AMC hosts squadron commander course Published Feb. 2, 2023 By Tech. Sgt. Robert Hicks U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center Public Affairs Staff JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Maj. Gen. John Klein, U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center commander, briefed future leaders at Air Mobility Command’s Squadron Commander Course at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Jan. 23-27, 2023. The course is designed to prepare incoming squadron commanders to better care for Airmen and their families by equipping them with resources and networking opportunities. Throughout the week the commanders and their spouses were briefed on the importance of crisis management, equal opportunity, sexual assault prevention and response, family advocacy, mental health, and key spouse topics of interest. “This was a great experience; the command team and the mentors underscored the significance of our Airmen as the most valuable asset,” said Maj. Joel Banjo-Johnson, Air Force Global Strike Command public affairs operations chief, and future 43d Force Support Squadron commander at Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina. “The opportunity to engage with fellow squadron commanders was priceless.” They also had the opportunity to spend interactive time with Klein as he discussed the USAFEC mission and the importance of a disciplined personal routine to deliver the best of themselves to their Airmen. “My wife and I were amazed at the amount of time and targeted attention that Maj. Gen. Klein, Gen. Minihan, the command teams and their spouses dedicated to the group,” said Lt. Col. LesLee Roderick, Headquarters Air Force. “There is no mistaking the priority of imprinting new commanders with AMC leadership's vision and intent. I can't imagine a better way to get strategic guidance to the tactical level.” Even though leaders attending the event have not yet taken on their new positions as commanders, this event provides them the knowledge to transition seamlessly to these new roles while providing them with the space to think critically. “Airmen are the most potent weapon system in our U. S. Air Force, and as commanders, we have to take advantage of any opportunity to better educate ourselves, so we have the necessary tools to directly impact our Airmen and their families,” Klein said. “Our Airmen and their families need, and the future of the Air Force depends upon, a culture and environment of excellence in which everyone can reach their full potential.” Maj. Joseph McIntosh, 377th Force Support Squadron commander, and future 87th Force Support Squadron commander at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, expressed the importance of the USAFEC being prepared to move on Gen. Minihan's vision of a ready Mobility force, and he’s excited for the opportunity to contribute. “The engagement during the AMC Commander's Course was extremely helpful in shaping the picture of how the bases tie into the overall mission and vision,” McIntosh said. “It was better getting to know how everyone operates via "informal" engagements such as a dinner, it allowed an opportunity for the different career fields to ask pointed questions on how best to support the USAFEC enterprise.”