Matthew Donovan, under secretary of the Air Force, Gen. Maryanne Miller, Air Mobility Command commander, mobility leaders and past legends helped several thousand mobility Airmen kick off the Airlift/Tanker Association’s 51st A/TA Convention, Technology Expo and Industry Interface Oct. 23 in Orlando, Florida.

The conference, which runs through Oct. 26, is a professional development opportunity offering AMC personnel and Total Force mobility partners exposure to forums, speeches, seminars and workshops geared toward bolstering knowledge of the mobility enterprise.

“A/TA is a great opportunity for Airmen to engage with current and former senior leaders, industry partners and peers to share ideas, provide mentoring and talk about the future of our Mobility Air Force,” said Gen. Miller. “We must intentionally broaden our Airmen’s experiences and ensure they are postured to operate with and lead the joint force."

This year’s A/TA theme is Compete-Deter-Win, Delivered & Fueled Today, Tomorrow, Together. With this focus, Airmen will participate in working groups covering an assortment of topics including airlift, aerial refueling, cyber and global communications, logistics and aerial port functions.

Defense senior leaders are also slated to highlight mobility Airmen by recognizing them for their accomplishments throughout the year. The conference kicked off with Donovan delivering the keynote address to and taking questions from Airmen about future Air Force initiatives and challenges, before helping Miller and former Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ron Fogelman, recognized Maj. Mark Walkusky, a communications officer currently assigned to the Cyberspace Operations and Plans Division at Headquarters AMC, who was awarded the Gen. Fogelman Award as the top Advanced Studies of Air Mobility (ASAM) graduate.

“I look forward to being inspired by spending time with our supremely talented Airmen from across AMC,” said Chief Master Sgt. Terrence Greene, AMC command chief. “I commend all those responsible for the enormous strides AMC has made in 2019 to meet the vision of the command and the Air Force while supporting the joint force.”

Approximately 2,000 current and former mobility leaders and legends, including Col. Gail Halvorsan, the Berlin Airlift’s famed ‘candy bomber,’ were on hand at the opening ceremonies before joining industry partners, civic leaders and other guests for dinner, conversation and the start of three days of professional development and networking.

“When Airmen come together to grow and build connections with peers and senior leaders, it only strengthens our force,” Miller said. “With our transformation to a warfighting headquarters, it is these mobility Airmen who will ensure we remain front and center, leading the rapid global mobility capabilities for our warfighters as we compete, deter and win on behalf of our nation.”