Air mobility's never-ending surge

摘要

As of this month, USAF's mobility system has been running at full-throttle for five straight years—ever since al Qaeda struck the US on Sept. 11, 2001. Air Mobility Command, the supplier of airlift for the joint force, not only has been providing lift for regional combat commands but also has been underwriting USAF's massive "peacetime" airlift and refueling operation. AMC has surged its active duty airmen, relying heavily on its newer aircraft, while also getting critical support from Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve forces—some of which are still under soon-to-end wartime mobilization orders.