United States Air Mobility Command

United States Air Mobility Command
Unit name	United States Air Mobility Command
Caption	Shield of the command
Dates	1 June 1992–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Major Command
Role	Airlift, air refueling, aeromedical evacuation, air mobility
Garrison	Scott Air Force Base, Illinois
Garrison label	Headquarters
Nickname	AMC
Motto	Providing Global Reach for America
Commander1 label	Commander

United States Air Mobility Command is the Air Force major command responsible for transport, air refueling, aeromedical evacuation, and air mobility support. Formed in the aftermath of Cold War reorganizations, it consolidated strategic airlift and tanker forces to enable global power projection, humanitarian assistance, and coalition logistics. The command operates a fleet of strategic and tactical aircraft from bases such as Scott Air Force Base, Travis Air Force Base, and Joint Base McGuire–Dix–Lakehurst, supporting operations across combatant commands including United States Central Command, United States European Command, and United States Indo-Pacific Command.

History

The command was established during a period of post-Cold War restructuring influenced by the end of the Cold War and the lessons of the Gulf War. Its lineage traces to earlier organizations such as Military Airlift Command and Strategic Air Command airlift and tanker elements, integrating forces previously assigned to Air Combat Command and Air Force Logistics Command. Early operations included support for Operation Provide Comfort, Operation Restore Hope, and large-scale humanitarian airlifts to regions affected by the Somali Civil War, Rwandan Genocide, and natural disasters like the 1999 İzmit earthquake. AMC assets were pivotal in sustaining combat operations during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, providing critical aerial refueling and strategic airlift for coalition forces.

Mission and Role

The command’s core mission includes strategic and tactical airlift, air refueling, aeromedical evacuation, and air mobility support for joint and combined operations. It provides rapid global mobility for units deploying under United States Transportation Command authorities and supports contingency response for crises such as pandemics and disaster relief exemplified by missions tied to Hurricane Katrina relief and pandemic airlift operations. AMC enables force projection for formations operating in theaters directed by commanders like General Charles Q. Brown Jr. and integrates with partners including NATO, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and multinational logistics networks.

Organization and Structure

AMC is headquartered at Scott Air Force Base and commands numbered air forces such as Eighteenth Air Force, logical groups, and wings stationed at locations including Travis Air Force Base, Joint Base Lewis–McChord, and Dover Air Force Base. Its organizational construct includes operational wings flying aircraft like the C-17 Globemaster III, KC-135 Stratotanker, and C-130 Hercules, as well as support units managing aerial port, maintenance, and aeromedical evacuation missions. AMC coordinates with joint agencies such as United States Transportation Command and interagency partners including Federal Emergency Management Agency during domestic and international contingency operations.

Aircraft and Capabilities

The command operates a diverse fleet ranging from strategic airlifters to tactical transports and aerial refueling tankers. Key airframes include the C-17 Globemaster III for strategic lift, the C-5 Galaxy for outsized cargo, the KC-135 Stratotanker and KC-46 Pegasus for air refueling, and the C-130 Hercules family for theater lift and humanitarian operations. Specialized capabilities include aeromedical evacuation using configurations derived from the Boeing 767 and modular patient support systems, airdrop and tactical airland operations developed through exercises with units like 82nd Airborne Division and 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), and aerial port handling aligned with standards from International Air Transport Association protocols when interfacing with civilian carriers.

Operations and Deployments

AMC conducts sustained global operations, supporting rotational and contingency deployments such as strategic sustainment ofOperation Inherent Resolve, troop and cargo movements for Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, and multinational exercises like RIMPAC and Operation Atlantic Resolve. Humanitarian missions have included rapid responses to the 2010 Haiti earthquake and medical evacuations during pandemics in coordination with United States Southern Command and United States Africa Command. AMC’s expeditionary wings regularly deploy to forward locations to enable theater distribution for formations assigned to United States Central Command and alliance operations with partners including United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan.

Training and Readiness

Readiness is maintained through rigorous aircrew and maintenance training programs conducted at formal schools and bases such as Dover Air Force Base and Little Rock Air Force Base. AMC participates in large-scale mobility exercises including Exercise Mobility Guardian and Exercise Mobility Guardian-aligned training events with joint units like Air National Guard wings and Air Force Reserve Command components. Simulator programs, live airdrop ranges, and aeromedical evacuation training integrate lessons from operations in Iraq and Afghanistan to refine tactics, techniques, and procedures. Sustainment training includes logistics interoperability with civilian supply chains and partnership exercises with allies through forums such as NATO logistics initiatives.

Category:Major commands of the United States Air Force Category:Military units and formations established in 1992