USAFEC holds Next-Gen AMOW codification sprint

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  • U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  

In order to accelerate change in an era of Great Power Competition, the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center has launched an effort to standardize and codify Air Mobility Teams and Air Mobility Elements to effectively optimize and scale air mobility support operations.

The 515th and 521st Air Mobility Operations Wings came together to discuss how to better organize, train, and equip the wings as well as discuss tactics, techniques, and procedures that will allow the wings to better position their forces at the point of need.

“A properly postured, flexible, and resilient Global Air Mobility Support System is critical to effective logistics in Great Power Competition,” said Lt Col Austin Deeney, USAFEC Chief of Strategy and Plans. “In the last year, our AMOWs have made great strides to develop and employ the AMTs throughout the Indo-Pacific and European theaters.”

The GAMSS is a logistics network of Total Force Mobility Airmen and capabilities necessary to project, connect, maneuver, and sustain joint combat power anywhere on the globe, from the ground up.

“The inability to standardize our Air Mobility Squadrons and create scalable/deployable force packages harms our ability to properly articulate risk to the joint force. We must also codify and standardize our AMT training program, or we risk having gaps and vulnerabilities in delivering the nodal velocity and flexibility needed to explode into theater and maneuver the joint force,” Deeney said. “It’s up to us to lead the charge and ensure our operational wings are prepared for the fight to get to the fight.”

The Department of the Air Force has historically adapted at key inflection points to best compete in emerging security landscapes. As forces confront this strategic environment, they must do what they have always done in moments like this: change.

“AMTs allow our senior leaders the capability to create additional throughput capacity and build a more dynamic platform while maintaining that same capability from their home station,” said Master Sgt. Aaron Luetzen, 721st Aerial Port Squadron, Combat Readiness Flight Chief. “I’m excited to see how far we can take the AMT concept and how well it integrates in with the en route system and how we can support not only our joint, but foreign partners around the world.”

In an effort to support the AMT concept, the AMOWs have made a deliberate effort to develop “Mission Ready Airmen” with training focused on a mix of skills needed for wartime operational mission readiness.

“The MRA Academy plays a crucial role in creating the Airmen needed for Next Generation AMOW,” said Senior Master Sgt. Iris Valentin Sanabria, 721st Mobility Support Squadron senior enlisted leader. “It equips our Airmen with multifaceted maintenance and aerial port skills that enhance their preparedness for a wide array of tasks and situations. This adaptability is vital in a dynamic operational environment, where versatility is key to overcoming challenges. Additionally, the program fosters a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose among Airmen, creating a more cohesive and resilient workforce.”

For the first time, Air Mobility Command recently tested a new AME concept as part of Exercise BAMBOO EAGLE. The force package increases aerial port and maintenance capabilities to four times that of a single AMT. BAMBOO EAGLE provided the opportunity to leverage an AME to rapidly disaggregate from a single hub to multiple spoke locations, putting air mobility support warfighters further into the fight at a faster rate.

The USAFEC has made it a priority to institutionalize and fund capabilities, innovations, and force packages for repeatable operational use and sustainment.