Planning, Posture, Precision: Inside the 618th Air Operations Center

When Brig Gen Cassius T. Bentley III assumed command of the 618th Air Operations Center (AOC), he brought a clear vision: prioritize Airmen, strengthen Operations, and cultivate a resilient Culture. Now, months later, that vision has taken shape—reflected in new capabilities, stronger integration, and a culture grounded in deliberate leadership.

Bentley leads the Department of War’s only air operations center charged with the command and control of global airlift and air refueling. The 618 AOC plans, tasks, executes, and assesses approximately 150 missions each day—sometimes exceeding 180 during global crises—serving as the central nervous system of worldwide mobility operations.

“This enables the joint force to maneuver with the unmatched speed and scale required to deter—and, if necessary, win,” Bentley explained.

At the heart of that mission are the people who carry it out.

“Our mobility Airmen—including Total Force military members, civilians, contractors, and joint and coalition partners—and their families—are our most valuable assets and our competitive edge,” Bentley emphasized. “Their resilience and adaptability are critical to our sustained mission success.”

So, what does mission success look like to Bentley? In today’s climate, it’s about balancing efficiency and effectiveness to ensure the nation is postured to win any future conflicts.

As the rapid maneuver for the joint force, 618 AOC requires diligent planning against the backdrop of limited capacity, noted Bentley, adding that the tyranny of distance is real in some areas of responsibility. He explained that conflict drives many requirements to execute simultaneously, so strategic policy, Joint Staff, and United States Transportation Command inform the posture of 618 AOC. That approach demands ingrained safety practices and constant repetition. Bentley encourages Airmen at every level to remain vigilant.

“Continue to operate within established guidance,” he said. “Study and train so you know where to deviate, where you can drive solutions, or stop a dangerous situation from occurring.”

Looking ahead, he hopes to see a continued focus on delegation and decision-making to the lowest echelons, empowering Airmen to act confidently and decisively, even in uncertain or communication-degraded environments. In the context of the Interim National Defense Strategy, safety serves as a core enabler of readiness. Consistent, controlled training builds the essential muscle movements required for future conflicts. As Bentley explained, although the methods and safety standards remain steady, the variable is the level of risk commanders are willing to accept.

By working with other AOCs and Air Force Forces Staff, Bentley noted that 618 AOC maintains a dialogue to keep an acceptable level of risk at the appropriate level to meet global challenges. In an environment where time, staff, and bandwidth are often in short supply, 618 AOC is leveraging technology to enhance situational awareness and decision speed. One recent initiative includes the development of a chat-based communication platform integrated with automation, operator cueing, and narrow artificial intelligence features to reduce decision-making time.

The rapid development of capabilities through Rapid Global Mobility Command and Control Digital Transformation (RGMC2DT) is critical to modernizing command and control infrastructure and enabling a timely response in future conflicts.

Still, Bentley is quick to emphasize that technology enhances—but does not replace—the most critical element of the Air Mobility Command mission: the human element.

Over the past year, 618 AOC supported a wide range of missions, from presidential movements and support for Ukraine to border operations and the Israel–Iran conflict.

“The safe execution of these high-visibility operations is impressive,” he noted. “The biggest reason: open communication and transparency at all levels.”

As 618 AOC looks toward the future, its commander remains focused on the challenges ahead—and confident in the team’s ability to meet them.

“Our team does the impossible day in and day out,” he said. “They strive for perfection while keeping the safety of our crews at the forefront. That’s why they were awarded both the Meritorious Unit Award and the Department of the Air Force’s Verne Orr Award this past year—both testaments to the work and compassion the team has in delivering on our nation’s promises.”

In his final message, Bentley offered a reminder of what drives the mission.

“Our Airmen are the magic behind our capabilities,” he said. “No other Air Force can deliver at this speed and scale.”