by Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
Air Mobility Command Public Affairs
11/23/2009 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFNS) -- Air Mobility Command officials welcomed a new commander in a ceremony Nov. 20 at Scott Air Force Base.
Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr. took command of AMC from Gen. Arthur J. Lichte, and will be responsible for providing rapid, global mobility and sustainment for America's armed forces.
As the commander, General Johns acts as the lead agent for all mobility air forces composed of more than 130,000 personnel from the active duty, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve. The command also plays a crucial role in providing humanitarian support at home and around the world.
General Johns comes to AMC from the Pentagon where he served as deputy chief of staff for strategic plans and programs at Headquarters Air Force. Past assignments with AMC include serving as the 62nd Airlift Wing commander at McChord AFB, Wash., 60th Operations Group commander at Travis AFB, Calif., and senior director at the Tanker Airlift Control Center at Scott AFB.
"Though I've been away from the command for a few years, AMC is part of my blood," General Johns said. "AMC is part of the fabric of my Air Force life."
General Johns graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1977 and is a command pilot with more than 4,500 flying hours in the C-17 Globemaster III, C-141 Starlifter, T-38 Talon, VC-25, N/K/C-135, KC-10 Extender and C-5 Galaxy. The general has served at U.S. European Command in security assistance and congressional affairs, and at U.S. Pacific Command as deputy director of strategic plans and policy.
In addressing the men and women of AMC, General Johns acknowledged that it's the people who make AMC's global mission happen every day delivering the needed capabilities.
"It's you who execute the mission," he said.
General Johns also noted the importance of recognizing the commitment and sacrifice of families in today's Air Force.
"When you leave your loved ones and you get in that aircraft, travel halfway around the world, and support and defend someone you don't even know, that takes a real personal and family commitment," General Johns said.
AMC officials play a critical role in both Iraq and Afghanistan through its airlift, tanker, and aeromedical evacuation capabilities while providing humanitarian support around the world. Its extensive daily flying operations average an aircraft takeoff every 90 seconds.
