Team Travis Year in Review

  • Published
  • By Col. Jeff Nelson
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Happy New Year! I hope each of you had an opportunity to enjoy some time off during the holidays. As we enter 2019 ready to tackle any new challenges the New Year may bring, I would like to take a moment to recall some of the outstanding accomplishments the 60th Air Mobility Wing achieved over the past year.

If I could sum up 2018 in one word, it would be readiness. Team Travis experienced a renewed emphasis on readiness, to include executing several base-wide exercises – the largest in years. We also carried out the day-to-day operations to support and defend our nation. On top of everything we accomplished, we also celebrated our 75th year as a military aviation installation. 2018 was a tremendous year, and we should all be proud.

The 60th Operations Group enabled rapid global mobility to support the fight both at home and abroad. The 6th Air Refueling Squadron prepared themselves for full spectrum readiness by participating in exercises Neptune Falcon, Golden Thunder, Albacore Rising and Valiant Shield. The 9th ARS continued combat operations through the flawless execution of more than 700 combat sorties. The 21st Airlift Squadron continued to set themselves apart through innovation, spearheading the installation of a state-of-the-art mission-planning cell, and collaborating with Air Force Research Laboratory on an aircrew sleep study to improve our understanding of work/sleep cycles. Additionally, they accrued more flight hours than any other C-17 squadron in the Air Force. The 22nd AS led an aircraft staging location for a historic summit in North Korea, ensuring peaceful diplomatic talks in the Pacific region, and flew the first C-5M Super Galaxy supporting troop movements to our own border. Finally, the 60th Operations Support Squadron helped author a letter of agreement between the Federal Aviation Agency and the Department of Defense regarding small unmanned aircraft systems and provided support for 2,800 missions and 31,000 flight hours.

Our 60th Maintenance Group remained lean and fit to fight last year, standing undaunted in the face of challenges. Always prepared, the 60th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron facilitated the delivery of critical equipment to Kilauea, Hawaii, in the wake of disruptive volcanic activity. They also generated seven C-5M, carrying 50 tons of cargo, enabling urgent missions to support the repair of Wake Island’s mooring buoy. This skilled group of Airmen also enabled the launch of not one, but two noteworthy spacecraft this year:  NASA’s InSight lander and the Advanced Extremely High Frequency communications satellite. The lander recently completed its journey to Mars, where it will investigate the deep interior of the Red Planet. Our maintenance Airmen received high praise for their timely troubleshooting of issues that could have prevented the launch of the communications satellite, which will be utilized by both the U.S. President and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Continuing to foster their innovative spirit, the 60th MXG implemented a new training tool with the help of GoPros and Youtube, creating an online catalogue of helpful “how-to” videos. Additionally, they eliminated outdated forms, implemented new equipment on their servicing trucks, and conducted several studies aimed at improving efficiency in scheduling, taskings, and readiness. Despite rarely encountering these specific sets of missions, the MXG responded swiftly and boldly, employing their expertise at a moment’s notice.

The warrior medics of the 60th Medical Group at David Grant USAF Medical Center proved why they are the finest in the Air Force yet again this year. In addition to winning 27 awards at the Major Command level, the hospital was awarded the Meritorious Performing Hospital for 2018 – the only DoD facility to win this award three years in a row! The Clinical Investigation Facility was awarded the Function Mission Team Award in the category of Research and Development. The outstanding accomplishments in the field of healthcare by the CIF team represent great advances in military medicine, science and worldwide healthcare. Their scientific breakthroughs will positively impact the survivability of our warfighters, and will translate to better outcomes for all patients. The 60th MDG also stayed on the cutting edge of readiness through the planning, coordination and execution of multiple large-scale exercises including U.S. Transportation Command’s Ultimate Caduceus and Southern Hope, along with the first National Disaster Medical System Federal Coordination Center exercise in five years! Finally, they were able to provide much-needed medical care in support of relief efforts for both Hurricanes Florence and Michael.

The proud 60th Mission Support Group demonstrated unparalleled service while “working towards yes,” and continuously improving processes and support. Our 60th Contracting Squadron exemplified fiscal stewardship while working towards yes in the execution of the largest year-end program. They ensured an on-time execution of 23 requirements at DGMC, all while finding over $39 million in savings for implementation. The 60th Security Forces Squadron supported global readiness and training through a coordinated base-wide surge in firing operations at the range. They maintained operations at an unprecedented seven days a week for nearly three months – a 300 percent surge in weapons qualifications! The 60th Logistics Readiness Squadron continued to deliver remarkable natural disaster support above and beyond their core duties. They quickly responded to the Nelson Fire, a local disaster that raged dangerously close to our own installation, and provided critical support when Hurricane Michael devastated Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. Our 60th Force Support Squadron continues to impress and develop a strong, resilient fighting force. They assisted 326 Team Travis personnel in achieving higher education degrees with $2.8 million in tuition assistance awarded. Additionally, they were awarded the USAF Hennessy Travelers Association Award of Excellence and the USAF Sustainment Services Flight of the Year!

The 60th Comptroller Squadron and the Wing Staff Agencies continued to provide outstanding support across the wing and installation. The 60th Comptroller Squadron led the fiscal year 2018 closeout and ensured we were prepared to accept additional end-of-year funding. The team did an incredible job ensuring we were prepared and set us on a strong path as we entered fiscal year 2019. The Phoenix Spark Innovation office executed multiple events and projects that had a direct impact on our wing's mission, morale and operational capability. The nine-member team, spanning multiple organizations across the wing, was responsible for the execution of the first-ever Intel drone show on a DoD installation, which coincided with our nation’s birthday. The event hosted more than 4,000 service members and their families, with more than 7.8 million online views, and 425 broadcast mentions including CNN, USA Today, Good Morning America and Wired Magazine.

Every individual at Travis Air Force Base should be proud of their contributions to achieving our mission success. 2018 successfully closed with the unparalleled improvements and strong work ethic that allowed us to set the Air Force standard and establish new achievements and awards.

As we begin 2019 and face the new opportunities and challenges that are sure to accompany it, I know we will stand ready with the same energy and enthusiasm from this past year. Team Travis will remain as America’s finest mobility force and I am excited to see where we will soar in 2019—No Bounds!