Travis specializes in doing the impossible

  • Published
  • By Col. Joel Jackson
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing commander

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - On Feb. 20, 2015, I was given the esteemed honor of leading the greatest Air Force wing in the world and, during the next 16 months, had a front-row seat at one of the greatest demonstrations of mobility power I have ever witnessed. 

Every day this wing had a global impact. Whether it was assisting a strike against an enemy target in Syria, saving the life of an Airman at David Grant USAF Medical Center or forming strong bonds with our local partners outside the gates, the men and women of Travis Air Force Base, California, made it happen. 

During the period of my command, Travis Air Force Base Airmen and civilians have done a lot.  On the operations side, we take the fight to Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in the opening days of the Syrian conflict. We lifted a C-5M to new heights, breaking 46 records and cementing the C-5M Super Galaxy in aviation history. We brought wounded family members back from the horrific attacks in Brussels, Belgium. 

However, none of this was possible without the first-class support functions across our base. 

The maintenance team at Travis has the complex task of managing three separate weapons systems and their steadfast commitment to duty is nothing short of exceptional.  During my time here, they led the conversion and modification of both the C-5M and the KC-10.  They did all this while still maintaining a breathtaking mission capability rate across all platforms.

The medical professionals at DGMC work tirelessly to give our base and the surrounding community the medical support that we need.  They just recently saved the life of one of our own after a terrible accident at the loading docks and earlier in the year were awarded “AMC’s Large Hospital of the Year” Award.  Their innovation and daily efforts never go unnoticed and their impact is felt across the base and outside the gates.

Our mission support team leads the way in not only providing the infrastructure and supplies required to carry out the mission, but the base facilities which allow our Airmen and their families to feel at home during their time at Travis.  This team is the backbone of the wing and allows all of us to come to work and carry out the mission every day. 

No one knows exactly what’s next for Travis, but I can guarantee you that the phone will continue to ring at the 60th Air Mobility Wing. You will be called on, again and again, to take on missions and tasks that might seem insurmountable.  Remember, we specialize in accomplishing those tasks that seem impossible.  We organize, train and equip every day to take on the hardest tasks and execute the toughest missions with precision and accuracy. 

Long after each of us have moved on, Travis and the 60th Air Mobility Wing will continue to protect this great county because of the great airmen and civilians that we boast. It has been one of my life’s greatest pleasures to lead such a superb group of individuals.  Please always remember that each and every job at Travis plays a significant role in mission success. 

Thank you for your steadfast devotion to our wing, our Air Force and our United States.