Altus Air Force Base News

 

AMC leaders visit Altus AFB

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Franklin R. Ramos
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  The leaders of Air Mobility Command visited Airmen from the 97th Air Mobility Wing April 6-8.

U.S. Air Force Gen. Darren McDew, AMC commander, and U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Vicki Gamble, AMC command chief, visited to gain a better understanding of Altus Air Force Base's training mission and discuss Air Force topics, like the U.S. Air Force KC-46 Pegasus and the fiscal budget.

"I appreciate the time you've been giving me - I'm here for only two reasons: one is to make sure you understand how much I appreciate what you do, and two, for listening. There are not any better words I can say to convey such a message," said McDew. "I've been impressed by every human being here on Altus AFB."

Altus AFB is the only base that trains all U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III, U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker and soon, KC-46 aircrews for Air Mobility Command.

"AMC's vision is unrivaled global reach for America...Always," said McDew. "You provide crew members who can go to any place around the world that I need them to go and I use them every single day."

McDew spoke with Airmen on a number of topics, including the future of the KC-46, which is expected to arrive at Altus AFB in 2016.

"What I want from the KC-46 is not more of the same we have in the KC-135. It's been a wonderful aircraft, but the KC-46 is new and what I want Altus to do is unshackle your brains," said McDew. "You have the credentials right now with an Installation Excellence Award win that says you're big thinkers and you're doers. I want you to bring that to the KC-46 and let's unshackle it together. Let's make it what it ought to be."

McDew also informed Airmen of the president's budget plan, the budget control act and the state of the Air Force.

"The Air Force has slapped the table and said that we will not reduce the size of the force anymore. We will reduce our infrastructure before we reduce our people," said McDew.

After speaking of the Air Force's future, McDew addressed his idea of a new generation of Airmen.

"A few Airmen believed we needed a separate Air Force and everyone told them they were wrong. You are the proof today that they were right," said McDew. "Our Airmen today are well informed. I have a lot more confidence in you leading our Air Force than you do in yourself. I believe that our Air Force is better for it."

McDew also said every generation has to lead its successors down the right path.

"I believe today's Airmen think faster. They want to know more. They want to understand why. The generation coming into the Air Force now wants to feel empowered and wants to be a part of change. Harness that power and enact change."