Air Mobility Command
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| Air Mobility Command | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | Air Mobility Command |
| Caption | Emblem of Air Mobility Command |
| Dates | 1 June 1992 – present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Major Command |
| Role | Strategic airlift, air refueling, aeromedical evacuation |
| Size | 49,000 active duty; 300 aircraft |
| Garrison | Scott Air Force Base, Illinois |
| Current commander | General Mike Minihan |
| Notable commanders | General Duncan McNabb, General Carlton D. Everhart II |
Air Mobility Command. It is a Major Command of the United States Air Force responsible for providing global air mobility through strategic airlift, air refueling, and aeromedical evacuation. Headquartered at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, it is a key component of the United States Transportation Command. The command's forces enable the rapid projection of American military power and humanitarian aid across the world.
History
The command was activated on 1 June 1992, consolidating the resources of the inactivated Military Airlift Command and the strategic air refueling forces of the former Strategic Air Command. This reorganization followed the end of the Cold War and lessons from operations like Operation Desert Storm. Key historical predecessors include the Air Transport Command of World War II and the Troop Carrier Command. Throughout its existence, it has been central to major operations, including the War in Afghanistan and the Iraq War, while also responding to global crises such as the 2010 Haiti earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Organization
The command is organized under a headquarters at Scott Air Force Base, which provides policy and oversight to its subordinate units. Its primary operational components are the Eighteenth Air Force, also at Scott, which serves as the warfighting headquarters, and the United States Air Force Expeditionary Center at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. It also maintains a close partnership with the Air Force Reserve Command and the Air National Guard through the Total Force Integration concept. Key directorates within the headquarters manage operations, logistics, and strategic plans.
Aircraft
The fleet consists of specialized aircraft for its core missions. The primary strategic airlifter is the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, while the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy provides heavy-lift capability. The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker and the KC-46 Pegasus are the principal air refueling platforms. Tactical airlift and support missions are flown by the Lockheed C-130 Hercules. For aeromedical evacuation, modified versions of the C-17 and C-130, designated as the AE mission, are utilized alongside the Boeing C-40 Clipper for distinguished visitor transport.
Missions and operations
Its primary mission is global reach, encompassing strategic airlift of troops and cargo, aerial refueling of Department of Defense aircraft, and aeromedical evacuation. It executes continuous operations like the Channel Missions between the Continental United States and theaters such as the Indo-Pacific and Europe. It is integral to Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief efforts worldwide and supports Special Operations Command missions. The command also manages the Civil Reserve Air Fleet and operates the Presidential Airlift Group.
Major units
Major subordinate commands include the Eighteenth Air Force and the United States Air Force Expeditionary Center. Key wings are the 60th Air Mobility Wing at Travis Air Force Base, the 305th Air Mobility Wing at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, and the 437th Airlift Wing at Joint Base Charleston. The 375th Air Mobility Wing operates from its headquarters base at Scott Air Force Base. Other critical units are the 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and the 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing at Ramstein Air Base.
Commanders
Commanders have historically been four-star generals. The first commander was General Hansford T. Johnson. Notable subsequent commanders include General Walter Kross, General John W. Handy, and General Duncan McNabb. Recent commanders are General Carlton D. Everhart II, General Maryanne Miller, and the current commander as of 2023, General Mike Minihan. Many former commanders previously led the Eighteenth Air Force or held senior posts at the United States Transportation Command.
Category:Major commands of the United States Air Force Category:Military logistics organizations Category:1992 establishments in the United States