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621 CRW Highlights Mobility Mission at A/TA

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Destinie Berry
  • 621st Contingency Response Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Approximately 82 Airmen from the 621st Contingency Response Wing traveled to Nashville, Tenn., to attend the 46th Annual Air Mobility Command's Airlift/Tanker Association Symposium and Technological Exposition held Oct. 29 - Nov 3, 2014. The 570th Contingency Response Group of Travis Air Force Base, Calif., provided 20 of those Airmen to enable the arrival and departure of aircraft through port operations at Nashville International Airport.

The 45-year-old association hosted their event at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel accommodating approximating 2,140 attendees. Key guests featured the Secretary of the Air Force, Honorable Deborah Lee James, Commander of U.S. Transportation Command, Gen. Paul J. Selva, Commander of Air Mobility Command, Gen. Darren W. McDew, Medal of Honor recipient U.S. Air Force retired Col. Joe Jackson and his wife Rose, and more than 120 additional distinguished participants.

Retired Gen. Arthur Lichte, Airlift/Tanker Association's Chairman of the Board, debuted three priorities for Air Mobility to emphasize on in the coming years.  His focuses were: for 2014; supporting mobility Airmen, for 2015; preserving our culture, and for 2016; strengthening our bonds.

"All of our convention seminars, educational activities, and award programs support this priority because they highlight the best of the best while at the same time, helping them as they continue to develop tactics, techniques, and procedures to continuously improve the air mobility mission", said Lichte. "We will do all we can to advocate and promote the mobility mission of our Airmen and those of our allies around the world."

The 621 CRWs Airmen contributed to the conference by presenting two seminars to over 275 attendees and shared experiences throughout AMC's total force. 2014 Contingency Response Operations in Iraq: Operational and Tactical Perspectives on a Coordinated Effort reflected on the contribution of the CRW's response to US-led coalition efforts in the operations against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Mobility Airmen: Solving Problems in Complex Environments for over 24 years conveyed a four tier message. This seminar concentrated on the capabilities of the contingency response groups, mobility support advisory squadrons, air mobility liaisons, and command and control teams. Additionally, subject experts discussed the process behind the Joint Task Force-Port Opening that allow our unique mission to thrive internationally.

621st CRW Commander Col. James Copher stated, "Agile, inclusive, and lean organizations are better prepared to solve problems in complex environments. Because the CRW's mission shows no signs of slowing down, it is imperative that we continue to work together with our team of partnerships to find innovative, efficient, and effective ways to meet Joint Force mission objectives."

The CRW operates between two coasts to increase range and response capability requiring unique communication and problem solving. ATA facilitated in-person collaboration for the CRW and allowed the team to discuss the future of the CRW.