JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
The Airlift/Tanker Association held its annual A/TA Convention and Symposium in Orlando, Fla., Oct. 28 to 31, bringing together some of the best and brightest minds on the future of military air mobility.
The convention drew in attendees from across Air Mobility Command by the thousands, including more than 100 members of the Lowcountry A/TA chapter. Together, they listened and learned from keynote speeches by top Air Force leaders, including the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, and the commanders and senior enlisted members of U.S. Transportation Command, AMC, Air Force Reserve Command and the Air National Guard.
Every leader in their own right provided a unique perspective on global reach, but the focus remained clear: "Mobility Airmen: The Heart of America's Global Reach," which was the theme chosen for this year's convention.
"You deliver hope, fuel the fight and save lives ... and when called, you answer: 'Yes we can,'" said Gen. Raymond Johns, AMC commander, during his address at the convention. "You are the heart of what we do, and I couldn't be prouder."
"Delivering hope, fueling the fight and saving lives" is how General Johns defines the three core competencies of AMC. They are the direct effects seen from the work of mobility Airmen every day, which is enabled through strong partnerships with civilian industry.
To highlight that relationship, a technology exhibition was also held at the convention. Companies with household names, such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics, and nearly 100 others exhibitors provided demonstrations for attendees to learn about the latest and greatest innovations on the market.
Exhibits included flight simulators which participants were welcome to operate, as well translucent aircraft armor with exploded shrapnel trapped inside. AMC historians manned an information booth with handouts, brochures and CDs full of articles and photos dating back to the early 1900s.
New advancements for aircrew flight equipment, lightweight packing materials for airdrop missions, medical life-support systems which work with aircraft avionics communications systems to relay vital data to surgeons on the ground - all these and more were a feast for the eyes and ears.
The Airlift/Tanker Association annual convention is all about the cutting edge of air mobility technology, as well as philosophies and achievements. Along with the technology exposition, more than 50 individual seminars and multiple award ceremonies were conducted during the 4-day event.
"It's a great way and a great avenue to meet your senior leaders in person," said Senior Airman Samuel Siewert, 628th Civil Engineer Squadron fire protection journeyman.
As one of the Air Force's 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year, Airman Siewert has had many opportunities to interact with base, command and Air Force-level leaders. That interaction is something he hopes every Airman has the opportunity to experience, he said.
"It's a great place to see people that you always hear about or always see in a picture on a wall and actually get to talk to them," he said.
The convention's doors are open to all, but for most bases, command-sponsored guests are traditionally selected from within individual units and not everyone is able to attend through sponsorship.
"This is the military. You have to be flexible," said Airman Siewert. "Your time will come. Do your job, have fun and be professional. Go above and beyond at work - and next year, ask to go."
Lt. Col. Randall Huiss, 14th Airlift Squadron commander and the Lowcountry A/TA Chapter president, said he always looks to his award winners to sponsor. In his view, the best individuals to attend are those who have demonstrated excellence and who are ready for further professional investment. He looks to those who will take what they learn and apply it to their Air Force careers, he said.
The concept also includes participation in the local A/TA chapter. The chapter is headed by a board who act as the continuity from year to year and maintains local involvement around the base, awarding an A/TA sponsored scholarships to enlisted members and gift certificates to Airman Leadership School graduates, as well as sponsoring the annual military ball.
Nearly 50 percent of attendees at the convention each year are new members, and involvement in the local chapter by these new members provides the annual support needed to keep current programs in place.
"The chapter can be as big or as small as you want to make it," said Colonel Huiss. "And we definitely have opportunities at the local level for involvement."
Positions for unit A/TA representatives are currently available, and throughout the year volunteer help for fundraising is always needed. Any individuals interested in getting involved with the Lowcountry A/TA Chapter may contact Rose Alexander at 963-5535 or by e-mail at rose.alexander@charleston.af.mil.