The Mobility Forum Posts

This year flew by, and it was action packed. Air Mobility Command is indebted to each of you across the Total Force—active duty, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, and civilian personnel. With profound gratitude, we reflect upon the past year and all we accomplished together as a team. Being part of this extraordinary organization is a distinct privilege, and we are deeply honored to serve alongside every one of you.

When you hear the phrase “exercise safety,” what first comes to mind? If you, like many of us, spent last summer participating in Exercise MOBILITY GUARDIAN REFORPAC BAMBOO EAGLE TALISMAN SABRE DENY WEEKEND, your mind may go to the challenges of staying safe during large force exercises. If you somehow escaped the summer exercise fun and are a platinum elite member of the honorable gym rats of the USAF, your first instinct may be lifting, running, or Zumba-ing smartly to prevent injury. For the select few of you who are distinguished members of the long-suffering safety community who spend their days searching for hazards, risks, threats, and the occasional free lunch, the phrase is a reminder to incorporate safety and risk management into day-to-day activities. As Airmen, most of us spend time practicing one or more of these categories, let us explore some of the commonalities.

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.

We recently received an excellent ASAP, which gives us a scenario to explore the question: What’s in your landing calculus? In other words, what are your landing considerations when deciding whether to land or go around?

The U. S. Air Force (USAF) Air Mobility Command (AMC) stands as a critical linchpin in national security and humanitarian response. Its success hinges on a diverse fleet and the exceptional abilities of its aircrews. Today, AMC faces a unique set of challenges: adjustments to the Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) program, specifically removing the T-1 Jayhawk and subsequent training path alterations, and the departure of many experienced, combat-proven pilots. While these changes present potential hurdles, AMC remains resolutely focused on maintaining its unparalleled commitment to flight safety and highlighting the proactive and innovative steps the Major Command (MAJCOM) is taking to mitigate risks, ensure continued operational excellence, and safeguard the lives of its Airmen.

As Labor Day passes and we move into autumn, the long days of summer are behind us. Shorter daylight hours, cooler temperatures, and a new season of challenges and opportunities are here. This transition also signals the close of the annual Critical Days of Summer (CDS) safety awareness campaign, which runs each year from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Although the season changes, our obligation to remain vigilant about safety does not.

A servicemember’s life, including that of an Airman, involves a great deal of sacrifice. Military service embodies physical training, periods away from loved ones and friends, and the constant strength and valor for facing unsafe situations. Conversely, transitioning to civilian life can pose significant challenges for many veterans.

In July 2025, Airmen and Guardians participated in the Air Force’s 2025 Department Level Exercise (DLE) series, a service-level exercise with ally, partner, and joint integration elements included. DLE is a first-in-a-generation effort to conduct operations in a contest, dynamic environment to deter competitor aggression where able, and to defeat threats to national security when necessary. AMC leveraged DLE to showcase the importance of the Joint Logistics Infrastructure – enabling efficient and scalable movement of cargo and personnel both within and between theaters, enabling the maneuver of five concurrent major command-level exercises across the Air Force. Capt Brian Spears, assigned to AMC’s Directorate of Analyses, Assessments and Lessons Learned, discussed the importance of breaking down communication and data silos during the 2025 iteration.

Exercises seem to be getting larger and more frequent. To exercise our warfighters, we use four types of weapons: dummy guns, pneumatic (airsoft), dye-markers, and actual weapons with live or blank ammo. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages. Today, we will discuss blanks and blank-firing adapters (BFA) for the M16 and M4 series of weapons.

Air Mobility Command Well Done Award
Presented to SSgt Xavier H. Sanchez Cedano and SSgt Brandon D. Rios
19th Aircraft Maintenance Flying Crew Chief Program, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA

Collaboration and communication are crucial to success and ensuring safety in any line of work, but they are especially important in the military for the success and safety of troops and their missions. Most people will agree that safety is a top priority, no matter what the situation; however, according to Power to Create (PTC), a leading software data management company, effective communication and collaboration are vital for seamless operations and customer satisfaction.

No one demonstrates that the sky is the limit quite like the U.S. military. They ask not what has been done but what can be done. This mindset was exemplified in 1929, when the U.S. Army Air Corps attempted to push the limits by breaking the world’s record for the longest endurance flight. An Atlantic-Fokker C-2A aircraft was the star of the show, and the aircraft was dubbed the “Question Mark,” as the public and the military were eager to find the answer to how long it could remain in the air.