AMC restructuring will enhance air mobility

  • Published
  • By Gen. Ray Johns Jr.
  • Commander, Air Mobility Command
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Mobility Airmen, it's an honor to announce that beginning Jan. 7, 2011, the command is realigning its structure to better meet the challenges of our ever-evolving mission. These changes will remain largely transparent for most of you. However, the net effect will enable 18th Air Force to focus on serving as the air component of USTRANSCOM, and the Expeditionary Center to focus on expeditionary and installation support missions.

Effective Jan. 7, the following units will report directly to the Expeditionary Center: 43rd Airlift Wing at Pope AFB, 319th Air Refueling Wing at Grand Forks AFB, 87th Air Base Wing at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, 627th Air Base Group at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and 628th Air Base Wing at Joint Base Charleston. The airlift and air mobility wings at our joint bases will remain under 18th Air Force, as well as the remaining AMC wings, and our two Expeditionary Task Forces.

Under the new construct, 18th Air Force can better focus on centralized command and control, contingency response, and enroute operations. This realignment enables AMC's only numbered Air Force to remain centered on serving as the operational air arm for USTRANSCOM.

Additionally, AMC needs to meet increasing demands for installation support functions. Assigning command and control of expeditionary training and education -- as well as installation support missions -- to the NAF-level equivalent Expeditionary Center allows a natural division of responsibilities. It also provides a more centralized focus on expeditionary combat support and supports new joint base units and units located at other non-traditional bases.

While this restructuring empowers AMC to better accomplish our mission, it does so at minimal cost. AMC implements this change without physically moving forces or senior leadership. A small personnel increase-fewer than 15 people-will be allocated to the Expeditionary Center staff, and will be sourced from within the command.

This restructuring provides a more concentrated focus on our evolving mission sets-enabling us to effectively support the warfighter and our people-ensuring Mobility Airmen remain mission ready well into the future.