AMC Commander visits JBLM

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Naomi Shipley
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  Gen. Carlton D. Everhart II, Air Mobility Command commander and Chief Master Sgt. Shelina Frey, AMC command chief, visited and met with Airmen throughout the base here April 5 to 7.

Everhart and Frey spent most of their tour interacting with Airmen at as many work centers as possible and discussing their goals and focus areas for AMC specifically at JBLM.

Base Army and Air Force service members briefed the general and chief on the joint base's growth, the Prime Nuclear Airlift Force mission, the 62nd Operations Group, the 62nd Maintenance Group, the 446th Airlift Wing, the 1st Air Special Operations Group and the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron.

Everhart and Frey, along with joint base leadership, also received an aerial tour in a JBLM UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter, of the entire installation.

The flight provided an overview of the vastness of JBLM and the physical layout of the base, co-location of the Air Force and Army and location to the local metropolitan area. They also discussed operational initiatives and the total force partnerships with the Reserves and Guard here at JBLM.

"I've always been impressed with the partnership here, not just between Air Force and Army but between active duty and Reserve," said Everhart. "The combined range of your mission and your amazing skill sets equip our nation with an air power capability that no one around the world can match."

They also hosted an all-call where active duty and Reserve Airmen asked questions and were reminded why what we do every day is significant.

"I cannot stress enough that your contribution to the fight is vitally important to our country's defense, whether you're flying KC-135s, loading pallets at Joint Base Charleston or cooking warm meals in Afghanistan," said Everhart. "What you do matters; and the way you do it impacts our readiness."

The duo stressed that all Airmen should voice their innovations to improve processes, because the people doing the job are the subject matter experts.

"We want your ideas," said Frey. "We've got to stay ready and we have to be ready for the modernization."

Modernization is a big emphasis for AMC. Everhart brought up the KC-46 as an example.

The KC-46 is the new air refueling tanker for the U.S. Air Force that in time will replace the aging tanker fleet. Speaking in reference to this modernization, Everhart talked about four specific areas he wants all of us to focus on.

"I've reinvigorated my focus on four specific areas," said Everhart. "An easy way to remember it is the mnemonic 'Rapid Global Mobility - Now' or RGM-N. It stands for readiness; grow and develop Airmen; modernization and nuclear operations."

He went on to explain each of those four specific areas.

"Readiness gives us the ability to meet the demand of rapidly evolving crisis and the endurance to persist," Everhart said. "Our Airmen are our most precious resources, so we must grow and develop them intentionally to lead tomorrow's Air Force. In order to meet the demands of tomorrow's rapid global mobility, we also need to modernize our legacy aircraft and command and control systems.

"Last but not least, AMC is a necessary component to the success of the Air Force's nuclear enterprise:  that is a no-fail mission, and we train to the highest standards for that reason," the general said.

Everhart added there is always room to grow as individuals to contribute to the big picture of the Air Force.

"The advice I give most: bring your personal best," he said. "This is a calling, not a job. Be focused on what your leadership needs from you not just today, but tomorrow. Regardless of your rank, you're in a position to set up your Air Force for success. You are encouraged to be innovative and question the status quo, bearing in mind that there's a right time and way to do that. Innovation also means changing your own mind -- being inclusive of different people and ideas and questioning unconscious biases that hinder progress."

The general also stressed the Air Force is aware for the need to grow, adding the force is the smallest it has ever been since its establishment.

"Although we had to endure difficult cuts in the past couple of years, I can tell you with absolute confidence that our senior leaders are committed to making sure we have enough Airmen to accomplish the mission," said Everhart. "The Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Staff of the Air Force testified to Congress last month that we'll see a modest increase in the total force from 311,000 to 317,000 Airmen, and they intend to incrementally increase the force to meet rising demands.  But that will depend on various factors, including whether we can recruit the right talent.  Make no mistake, you are part of an elite team right now."

Both Everhart and Frey encouraged all Airmen within the command to brag about what they do and to be proud each and every day adding that they both love being able to brag about "their Airmen."

"Every 2.8 minutes there is an AMC aircraft taking off, 365 days a year," said Frey. "We deliver no matter what, but without Airmen we don't have air power and air power is not generated without great Airmen. Airmen make it happen."