321st AMOS, 621st MSOS provide Operation Southern Border support

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Bradlee Seehawer
  • 321st Air Mobility Operations Squadron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  

As U.S. Transportation Command continues to support the Department of Homeland Security in transporting illegal aliens out of the United States, the 621st Air Mobility Advisory Group has been called upon to help streamline airlift operations.

Three Air Mobility Liaison Officers from the 621st Mobility Support Operations Squadron and two airlift planners from the 321st Air Mobility Operations Squadron deployed to the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol headquarters in Washington, D.C. to provide initial coordination between U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and USTRANSCOM.

This deployment provided the Air Mobility Advisory Group a unique opportunity to demonstrate their experience and knowledge. The AMLOs of the 621st MSOS often embed with Army and Marine units, providing local expertise in requesting and preparing airlift movements.

Members of the 321st AMOS plan airlift, air refueling, and aeromedical evacuation mission at the operational level of war, deploying to Air Operations Centers to provide experts during exercises and contingencies. However, both skillsets proved invaluable to ensuring USTRANSCOM executed their directed mission.

Members of the 621st MSOS and 321st AMOS advised U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the USTRANSCOM Movement Coordination Cell by narrowing down operating locations and helping build the roadmap that defines future operations and support from the Department of Defense.

Airmen with the 321st AMOS leveraged their experience with specialized airlift information systems to bridge the knowledge gap between USTRANSCOM and ICE. Consisting of current and former aircrew, AMOS Airmen were also able to improve the team’s knowledge of cargo and aircraft configurations.

The AMLOs also leveraged their worldwide network, specifically those coordinating deportation nodes in California and Texas, to minimize miscommunication between CBP, the 601st Air Operations Center, and deportation locations, streamlining operations.

“AMAG Airmen are experts at integrating partners to shape and strengthen Rapid Global Mobility,” said Col. Angela Polsinelli, 621st Air Mobility Advisory Group commander. “Our integration with CBP showcases the flexibility of our AMLOs and planners to apply their expertise to bridge gaps wherever Air Mobility Command assets are needed.”

In addition to the support they provided in Washington, D.C., 25 AMLOs and four Expeditionary Air Ground Liaison Element teams accelerated the deployment planning and aerial port preparations of Army and Marine units from 11 locations across the country to the southern border and Guantanamo Bay.

Some of the flights coordinated by members of the 621st AMAG were sent to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where deployed Airmen from the 821st Contingency Response Squadron are supporting Joint Task Force Southern Guard.

Airmen filling the role of AMLO and serving with the 321 AMOS share a unique and connected heritage in the AMAG dating back 50 years. From 1975 to 1991 Tactical Airlift Liaison Officers, the predecessor to the modern-day AMLOs, were assigned to the 1702nd Mobility Support Squadron, the predecessor to the 321st AMOS.