SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFNS) -- Twenty-First Air Force reactivated Sept. 5, realigning units from the Eighteenth Air Force and U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center under the new Numbered Air Force structure responsible for Air Mobility Command’s forces.
The NAF activation and command structure realignment allows AMC and subordinate units to achieve a more effective posture, diversify mission sets and better equip Airmen to project and sustain power at relevant speed, scale and distance in support of national strategic objectives.
“Today, the USAF Expeditionary Center and the USAF Expeditionary Operations School are going to continue to thrive. Right next to it, we are going to stand up the 21st Air Force,” said Gen. John Lamontagne, AMC commander. “The vision was to take the 18th Air Force, at 30,000 strong, and the USAF Expeditionary Center, at 11,000 strong, and bring those to about even. We are going to put flying operations at both Numbered Air Forces, put the global air mobility support system in both Numbered Air Forces, and bring unity of command, at the NAF level for the installations, to have a clear prioritization of what needs to be done.”
Lamontagne presided over the 21st AF activation ceremony, where Maj. Gen. Darren Cole assumed responsibility for leading the Air Force’s newest numbered air force. Cole is now responsible for nine wings, one group, the Expeditionary Operations School and associated subordinate units that enable contingency response efforts, humanitarian aid and global-reach operations in support of national objectives.
“For the last 13 years, the Expeditionary Center has a proud history of organizing, training and equipping the global air mobility support system, sustaining critical power-projection bases, and training Airmen for expeditionary missions,” Cole said. “As we consider the future, we have to change. With the activation of the 21st AF, our mission is to deliver rapid global mobility excellence. It is in our DNA, it is who we are as mobility Airmen, and it is the standard. It is time to deliver.”
Cole will also lead the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center as a dual-hatted commander. No units will be physically moving and the center’s mission will continue alongside the Twenty-First Air Force.