Air Mobility Command’s only overseas wing, the 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing, headquartered at Hickam AB, Hawaii, recently celebrated its first year in operation, during which it has provided maintenance, aerial port, and command and control support for AMC aircraft and crews flying in the Pacific region. The unit, which AMC activated in June 2008, comprises some 2,000 geographically separated personnel, providing AMC support primarily at Andersen AB, Guam, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, Hickam, Kadena AB and Yokota AB, Japan, and Osan AB, South Korea. “This wing provides an enhanced level of control for our en route structure in the Pacific, which includes critical locations for getting people, cargo, and patients to and from war zones,” said Col. Richard McClain, 515th AMOW commander. (515th AMOW report by Lt. Col. Ryan Marshall)
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
