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Load, Launch and Recover: The Mission of the 43rd Air Mobility Squadron

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kourtney Ross
  • 43rd Air Mobility Operations Group Public Affairs

The 43rd Air Mobility Operations Group (AMOG) has eight squadrons under its command. The largest squadron is the 43rd Air Mobility Squadron (AMS). This squadron covers 21 different Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSC) across the flight line. The squadron is divided into four flights: Plans and Programs, Logistics Readiness, Aerial Port and Maintenance.

Plans and Programs

As explained by Capt. Payton Jackson, commander for Plans and Programs Flight, her flight handles missions that are more behind the scenes. These missions include traffic management to ground transportation. Some missions are no fail, like when distinguished visitors come to Pope Army Airfield (PAAF). Any supplies needed to get on and off the plane, like stairs, is accomplished by this flight.

Logistics Readiness

The Logistics Readiness flight handles a wide range of responsibilities. As elaborated by Master Sgt. Jeffery Rutledge, superintendent of the Logistics Readiness Flight, and other flight leadership, the responsibilities of the flight include deployment readiness, traffic management and more. An office called Trox is the focal point for supplies like weather gear for Airmen, squadron level safety office, technology ranging from computers to printers. Another office under this flight’s command manages the deployment readiness of the squadron, training and temporary duty assignments. Airmen of the squadron work with the office to prepare for any deployment needs or the needs of a temporary duty assignment and all training. The training includes annual training like cyber security awareness and career development courses.

Aerial Port

Aerial Port Flight handles AFSCs and locations across the fight line explained by 1st LT Shayna Armstrong, commander of Aerial Port Flight, one of the most notable AFSCs being air transportation. Air transportation is one of the most identifiable jobs on the flight line. As you look out on the flight line, you see Airmen pushing and pulling cargo.

Maintenance

The Maintenance flight on Pope, just like the other flights, face interesting challenges. The chain of command and leadership are woven in a manner that requires Airmen to find new ways to accomplish the mission. Throughout the regulations for maintenance certain processes need to be checked by or done by maintenance specialized leadership. Certain required maintenance officers are not a part of AMS leadership. Airmen from this flight reach out to other bases with those links to accomplish the task properly.

AMS is unique compared to the rest of the Air Force. A lot of flights are squadrons at other bases, which present advantages and challenges. One challenge faced by squadrons is, typically AFSC that minimally interact with each other at other bases are well blended here at Pope. Each AFSC has its own culture and never needed to share their culture with anyone other than new Airmen from training. Being one squadron at Pope, Airmen who come from different bases learn about the other cultures of the flight line and share their own experiences. One of the advantages is since everyone is in one squadron, everyone can help each other better. Sharing supplies and helping hands from different AFSCs on the flight line is a lot easier to communicate and execute.

No matter the challenges that AMS may face rapid global mobility is always lethal. Whether the challenges faced are blended cultures or having a completely different structure than the rest of the Air Force. The Airmen of the AMS continue to load, launch and recover without waiver to support the PAAF mission.