Synergistic air mobility

  • Published
  • By Col. Mark Dillon
  • 60th Air mobility Wing commander
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  It is great to be home after attending Air Mobility Command's Phoenix Rally last week. The three-day, semi-annual conference brings together air mobility senior leaders to focus on our priorities, roles and missions. This spring's conference highlighted the importance of air mobility partnerships -- one of AMC's top five priorities -- which enables the command to "fuel the fight." 

The fuel analogy coined by our MAJCOM commander Gen. Arthur Lichte accurately reflects AMC's amazing combat support capability. AMC Airmen literally and figuratively "fuel the fight." The synergistic efforts of air mobility warriors produce war-winning fuel -- defined by Webster's Dictionary as, "something that stimulates or maintains an activity." 

As the largest of the 12 AMC installations, we exemplify that synergy by partnering active-duty, Reserve, National Guard and civilian Airmen to fuel the fight via airlift, aerial refueling, aeromedical evacuation and global reach laydown capability in support of our nation's security objectives. These security objectives require us to support combat and humanitarian missions around the world. Without AMC fuel, the national security machine cannot run. 

For the past eight years, AMC installations around the world have launched a mobility mission every 90-seconds. To put this into perspective, the Berlin Airlift, considered one of the most remarkable airlift operations in history, launched an aircraft every three minutes for 11 months. The Berlin Airlifters accomplished the inconceivable, established a new standard, and set the foundation for AMC. Today, we proudly continue that air mobility legacy, and in doing so, establish a new standard of excellence for the next generation. 

I am very proud of Team Travis' "fueling" actions to the warfighter. Last year alone, our synergy tallied impressive operational mission statistics accounting for one-third of the refueling, one-eighth of the airlift and one-fifth of the total flying hours accomplished by AMC. The aircrews and weapon systems cannot fulfill these mission requirements without the exceptional mission support, maintenance and medical partnerships. 

The millionaire philanthropist Andrew Carnegie described the importance of synergistic teamwork when he said, "It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results." How else could we continue to support two major conflicts while responding to life-saving humanitarian requirements? It is your hard work, teamwork and dedication which contribute to AMC's record-breaking mobility pace. Total force partnerships across the spectrum of operations are advancing democracy today and safeguarding the future of our nation. Keep up the great work, and as always, thank you and your families for serving!