New mobility commander to continue raising the bar

  • Published
  • By Roger Drinnon
  • Air Mobility Command Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFPN) --  Air Mobility Command's new commander said he will strive to deliver what America and the command's Airmen deserve: a continued pursuit of excellence in global air mobility.

"We're going to keep raising the bar -- we'll keep going farther and farther with this command," said Gen. Arthur J. Lichte after the change-of-command ceremony here Sept. 7. "My plan is, over the next couple of months, to go out and visit all the Air Mobility Command bases and then put together a game plan."

He said efforts to recapitalize the mobility fleet will remain a top priority.

"You can expect I'll be continuing on with the plan the Air Force has for Air Mobility Command," he said, emphasizing the next-generation tanker, KC-X, as the Air Force's No. 1 acquisition priority.

"Bringing on a new tanker is our top priority," he said. "Having been a tanker guy myself over the years, we need to move on with the (KC-X) program. We need to keep modernizing and recapitalizing our Air Force."

General Lichte came to AMC from the Pentagon, where he was the assistant vice chief of staff of the Air Force. He replaces Gen. Duncan McNabb, who moves on to become the Air Force vice chief of staff. General Lichte, who's served in a number of positions throughout AMC and at U.S. Transportation Command headquarters, said he's honored to serve at Scott AFB again.

"The command has a fine tradition and a great legacy," General Lichte said. "I'm happy to have the opportunity to be (AMC's) commander."

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