Exceptional 2014 sets bar high for '15

  • Published
  • By Col. Corey Martin
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Happy New Year Golden Bears and welcome back to what promises to be an exciting and dynamic year at Travis Air Force Base. Travis' ability to increase efficiency through innovation has been recognized across the Air Force as evidenced by the 60th Air Mobility Wing winning the 2014 Air Force Outstanding Unit and Mobility Air Forces Fuel Efficiency Operations Team of the Year awards and Travis being named Air Mobility Command's Commander-In-Chief Installation Award winner.  To celebrate the many successes that you accomplished in 2014, I'd like to acknowledge a few of the wing's greatest accomplishments throughout the year.

In 2014, we met multiple challenges with the outstanding effort and excellence that I have come to expect from the Golden Bears.  You faced budgetary limitations, large scale force shaping and a transition to a brand new aircraft, all while supporting retrograde operations in Afghanistan and the global effort to contain Ebola.  Needless to say, this was a busy year but you persevered and excelled.

One of the year's major milestones occurred when we welcomed the C-5M Super Galaxy to our fleet with open arms.  Equipped with new engines, the Super Galaxy's increased cargo capacity and range dramatically increases Travis' capability to support the war effort anywhere in the world.  In fact, Travis' C-5Ms proved critical in moving over 2.7 million pounds of cargo in only 60 days.  Elsewhere, Travis C-17s were the busiest in the command and have been vital in the transport of life-saving medical teams and supplies to Ebola ravaged countries in Africa while our KC-10s participated in some of the first-ever refuelings of the CV-22, dramatically increasing the capabilities of Special Operations Forces to Combatant Commanders. 

David Grant Medical Center opened the Fisher House II in May, more than doubling the capacity of the Fisher Houses. We can now support 220 families per year. They also opened the first-ever Musculoskeletal Clinic in March. It was no surprise when they were once again named AMC's Hospital of the Year! 

Our Mission Support Group has been on the forefront of innovation, leading the Air Force's Total Force Logistics Readiness integration. Travis will be the first base to combine our Active and Reserve forces into one Logistics Readiness squadron. Our Contracting and Civil Engineer Squadron diligently worked to successfully closeout the fiscal year, receiving the most supplemental funding in AMC. You will see their hard work come to fruition soon through many base improvements.   

Continuing the spirit of innovation, the 860th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron garnered AMC's Productivity Excellence Award for their ingenious reorganization of C-17 Home Station Checks and work card rewrites.  Their efficiencies have a projected annual savings of $2 million.  Our Maintenance Group was the first in the Air Force to validate Mobile Joint Engineering Disposition Infrastructure (JEDI).  It is a Skype-like technology that enhances engineer decisions and cuts an estimated 500 hours per year in aircraft downtime. The 60th Aerial Port Squadron was named the California Air Force Association 2013 Unit of the Year, No. 1 out of 96 units.  This excellence led the 60th MXG to win the Air Force Daedalians Award, the No. 1 MXG in the Air Force.

I could go on and on about your myriad of accomplishments this year, but what it all boils down to is this:  the Golden Bears were impressive in 2014.  You provided Airpower through Bear Power each and every day.  Every tenant, group, squadron and individual here at Travis should be proud of their contributions to the mission. Your unparalleled improvements and strong work ethic allowed us to set the Air Force standard and establish new records. 

As we begin 2015 and face the new opportunities that are sure to accompany it, I know the Golden Bears will stand ready with the same energy and enthusiasm that I saw from each of you this past year.  Your hard work and dedication are commendable.  Paraphrasing Secretary James' comment on how AMC's work impacts the entire U.S. military, "without Air Mobility, the whole thing would fall apart." You are the backbone of this statement.  The Golden Bear Legacy of Excellence is in your hands. Let's make 2015 our best year yet.