SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. –
AMC officials announced plans Dec. 7 to restructure some command and control functions, commonly referred to as C2, effective Jan. 7, 2011.
The command's 18th Air Force will focus on C2 of air mobility, contingency response, and enroute operations, including the 618th Air and Space Operations Center (Tanker Airlift Control Center). The U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center, located at Joint Base, McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., will concentrate on providing expeditionary combat support, education, and installation support.
As AMC's warfighting echelon, 18th Air Force is currently the largest Component-Numbered Air Force, or C-NAF, within the U.S. Air Force. The 18th Air Force's global mission comprises 20 direct reporting units and more than 51,000 military and civilian personnel.
AMC officials said the restructuring will be implemented using existing resources and will not involve personnel reductions, adding that projected costs associated with the change are negligible.
"The warfighter benefits from a centralized C2 structure for our combat operations that capitalizes on the flexibility and responsiveness of our global mobility enterprise," said Lt. Gen. Robert Allardice, 18th Air Force commander. "The focus of 18th Air Force must remain fixed on serving as the air arm for U.S. Transportation Command. We will continue to execute operations through our Tanker Airlift Control Center."
The restructuring will also provide a more concentrated focus on the evolving mission sets for expeditionary combat support and installation support to include the joint bases.
"As the Air Force and AMC continue to adapt to the added demands of performing expeditionary combat support and joint force requirements at places like Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Joint Base Charleston, S.C.; and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., as well as realigned bases such as Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., and Pope AFB, N.C., the USAF EC will continue to evolve to address these demands, while maintaining our responsiblitiy as the Air Force Center of Excellence for advanced expeditionary combat support training and education," said Brig. Gen. Bill Bender, Expeditionary Center commander.
AMC officials estimate the demand for performing expeditionary combat support and joint base support requirements will continue to grow in the years ahead.
The restructure proactively postures the command to address these ever-evolving mission requirements in the future.