615th CRW vice commander departs

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Donald Osborn
  • 60 Air Mobility Wing pubic affairs
TRAVIS AFB, Calif. --  Col. Richard A. McClain, 615th Contingency Response Wing vice commander, will depart Travis to become the first commander of the 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii which will stand up as a new wing within Pacific Air Forces, June 5 as an en route structure in the Pacific for getting people, cargo and patients to and from war zones. 

As vice commander of the 615th CRW, he served as assistant to the commander for one of two specialized wings in the Air Force, providing professional multifunctional teams to extend Air Mobility infrastructure and establish initial airbase opening capability through rapid forward deployment. 

The wing consists of more than 700 personnel organized in three contingency response groups, a contingency operations support group, eight associated squadrons and six Air Mobility Liaison Officer Operating Locations at Army and Marine Corps bases. 

"The past 15 months at Travis have been tremendously rewarding for Karen and me. We've made so many friends across Team Travis and we will miss them all," said Colonel McClain. "The most rewarding time was being a part of the 615th CRW and working with the fantastic men and women who carry out this unique and demanding mission." 

Colonel McClain received his commission in 1984 from Fayetteville State University and earned his wings in 1985 at Mather AFB, Calif. He has served as an instructor/evaluator navigator on the KC-135A in addition to serving in various positions while flying the KC-135R. His staff assignments include assistant chief, AMC Tanker Counterdrug Operations; executive officer to the commander; chief, tanker assignments; chief, squadron commander assignments; wing executive officer; Director of Operations, HQ AF Deputy Chief for Force Development; and Director of Personnel's Issue Team. 

He was also commander, 6th Operations Support Squadron and has attended both Air Command and Staff College and Air War College. He also served as the United States Transportation Command Liaison to HQ United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, and United States Forces Korea, and vice commander, 615th CRW before accepting his assignment as the 515th AMOW commander. 

The 515th AMOW will become the headquarters for the existing 715th Air Mobility Operations Group, also at Hickam, and the new 515th AMOG at Yokota Air Base, Japan. About 1,800 personnel are assigned to the new wing. More than half will stay with the 715th AMOG and its three squadrons, supporting flights transiting Hickam, Anderson Air Force Base, Guam and Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. The new 515th AMOG at Yokota will have operational control over the three squadrons at Osan Air Base, Korea, Kadena Air Base, Japan, and Yokota. 

"Karen and I look forward to moving to Hawaii and standing up AMC's newest
Wing, the 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing," said Colonel McClain. "The men and women who execute AMC's Enroute System are among the finest serving our Air Force and we're proud to be joining AMC's Pacific Mobility Warriors in their daily task of supporting the warfighter." 

Colonel McClain and his family are joining another of Travis' former leadership in Hawaii. 

"Karen and I also look forward to working side-by-side Col. GI and Susie Tuck as they take the helm of the 15th Airlift Wing," he said.
As for some his colleagues he leaves behind here, they will truly miss him. 

"I've known Colonel McClain ... Rich, for over ten years," said Col. Tony Hinen, 615th CRW commander. "He's the best ... a phenomenal leader, incredibly talented, hard working and has a great sense of humor. He will excel as a wing commander, and we will miss him sorely at Travis."