Task forces enhance global mobility support

  • Published
  • By Col. Dave Thurston
  • Air Mobility Command Public Affairs
DALLAS (AFPN) --  Air Mobility Command’s expeditionary mobility task forces, now a year old, were highlighted during the 2004 Airlift/Tanker Association Convention here Oct. 29.

Brig. Gen. Bobby J. Wilkes, commander of the 21st Expeditionary Mobility Task Force at McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., described the units as AMC’s response to a new and very different security environment.

“The 21st century Air Force is all about global engagement, but with one-third fewer people and two-thirds fewer overseas bases,” the general said. “We are faced with four times as many deployments with an average of 14,600 people and more than 220 aircraft deployed at any one time.

“Confronting today’s threats means dispatching forces from the continental U.S. to austere locations where there is little or no infrastructure,” he said. “(The task forces) are traveling teams, and we must often build facilities upon arrival.”

But the general emphasized the command had little choice.

“The bottom line was to become expeditionary or risk serious consequences,” he said.

General Wilkes used a sports analogy to describe what led to the creation of the task forces.

“The changing environment doesn’t change the rules of a football game,” he said, “but it does change how we line up on the field.”

Recognizing the rapidly changing security environment last year, Gen. John W. Handy, commander of U.S. Transportation Command and AMC, changed the line-up by consolidating what had been two numbered air forces into one, the 18th Air Force at Scott AFB, Ill. The former 15th and 21st Air Forces were deactivated and, in their place, the task forces were created with the singular goal of enhancing global mobility support to the warfighter, officials said.

The 15th EMTF, commanded by Col. Brooks Bash, provides mobility support to three combatant commands –- U.S. Northern Command, U.S. Southern Command and U.S. Pacific Command.

As the commander, Colonel Bash is the pre-designated director of mobility forces for the Korean peninsula. His overall responsibilities span 40 percent of the Earth’s surface, with the huge distances between land masses presenting very unique challenges.

General Wilkes has a similar mission for his task forces. He also supports three combatant commands –- U.S. European Command, U.S. Central Command and U.S. Joint Forces Command. His responsibilities include 118 countries and vast regions full of historic instability and conflict.

The key to success for both task forces is a flexible en route structure to facilitate rapid air delivery of expeditionary forces from the United States, General Wilkes said.

“The days of significant forward presence and large infrastructure are past,” he said. “U.S. security depends on rapid deployment and global reach.”

Colonel Bash used another sports analogy in describing how the task forces comprise fixed and mobile components and special teams for an effective warfighting focus.

“The fixed component is the front line,” he said. “The mobile component is the backfield and special teams are well, just that –- special teams.

“The division of labor between the components allows the (task force) to synchronize activities of the different nodes of the air mobility network, despite a huge span of control.”

Beginning with the “backfield,” Colonel Bash described each of the components.

“Part of the challenge is responding to areas of the world outside the established air mobility network,” he said. "In those cases, the unique capabilities of our mobile support elements extend the reach and capacity of the system.

“The air mobility operations squadron is a team of cross-functional capabilities trained to plan and execute theater air mobility,” the colonel said. “During times of conflict, members of the [squadron] deploy to Air Operations Centers, although they can also operate independently if necessary.”

Forming the core of theater air mobility expertise, this in-theater team generated more than 400 airlift, air refueling and aeromedical evacuation missions per day during the height of Operation Iraqi Freedom, he said.

“Such impressive results would not be possible without reliable communications,” Colonel Bash said. “(Deployable) communications establish the connectivity that enables (task force Airmen) to play their respective positions on the air mobility team.”

Another part of the backfield is the air mobility squadron comprising operators, transporters and crew chiefs. These light, lean and agile forces must be ready to deploy within 12 hours, self-sustaining, cross-functional and scalable according to mission requirements. The main parts of an air mobility squadron are the Tanker Airlift Control Element, mission support team, and specialized teams for mission support and airfield survey.

“One type of special team is the air mobility liaison officer,” General Wilkes said. “These experienced mobility officers volunteer for duty with Army and Marine units to plan and coordinate airlift. They smooth the seams created by service cultures by translating the air mobility needs of ground forces.

“Another special team is Combat Camera,” the general said. “They document significant events in theater and process imagery from gun cameras and head-up displays for operational assessment in support of national decision making.”

Having described the backfield and special teams, General Wilkes turned to the front line.

“The fixed en route support structure forms the front line of the global air mobility team,” the general said. “Their forward presence, robust facilities and permanently stationed manpower enhances expeditionary operations.”

Fixed air mobility operations group capabilities include terminal and command and control operations, aerial port functions and aircraft maintenance. That capability is represented by 12 passenger terminals in 11 countries and 17 air mobility control centers in 15 countries. Warfighters in operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom have received more than 822,500 tons of cargo and more than 2 million passengers in the past year through this front-line capability.

“Air mobility is all about moving people and cargo,” General Wilkes said. “The terminals take care of people while the ports handle cargo.”

En route aircraft maintainers at 11 locations in 10 countries service and repair C-5 Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster III and C-141 Starlifter aircraft and service commercial planes.

“En route repair capability accelerates air mobility operations,” General Wilkes said. “We overcome the challenge of maintaining various types of aircraft with experienced people and 100 percent manning.” (Courtesy of AMC News Service)