Air Mobility Command Airmen who deploy are traveling a little lighter -- nearly 90 pounds lighter -- thanks to the mobility bag pre-positioning initiative.

The program, now in its second phase, will allow 5,000 Airmen -- about 1,000 from AMC -- to deploy without carrying the typical three mobility bags. The lighter loads will save AMC the constant effort of moving 140 to 150 pallets of cargo in each direction -- roughly the equivalent of eight C-17 Globemaster III missions or four C-5 Galaxy missions each way.

Previously, Airmen were required to travel with three standard mobility bags: the A-Bag, which contained general purpose equipment, weighing about 14 pounds; the B-Bag, which contained cold weather gear, if needed, weighing about 17 pounds; and the C-Bag, carrying chemical warfare defense equipment, weighing about 19 pounds. Some Airmen were required to carry individual body armor which weighs about 37 pounds.

With mobility bags already in theater, deploying Airmen will only have to carry their gas masks, about 5 pounds.

"AMC had a vested interest in the program since we were responsible for paying the fees to move (the mobility bags)," said Capt. Marcia Leonard, chief of AMC mobility readiness support. In (the secretary of the Air Force's) most recent Letter to Airmen, he highlighted the programs benefits, noting that 'We avoid over $32 million per year in airlift costs.'"

The concept of pre-positioning mobility equipment was originally introduced in Operation Desert Storm, but didn't become a reality until spring of 2005 when U.S. Central Command Air Forces and AMC began a test phase, Captain Leonard said. Before the test phase began, Airmen turned in their mobility and chemical warfare bags before redeploying. These bags were used as the initial stocks, then pre-positioned in newly established expeditionary theater distribution centers.

Phase one of the program included a small test of about 100 AMC Airmen deploying without bags. While the test was an overall success, Captain Leonard said a few issues arose.

"This is the first time we've ever done something of this magnitude with troop movement," said Cory LaGrow, command individual mobility equipment manager. A few of the challenges faced included communication gaps, item management issues and lack of space in the distribution centers.

To overcome these challenges, AMC worked closely with Headquarters Air Force and CENTAF on a weekly basis. Some solutions they have come up with involve creating continuity with management positions on 365-day rotations, and enhanced data reporting and computerized accountability, Captain Leonard said.

"It's been a great team effort from everybody," Mr. LaGrow said, adding that the most impressive work has come from the young Airmen who work behind the scenes in mobility war readiness. "They are the ones who make this happen day in and day out. They contribute a lot to the fight."

The ultimate goal is to have 100 percent of mobility bags pre-positioned by May. In the meantime, AMC, air staff, CENTAF and all other agency officials involved will continue to perfect the program, easing the burden of transporting mobility gear on both AMC and the Airmen who had to carry it.

"It's not only a huge benefit for AMC financially, but also a huge morale boost for the Airman who doesn't have to haul bags with them," Captain Leonard said. "It's a great step forward in our initiatives to improve global velocity."

(Courtesy of Air Mobility Command News Service)