sprung into action to streamline the delivery process, establish air traffic control, and receive the most important supplies first.

Airmen from the 612th AOC Air Mobility Division now provide command and control for more than 120 flights a day into the airport which handled an average of only 15 flights a day before the earthquake.

"The humanitarian aid and disaster relief mission is truly the bread and butter of this air operations center," said Col. John Romero, the AMD chief. "Our biggest success story so far has been installing the Haiti Flight Operations Control Center at the 601st AOC Tyndall AFB, Fla., to maximize the amount of aircraft able to land and deliver relief supplies every day. Now, instead of having chaos and confusion, airlift is prioritized according to what the government of Haiti requests. Airplanes are efficiently unloaded for a quick departure to make room for more."

The 621st Contingency Response Wing from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., has been expediting airfield operations on the ground almost since the disaster struck. The 621st CRW, one of two in the United States, specializes in quickly deploying anywhere in the world to rapidly establish, expand, sustain and coordinate air mobility operations. The 615th CRW from Travis AFB, Calif., deployed more than 30 people here to augment the air mobility division.

"We make airlift as efficient as possible, to get vital resources where they are needed most," said Lt. Col. Jay Junkins, the 15th Air Mobility Operations Squadron commander, part of the 615th CRW. "Our biggest challenge was only having one operational airfield. Almost everywhere else the Air Force operates has more capability than that."

Flexibility has been the watchword of the AMD, because priorities in Haiti change as the situation on the ground progresses. Sometimes this requires quick replacement of cargo to meet current needs, which poses problems for an aircraft arrival schedule filed more than a week ahead of time.

So far, the AMD has been able to coordinate with Air Mobility Command, the 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center and a myriad other agencies to get the right supplies to Haiti at the right time. More than 2,000 short tons of cargo and more than 2,000 passengers have arrived since airlift began, and the rates of delivery continue to climb.

The AMD is currently tracking 15 times the amount of air traffic it typically sees, said Col. Mark Koechle, the 612th AOC commander. Operations include military and civilian airlift, imagery from the RQ-4 Global Hawk, and rotary wing missions. In addition to the CRW crews augmenting the mobility division, liaison officers from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Federal Aviation Administration have arrived to make inter-agency coordination more effective.

"I'm tremendously proud of the effort and ingenuity of the air operations center Airmen," Colonel Koechle said. "There's a lot going on, but they continuously show that great American spirit and desire to help. What we are doing is making a difference for the people of Haiti, and that makes it all worthwhile."

Mobility aircraft, personnel poised to support Haiti relief operations

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFNS) -- Air Mobility Command forces are actively working to support relief operations in Haiti after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake devastated the Caribbean nation Jan. 12, AMC officials said here Jan. 13.

President Barack Obama directed a swift, coordinated effort from the U.S., saying "the people of Haiti will have the full support of the United States in the urgent effort to rescue those trapped beneath the rubble and to deliver the humanitarian relief of food water and medicine that Haitians will need in the coming days."

AMC identified several of its C-17 Globemaster III and C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft for the relief operations according to officials, posturing them for immediate support. Additional aircraft will be made available as relief requirements become better known.

Brig. Gen. Robert K. Millmann Jr., who led Air Force mobility operations during relief efforts following hurricanes Gustav, Hanna and Ike, has been selected to direct air mobility relief in Haiti.

Mission planning and command-and-control for the AMC portion of the humanitarian effort will be led by the 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center at Scott AFB. As AMC's hub for global operations, the 618th TACC plans, schedules and directs a fleet of nearly 1,300 mobility aircraft in support of strategic airlift, air refueling and aeromedical evacuation operations around the world.

In addition to supporting U.S. warfighters in Iraq and Afghanistan, the 618th TACC can transition at a moment's notice to support emerging global situations, including humanitarian airlift and aeromedical evacuation.

"Our role at the 618th TACC is to posture air mobility forces to be ready to respond quickly and effectively, and then plan and manage the missions as a coordinated effort," said Maj. Gen. Mark S. Solo, the 618th TACC commander. "We're currently assessing the state of the runway in Port-au-Prince and will plan our humanitarian air operations based on the number of aircraft we can safely operate into the airport at one time."

AMC officials already answered the call for several humanitarian operations in the past year, including in May 2009 when AMC officials delivered 30,000 H1N1 influenza prevention kits to the governments of Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, and Nicaragua to prevent the spread of the virus.

A major part of the humanitarian effort includes providing medical personnel, equipment and supplies needed to respond to the disaster, something the 618th TACC has already started coordinating. Current plans call for establishing a mobile aeromedical evacuation staging facility at a yet-to-be-determined location with multiple aeromedical crews standing by to administer emergency medical care and fly patients to more robust care, if required.

Another key player in AMC's support to Haitian relief operations will be the 621st Contingency Response Wing, based out of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. The 621st CRW staff maintains a ready corps of light, lean and agile mobility support forces who are prepared to rapidly deploy anywhere in the world to open airfields and establish, expand, sustain and coordinate air mobility operations.

"Air Mobility Command has the unique ability to respond within hours anywhere in the world," General Solo said. "It's an extremely fulfilling part of the mission, and we're going to be working around the clock on our 24-7 operations floor to provide the maximum amount of support possible for relief efforts."

CONOP test finding success for Air Force in Iraq

by Mark Diamond, Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFNS) -- According to air mobility experts on the ground in Iraq, initial results of the ongoing U.S. Army direct support mission Concept of Operations test there indicate what Air Force and Air Mobility Command officials have said all along: the Air Force supports this mission 100 percent.

The CONOP test began Nov. 5 and will continue through December.

In April, through Resource Memorandum Decision 802, Defense Secretary Robert Gates moved the C-27J program and its related direct support airlift mission from the Army to the Air Force. And since April, the Air Force and AMC have taken a serious approach to building the program.

As part of that approach, AMC officials drafted a Concept of Employment to support the delivery of Army time-sensitive, mission-critical equipment, supplies and personnel into the Commander of Army Forces' area of operations. The plan gives the Senior Army Aviation Authority, or SAAA, tactical control of C-27J Air Force assets, which will be embedded with the SAAA.

That Concept of Employment has now become a Concept of Operations, or CONOP, which is being tested in Iraq via an expeditionary airlift squadron and two C-130 Hercules aircraft since the C-27J aircraft will not be operational until late 2010. According to Col. Gary McCue, the air liaison officer with the 3rd Infantry Division in Iraq, the squadron flies one aircraft daily, with the second aircraft on standby for immediate response, if necessary.

During testing, the 164th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, made up primarily of members of the 164th Airlift Squadron, Ohio Air National Guard, is tasked directly by the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade; similar to the system used by the Army's rotary-winged assets, such as the CH-47 Chinook and UH-60 Black Hawk.

According to Colonel McCue, who is also the commander of the 179th Operations Group, Ohio ANG, the test will work out the command and control structure of the C-27 direct support mission and help the Air Force validate requirements. "We want to figure out how best to provide direct support to the Army in addition to what we're already doing," he said. "This has never been done before ... nobody knows where this is going to lead."

Although it's never been done before, Colonel McCue said it gets better with every day and with every mission.

Since the testing began, the team has completed dozens of sorties. Colonel McCue said each day varies, but so far the team has executed several sorties during each mission and, as the test progresses, they expect to add more sorties per mission. He said they are getting into their "battle rhythm," and each day is more successful than the previous.

"Our primary mission is to learn the Army's command and control and scheduling processes," Colonel McCue said. And, he said, his unit is perfectly suited for working with the Army.

"When the call came in asking if we would support this mission, it took us about 3 seconds to answer," said Colonel McCue. "As an Air Guard unit, we work very closely with the Army [National Guard] in Ohio. And since we rolled in here, it's been seamless. The Army wants this to work. They've been asking for this for 60 years. And we're showing them that we're with them 100 percent."

Although there are no set number of sorties each day, Colonel McCue said the team of air mobility experts executes the mission every day with the goal of completing the full day's taskings. So far, they're on track with 100 percent of the sorties executed.

Although this specific CONOP is new to the Air Force and AMC, mobility Airmen have a proven track record of providing direct support to ground forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. AMC officials said if the Army asks for something, particularly with airdrops, they've been able to fulfill their request 100 percent of the time.

In fact, the Air Force is setting airdrop records month after month in Afghanistan. In June, a record 3.2 million pounds of cargo was airdropped, only to be beaten in July with 3.3 million, then August with 3.8 million and again in September with 4.1 million pounds. As of Oct. 30, mobility aircraft had airdropped about 24 million pounds of cargo in Afghanistan in 2009, directly delivering much-needed supplies and aid to American and coalition warfighters.

The increase in airdrops isn't new. Air mobility forces have doubled their airdrop rate every year since 2006. In 2006 we dropped more than 4 million pounds; in 2007, more than 8 million; and in 2008, the total was 16.6 million pounds of cargo. At the current pace the 2009 total will likely reach more than 25 million pounds.

The record number of pounds delivered also means record numbers of airdrop bundles delivered. For example, in 2007, the Air Force airdropped 5,675 cargo bundles to troops in Afghanistan. In 2009, with an average of about 1,065 bundles a month, the Air Force is on pace to airdrop more than 16,000 bundles -- almost triple the pace of two years ago.

Mobility Airmen have also shown their direct support through intra-theater airlift. Through the end of August, more than 245,000 passengers and 119,000 tons of cargo were airlifted in the Afghanistan theater. In Iraq during the same time frame, it was just as significant, with 570,000 passengers and 92,000 tons of cargo airlifted.

Although the team is using C-130s to test the JCA CONOP, the Defense Department's designated direct support mission aircraft is the C-27J Spartan; what some are calling a "mini Herc."

Air Force officials will field 38 C-27Js to be operated by the Air National Guard. Current plans indicate the C-27J will be based at six ANG bases, including: Baltimore, Md.; Mansfield, Ohio; Fargo, N.D.; Bradley Airfield, Conn.; Battle Creek, Mich.; and Meridian, Miss.

AMC testing for semi prepared runway ops increases C-17's deployed capabilities

by Bekah Clark, Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

A pallet is combat off-loaded from a C-17 Globemaster III June 20, 2009, at Tarin Kowt Airfield, Afghanistan. A recent test conducted by Air Mobility Command on semi prepared runway operations worldwide may help the C-17 be able to reach more forward operating locations such as Tarin Kowt. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Shawn Weismiller)

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFNS) -- At many bases in Iraq and Afghanistan, Air Mobility Command airlifters, such as the C-17 Globemaster III, are landing on dirt runways bringing much-needed cargo to forward-deployed Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and coalition partners.

These "semi prepared" airfields are rugged and to improve operations to forward operating bases, AMC tested the capabilities of aircraft landing through semi prepared runway operations to increase the capability of the C-17 to meet warfighter needs.

This summer, AMC officials conducted SPRO testing at numerous undisclosed locations around the world using the C-17 platform. In their results, they found the C-17 is able to take off and land on 65 percent of the world's soils, whereas previously it was only able to take off and land on 6 percent.

The 59 percent increase in semi-prepared airfield take offs and landings for the C-17 means more stops can be made in areas otherwise not available. As recently as June, C-17s were the primary aircraft delivering more than 300 Army Stryker vehicles to military forces in bases throughout Afghanistan.

It's through "surge" operations such as the Stryker vehicle delivery where this increase in capability is significant, AMC officials said.

The Air Force's airlift support for the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, which includes the C-17, was also recognized by Army Gen. David Petraeus, the CENTCOM commander, in August during the U.S. Air Forces Central change of command.

"Moving the mass formations of troopers and the iron mountain of materiel to perform our missions would be impossible without the phenomenal airlift support provided by the men and women of AFCENT," General Petraeus said.

Through the past three years, "crews flew more than 100,000 airlift sorties, moved more than 2 million personnel, delivered nearly 300,000 tons of cargo, and executed almost 2,000 airdrops throughout the CENTCOM AOR," he added.

Through SPRO testing, the dramatic capability increase of the C-17 was made possible by an additional piece of equipment, called a grip tester, that measures friction, said Maj. James Hill, the Chief of the Aircraft Test Management Branch at AMC headquarters at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. AMC, in an ongoing effort to continue to advance efficiencies while maintaining operational effectiveness, requested the test be performed to improve the C-17's overall mission.

"The C-17 SPRO test results will translate into expanded capability since rainy or wet weather conditions won't be such a limiting factor at austere locations with semi-prepared or dirt runways," Major Hill said.

The test results translate to customers being more likely to "get the goods" they need to complete their respective missions. Such deliveries might involve resupplying a forward operating base with ammunition, food, equipment parts or even everyday supplies such as toilet paper or light bulbs.

"Sometimes you have to get a little dirty to advance mobility capability," said Col. John Scorsone, the director of AMC Test and Evaluation. "This test effort will clear a path to future austere landing operations for the C-17."

The test evaluated how C-17s can fly into more restrictive locations and areas under varying weather conditions in an effort to best meet the needs of the warfighter as well as providing rapid response at home and abroad in response to humanitarian relief operations, Colonel Scorsone said.

Testing also evaluated C-17 takeoffs and landings in dry and various wet conditions, and increased the aircraft's operating weight capacity by 41,000 pounds.

"This payload increase allows more people and cargo to be transported at one time, possibly reducing the number of flights necessary to get supplies and troops to theater," Colonel Scorsone said. "Extra payload can also equate into more fuel the C-17 is able to carry, adding capability and flexibility to the aircraft."

The 140 flight-hour test involved flying multiple sorties to dirt strips around the country was an effort to characterize how different soil types hold up under multiple C-17 operations into and out of the particular ground environment.

The takeoffs and landings were evaluated by whether or not the aircraft had the distance and speed to takeoff or land as determined by a mission computer. The mission computer takes into account aircraft weight and environmental conditions. If the test dirt strip met the requirements as dictated by the mission computer, a test takeoff and landing were conducted.

To determine ground conditions, aircrews use a runway condition reading to determine the moisture levels of the ground, Major Hill said. The lower the number of an RCR, the higher the moisture content, the higher number of an RCR, the lower the moisture content. An RCR of 20 represents a relatively dry surface, while an RCR of four represents a surface as slick as ice.

Before this test, if any moisture was present on the dirt strip, ground personnel had to use an overly restrictive RCR rating of four which significantly limited the C-17's flexibility. If no moisture was present, an RCR rating of 20 was used, thereby increasing the C-17s velocity and capacity to deliver our mission to the warfighter as well as assist nations in need.

After this test, with the help of the grip tester, ground personnel will have a range of RCRs they can designate on a strip of land, making it a more usable runway.

"This testing allows us to determine a range of RCRs from four to 20, which will improve our overall ability to operate into otherwise overly restrictive locations," Major Hill said. "We will be able to get into more locations under varying weather conditions.

According to the test report, all test objectives were met. A final decision on equipment available to ground personnel to use is still pending until results are briefed to the AMC Operations Directorate.

AMC supports air forces in Africa

by Master Sgt. Angie Sarchet, Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFNS) -- Air mobility Airmen are providing their experience and expertise to the Air Force's newest geographic combatant command, U.S. Africa Command, and its components with daily C-17 Globemaster III and C-130 Hercules airlift missions across the continent.

"Intratheather airlift is fundamental to building and supporting U.S. Africa Command" said Col. Bob Holba, Air Mobility Division chief for the 617th Air and Space Operations Center at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

Air Mobility Command Airmen and aircraft provide critical airlift for U.S. and African forces including shuttling passengers, transporting resupply materials for forces on the continent, moving United Nations peacekeepers and peacekeeping equipment, or taking part in military-to-military engagements between the U.S. Air Force and African partners. AMC professionals assist 17th Air Force officials contribute to sustained security engagements across the continent.

AMC officials assist with the demand for air mobility knowledge while moving passengers and equipment. Since the command's air component, 17th Air Force, currently does not possess its own assigned aircraft, AMC assets provide global air mobility. AMC visibly demonstrates that support with aircraft and Airmen from AMC bases on four month air and space expeditionary force deployments to the region.

AMC Airmen share their expertise on all aspects of airlift on the ground and in the classroom. Air mobility liaison officers literally lay the groundwork by coordinating landing zones, while AMC instructors from Hurlburt Field, Fla., visit the continent and make recommendations for improving operations, tailoring training to meet the unique demands and challenges of the Africa airspaces.

"Planning missions to stand up and support U.S. Africa Command requirements has been a good experience," said Maj. Dan Weible, a 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center planner. "We're in a great position to lend our mobility experience to AFRICOM as the (Defense Department's) newest component command, and it's been rewarding to see the end result of those missions."

Because the new command's focus is sustained security engagement, air mobility knowledge and systems provide the foundation for 17th Air Force operational processes and missions, and AMC Airmen contribute to building partnerships along the way. From Oct. 1, 2008 to June 16, 2009, AMC C-130s deployed in direct support of 17th Air Force flew 1,086 missions, moving more than 830 passengers and more than 506 tons of cargo into Africa, Colonel Holba said.

While airlift missions in Africa provide a unique experience in themselves, a recent mission focused on American Airmen working side by side with their African counterparts enhancing understanding of the mobility culture. AMC Airmen traveled to Ghana to partner with deployed 17th Air Force personnel in support of President Barack Obama's first visit to the continent. Master Sgt. Ken Duran deployed from the 819th Global Support Squadron at McGuire AFB, N.J., said his team was excited about their first visit to the African continent to support the president's peacekeeping efforts.

Even after 17th Air Force reaches full operational capability (scheduled this October), it will continue to rely on professional AMC Airmen to help fulfill its mission.

"In part because of our lean construct, our reliance on mobility expertise from outside 17 AF will not go away when we reach full operational capability status," Colonel Holba said. "If anything it will continue to mature as U.S. Africa Command and its components further develop their security engagement programs, which is the stated cornerstone of our (combatant command's) mission. We'll continue to rely on AMC Airmen to provide airlift across the continent, and provide expertise by augmenting our staff directorates and Air and Space Operations Center."

Winning the overseas contingency operation with our joint and coalition partners is job number one for AMC and the Air Force. AMC routinely accomplishes this through increased velocity and capacity to deliver our mission to the warfighter.

AMC Airmen are in harm's way every day to deliver troops, cargo and fuel with speed and precision. On a typical day, mobility forces plan about 900 sorties, move nearly 2,000 tons of cargo and more than 6,000 passengers. This operations tempo equates to a mobility aircraft planned departure every 90 seconds or less, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Air mobility, tanker support key elements of Global Thunder

by Roger Drinnon, Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFNS) -- Air Mobility Command airlift and tanker support were key contributors to Exercise Global Thunder 2009 that ran June 24 through 30, AMC officials said recently.

Global Thunder 2009, a U.S. Strategic Command-led exercise, provided training opportunities for various service components, units and their respective command posts. During the exercise, AMC provided tanker and airlift support by coordinating and managing all tanker forces to include generating KC-135 tankers to alert and dispatching C-130 aircraft for critical airlift requirements.

"Our success came as a result of total force integration," said Col. Peggy Phillips, an individual mobilization augmentee to the 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center director of current operations. "The combination of active-duty, air Reserve component and National Guard personnel demonstrated the interoperability needed in today's environment."

The 618th TACC is AMC's global Air Operations Center responsible for coordinating airlift, air refueling and aeromedical evacuation operations. On a typical day, the 618th TACC coordinates an average of 900 airlift and air refueling missions, moving nearly 2,000 tons of cargo and more than 6,000 passengers globally.

Colonel Phillips said the 618th TACC staff coordinated and managed more than 40 aerial refueling missions and several airlift support missions during the exercise. She said the 22nd Air Refueling Wing from McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., also demonstrated rapid deployment capability during an exercise scenario.

"I believe we instilled a sense of confidence (among the exercise participants) regarding AMC's role in these operations," said David Dey, deputy chief of the 618th TACC's Task Force 294 Division.

AMC officials support worldwide mobility operations for America's nuclear enterprise as well as for overseas contingency operations. Since Sept 11, 2001, AMC Airmen have airlifted 12.5 million passengers and more than 4.6 million tons of cargo in support of global operations. In support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, AMC members have delivered more than 3.6 million tons of cargo and nearly 9 million passengers. AMC tanker crews also have provided more than 1.5 billion gallons of fuel in support of global operations since Sept. 11, 2001.

Global Thunder exercises are designed to reflect the ongoing evolution of STRATCOM and its component commands. This exercise provides the opportunity to incorporate the most current technology and techniques in support of these efforts. The last similar exercise was held in August 2007.

AMC aircraft, Airmen supporting Hurricane Ike evacuations

by Mark D. Diamond Headquarters AMC Public Affairs

Members of a mobile aeromedical staging facility team from MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., board a plane headed to Corpus Christi, Texas, to support Hurricane Ike evacuation efforts there. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Joseph L. Swafford Jr.)

Mobility Airmen and their aircraft are again in full support of hurricane evacuation operations as Hurricane Ike approaches the Gulf Coast.

This effort to support evacuation of patients and members of the general population comes on the heels of Air Mobility Command's support to Hurricane Gustav evacuation efforts. Command and control and coordination of the airlift effort is provided by the 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center here while missions are flown by active duty, Reserve, Air National Guard and commercial partners.

According to AMC officials, days before the hurricane's projected landfall Air Force personnel, equipment and aircraft were prepositioned along the Gulf Coast in preparation for possible relocation of patients and members of the general population. More aircraft and aircrews were placed on alert.

618th TACC officials said AMC aircraft and personnel are now supporting the evacuation of hundreds of critical care and special needs patients from Corpus Christi, Texas. As early as Sept. 8, the 618th TACC was coordinating the movement of contingency response teams and mobile aeromedical staging facility teams to Texas to support possible AE missions.

Contingency Response Group elements from McGuire AFB, N.J. and Travis AFB, Calif. -- used to establish airfield operations and control the AMC airlift effort from the ground -- were positioned at several locations in Texas. Additionally, three MASF teams -- from the 6th Air Mobility Wing, MacDill AFB, Fla.; the 43rd Air Mobility Wing, Pope AFB, N.C.; and the 375th Air Mobility Wing at Scott AFB -- were positioned in Texas. MASFs provide a staging area to receive, hold and prepare patients involved with aeromedical evacuation.

Active duty, Reserve and Air National Guard Airmen have been involved with hurricane relief efforts almost nonstop for the past two weeks, since the initial planning and missions in support of Hurricane Gustav began in late August.

"AMC has the capability to quickly deliver emergency response teams and massive amounts of relief supplies and equipment on a moment's notice," an Air Mobility Command spokesman said. "Air mobility is a truly unique resource for our nation, with capabilities daily ranging from combat missions to humanitarian assistance."

On a typical day, the 618th TACC coordinates an average of 900 airlift and air refueling missions, moving nearly 2,000 tons of cargo and more than 6,000 passengers globally. The 618th TACC can seamlessly redirect these missions to support emerging requirements for contingency or humanitarian relief operations.

When a Hurricane is identified as having potential to strike the United States, the 618th TACC begins to posture mobility forces for various relief scenarios. This posturing may include placing aircraft and crews in Bravo alert status, meaning crews are on standby and ready to launch in three hours or less from notification.

Air Mobility Command is no stranger to humanitarian operations in the United States and throughout the world. The command has a long history of preparing for and assisting civilian authorities following a natural disaster.

In fact, for Hurricane Gustav, the 618th TACC coordinated the movement of 8,074 evacuees, nearly 573 patients and about 506 tons of equipment.

During Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, the 618th TACC tasked nearly 900 sorties to support relief efforts, and mobility forces moved more than 14,600 passengers, nearly 3,000 patients, and hauled the equivalent of 686 semi-truckloads of supplies to and from the Gulf Coast region.

After setting up the contingency response cell during Hurricane Katrina, TACC Airmen rapidly turned requirements into missions for humanitarian airlift assistance to people on the Gulf Coast. Within the first 24 hours of Katrina's landfall, the TACC aggressively moved search-and-rescue teams and their equipment to Louisiana, and then quickly shifted focus to a hub-and-spoke operation to bring in supplies and rescue patients.

The 618th TACC has also supported many humanitarian relief efforts around the globe. In fact, in August the Center supported the delivery of humanitarian assistance to individuals displaced by recent fighting in the Republic of Georgia. Air Force mobility Airmen delivered more than 587 tons of needed supplies, including Humanitarian Daily Rations, cots, blankets, generators, medical supplies, and more.

And during Pakistan earthquake relief operations in 2005, the 621st Contingency Response Wing, McGuire AFB, N.J., supported 273 U.S. missions, and provided 15,294,000 pounds of relief supplies, including more than 93,000 sleeping bags and 292,000 blankets. The wing also loaded 587 trucks and processed 4,481 pallets.

AMC poised to support post-hurricane operations

by Mark D. Diamond, Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Air Mobility Command planners and operators held a collective breath as Hurricane Gustav made landfall Sept. 1.

Although most AMC aircraft and personnel were pulled back from the U.S. Gulf Coast area Aug. 31 -- hours before the hurricane's projected landfall -- the command was still fully engage in relief operations, preparing for any airlift or aeromedical evacuation requirements that could come in the aftermath of the giant storm.

According the Col. A. Ray Myers, director of the 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center's Hurricane Gustav Contingency Response Cell, when evacuation operations ended Aug. 31, 618th TACC planners changed focus to prepare for possible air mobility requirements following the hurricane.

Colonel Myers said more than 50 aircraft and 100 aircrews were placed on alert, ready to immediately assist relief operations.

He said post-hurricane requirements could involve anything from aeromedical evacuation and transport of emergency personnel, to delivering humanitarian aid, such as food, water or equipment.

Command, control and coordination of air mobility support to Hurricane Gustav evacuation efforts was provided by the 618th TACC. The center plans an average of 900 airlift and air refueling missions each day and is able to use that capability to meet requirements for contingency or humanitarian relief operations.

According to 618th TACC officials, TACC planners began gearing up for Hurricane Gustav nearly a week before the hurricane made landfall.

Maj. Gen. Mark S. Solo, 618th TACC commander, said his air operations center begins to posture mobility forces as soon as a hurricane is identified as having potential to strike the United States.

The 618th TACC began prepositioning aircraft Aug. 28 as Gustav showed his path toward the southern U.S. Equipment and emergency personnel, such as aeromedical evacuation teams and contingency response group elements were airlifted to several areas along the U.S. Gulf Coast.

AE teams facilitated movement of special-needs patients - from the critically ill to expectant mothers - and the CRG elements established airfield operations in support of the massive hurricane evacuation.

According to 618th TACC officials, Air Mobility aircraft transported about 725 patients and more than 6,500 general population evacuees.

"What the military brings to any humanitarian operation is adaptive planning and dynamic execution," said Col. Bryan Benson, 618th TACC deputy commander.

He said the men and women of the 618th TACC are expertly prepared to plan and execute any mission, humanitarian or contingency.

"If it looks effortless, it isn't," Colonel Benson said. "The coordination between federal, state, local agencies and the military components requires a great deal of preparation in order to be successful. Those efforts are paying huge dividends today."

Lt. Gen. Vern M. "Rusty" Findley II, AMC vice commander, applauded the efforts of AMC personnel.

From the 618th TACC and AMC Crisis Action Team to the aircrews, aeromedical evacuation teams and contingency response group elements, the general said AMC was fully engaged and delivering outstanding results.

"These folks are the execution arm of this great element of airpower that we call air mobility," he said. "They made the mission happen. It certainly proved again what a true total force effort we can muster in a time of crisis."

The general also applauded AMC's Total Force partners who participated in the effort.

"As always, I'm thankful for the great teamwork from our Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard men and women, and our [Air Education and Training Command] partners at Altus and Little Rock," General Findley said.

Although AMC paused AE and airlift operations as Gustav made landfall, the general said the command stands ready to assist in the aftermath of the storm.

"We are poised and ready for any requirements and challenges that will come in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav," General Findley said.

The 618th TACC is no stranger to humanitarian operations.

During Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, the 618th TACC tasked nearly 900 sorties to support relief efforts, and mobility forces moved more than 14,600 passengers, nearly 3,000 patients, and hauled the equivalent of 686 semi-truckloads of supplies to and from the Gulf Coast region.

After setting up the contingency response cell during Katrina, TACC Airmen rapidly turned requirements into missions for humanitarian airlift assistance to people on the Gulf Coast. Within the first 24 hours of Katrina's landfall, the TACC aggressively moved search-and-rescue teams and their equipment to Louisiana, and then quickly shifted focus to a hub-and-spoke operation to bring in supplies and rescue patients. This included moving Contingency Response Group elements from the 615th Contingency Response Wing at Travis AFB, Calif., and the 621st CRW at McGuire AFB, N.J., to the area to establish airfield operations.

Air Force, AMC officials poised for Hurricane Gustav support

by Mark Diamond, Headquarters AMC Public Affairs

Shawn Dahl, the lead meteorologist with the 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center Weather Cell at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., keeps an eye on the satellite picture that shows the location of Hurricane Gustav Aug. 28. (USAF Photo)

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFPN) -- In response to preliminary reports that possibly point Hurricane Gustav toward the Gulf Coast of the United States, Air Force officials are postured to support relief efforts, if needed.

Hurricane Gustav, which formed Aug. 25 about 260 miles southeast of Haiti, is the third hurricane of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season. On Aug. 27, the hurricane was moving away from Haiti. Its tentative track pointed the storm toward the U.S. Gulf coast, including Louisiana, where Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005.

Command and control coordination of any humanitarian airlift effort would be provided by the 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center here. Personnel from the 618th TACC coordinate an average of 900 airlift and air refueling missions each day, and can seamlessly redirect these missions to support emerging requirements for contingency or humanitarian relief operations.

According to Maj. Gen. Mark S. Solo, the 618th TACC commander, as soon as a hurricane is identified as having potential to strike the United States, 618th TACC officials begin posturing mobility forces to be able to respond to various relief scenarios. He said this "posturing" may include placing aircraft and crews in Bravo alert status, meaning crews are on standby and ready to launch in three hours or less from notification.

Other forces used to open and operate temporary remote bases, known as Contingency Response Group elements, also may be postured for short notice response in these situations.

Humanitarian operations are a major significant emphasis for the 618th TACC team.

"The 618th TACC has a long history of preparing for and assisting civilian authorities following a natural disaster," General Solo said.

During hurricanes Katrina and Rita, 618th TACC personnel tasked nearly 900 sorties to support relief efforts, and mobility forces moved more than 14,600 passengers, nearly 3,000 patients and hauled the equivalent of 686 semi-truckloads of supplies to and from the Gulf Coast region.

After setting up the contingency response cell during Hurricane Katrina, TACC Airmen rapidly turned requirements into missions for humanitarian airlift assistance to people on the Gulf Coast. Within the first 24 hours of Katrina's landfall, TACC officials aggressively moved search-and-rescue teams and their equipment to Louisiana and then quickly shifted focus to a hub-and-spoke operation to bring in supplies and rescue patients.

Contingency Response Group elements from the 615th Contingency Response Wing at Travis AFB, Calif., and the 621st CRW at McGuire AFB, N.J., deployed to the Gulf Coast region to establish airfield operations in support of the massive hurricane relief effort.

During Pakistan earthquake relief operations in 2005, 621st CRW Airmen supported 273 U.S. missions and provided 15,294,000 pounds of relief supplies, including more than 93,000 sleeping bags and 292,000 blankets. Wing personnel also loaded 587 trucks and processed 4,481 pallets.

AMC stands up first overseas wing

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFPN) -- Air Mobility Command officials will stand up a new wing June 5 as part of its en route structure in the Pacific.

The 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, will be the first wing AMC officials have established overseas since the command's formation in 1992. Supporting AMC aircraft and crews transiting the Pacific, the wing becomes the headquarters for the existing 715th Air Mobility Operations Group at Hickam AFB and the new 515th AMOG at Yokota Air Base, Japan.

"This new wing will provide an enhanced level of control for our en route structure in the Pacific, which includes critical locations for getting people, cargo and patients to and from war zones," said Col. Richard A. McClain, who is appointed to be the 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing commander and currently serves as the 615th Contingency Response Wing vice commander at Travis AFB, Calif. "The strategic locations of our en route bases maximize the distance our mobility fleet can travel without air refueling. At the same time, we provide maintenance and aerial port servicing, as well as allowing aircrews the opportunity to get the appropriate crew rest."

"This wing standup demonstrates that AMC's en route structure is a flexible organization, shaped by the needs of our nation's security," said Maj. Gen. James A. Hawkins, 18th Air Force commander. "We're always looking for opportunities to make our system more responsive and efficient. This is one more example of adjusting the system to meet the combatant commander's needs."

The en route system serves as a critical link in supporting the warfighter.

"We couldn't perform our global mission without our air mobility people and infrastructure in the theater," said General Hawkins. "Our mobility aircraft transiting from their home base across the Pacific need these locations to refuel and be serviced before and after long missions."

About 1,800 personnel are assigned to the new wing. More than half will stay with the 715th AMOG and its three squadrons, supporting flights transiting Hickam AFB; Andersen AFB, Guam; and Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. The new 515th AMOG at Yokota will have operational control over the three squadrons at Osan AB, Korea; Kadena AB, Japan; and Yokota AB.

When is the Enemy of My Enemy My Friend?

When my enemy has a large aircraft that can lift heavy, oversize loads.



Yesterday, MD Monitor reported an AN-124 aircraft (callsign: VD 4818) in ZDC airspace. The aircraft belongs to Volga-Dneiper Airlines. MM stated that this was a US Contract Airlines. Uh, excuse me. A Russian airline is a US Contract Airline?

This got my attention and after a bit of digging lo and behold the US Air Mobility Command has been chartering An-124 aircraft from Volga-Dnieper Airlines since 2003 for the transport of oversize cargo.

So what idiot and lunatic in the US State Department negotiated this deal?

To add insult to injury in February 2006, NATO signed a contract to lease the An-124, under the Strategic Airlift Interim Solution (SALIS), from Ruslan SALIS GmbH (representing Antonov and Volga-Dnepr). Two aircraft will be constantly based at Leipzig airport and four more will be available on request. The lease is for an initial three years, to be renewed yearly until 2012 when the A400M transport enters service. The Leipzig maintenance base was opened in January 2007.

The An-124 is designed for long-range delivery and air dropping of heavy- and large-size cargo, including machines, equipment and troops.

So AMC. What your saying by hiring the AN-124 is you have nothing in the US fleet that can meet your needs? So now you are using the assets of Russia, the country who's military has made this blog consistantly this year by rattling their military saber. The same bunch who has violated sovreign airspace of our allies, buzzed a US carrier, opposed this country on numerous diplomatic issues, and their reward? Give one of their government run airlines a fat lucrative contract to haul our US military stuff around. A definite Golden Fleece Award winner.

Just Damn!

C-17 crews support missions in Europe, Africa

Air Force Reserve Command is providing dedicated aircrews from the 514th Air Mobility Wing, McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., and C-17 Globemaster III from the 315th Airlift Wing, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., to fly C-17 strategic airlift missions in Europe and Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Russell E. Cooley IV)

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFPN) -- In a coordinated effort with U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Mobility Command, the Air Force Reserve Command is providing dedicated aircrews to fly C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlift missions in Europe and Africa.

The first group of reservists to arrive at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, includes aircrew members, a mission commander, an NCO in charge and a crew chief from AFRC's 514th Air Mobility Wing, McGuire AFB, N.J. They will serve on a rotational basis with reservists from other units replacing them.

"All of the reservists are here on a volunteer basis, not as mobilized reservists," said Lt. Col. James Fryer, the commander of the AFRC's 732nd Airlift Squadron from McGuire AFB. "Our unit was tasked with the first rotation since it was our (air and space expeditionary force) bucket, but we all volunteered to come."

The C-17s will come from various bases on a rotational basis. The first C-17 arrived at Ramstein AB from Charleston AFB, S.C., Jan. 29. A second C-17 is due to arrive in mid-to-late spring with two more aircrews.

While deployed, the aircrews and aircraft will be assigned to the 779th Expeditionary Airlift Flight. They will provide global airlift in support of the U.S European Command mission as well as augmenting the global mobility fleet.

Ramstein AB's 723rd Air Mobility Squadron maintains the visiting C-17s.

"The maintenance support from the 723rd (AMS) has been outstanding," said Colonel Fryer. "They are true professionals, and we couldn't do this without them."

Reservists flew the first C-17 rotational airlift mission Jan. 25 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom's NATO training mission in Iraq.

"This is a great partnership and a first step toward better utilization of our assets and support to the global airlift mission," said Colonel Fryer. "We look forward to supporting the strategic airlift requirements not only in Europe and Africa, but worldwide."