AMC aircrews reach million sorties milestone

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SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFPN) --  Air Mobility Command passed a major milestone Nov. 19, when an AMC aircraft flew the command's one millionth sortie since September 11, 2001.

The landmark flight was a C-17 mission flown to Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan. The crew was from the 62nd Airlift Wing's 10th Airlift Squadron, McChord AFB, Wash.

"AMC is firmly in the fight," said Gen. Arthur Lichte, AMC commander. "Whether it's flying airlift, tanker or aeromedical missions in and out of combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan, humanitarian relief missions to hurricane and earthquake ravaged areas, or supporting UN peacekeeping missions as it did recently in Darfur, AMC is there.

"This milestone is a tribute to the men and women who fly, maintain, support and control these aircraft. The excellence they demonstrate every day will no doubt continue for the next million missions, wherever they may be," General Lichte said.

A sortie is defined as a single takeoff and landing. The milestone includes all operational missions, training missions and commercial contract missions flown by the command.

Other mobility facts:

- About every 90 seconds a mobility aircraft lifts off somewhere in the world.

- Since Sept. 11, 2001, AMC tankers have passed nearly 1.2 billion gallons of fuel to U.S. and allied aircraft.

- AMC airlift is keeping about 12,000 people and almost 5,000 trucks off Iraqi roads each month, helping to defeat the enemy's IED strategy.

- AMC aircraft are responsible for transporting the nation's senior leaders, including the president.

- AMC is rushing about 12 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles to Iraq and Afghanistan every day. The command has delivered more than 1,000 MRAPs.

- AMC aeromedical crews provide timely airlift and medical care to their fellow warriors, rapidly moving injured service members from the battlefield to the U.S. 

(Courtesy of Air Mobility Command Public Affairs)

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