AMC Commander makes first visit to Korea

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Chris Hoyler
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Gen. Raymond Johns, Air Mobility Command commander, visited the Republic of Korea and the peninsula's en-route AMC unit here May 16-18.

The visit to the 731st Air Mobility Squadron was the first for General Johns since he assumed command of AMC in November 2009.

"I don't get many chances to come out and see you more than one or two times in my three-year tour, so for me to spend time with you today is huge," General Johns said during a squadron call with the 731st AMS May 16.

The mission of the 731st AMS increased greatly earlier this year with the addition of three weekly Patriot Express flights that serve as the primary source of official travel for more than 28,000 servicemembers and their families in Korea.

"You are the center of Air Force mobility on the peninsula," the general said. "We have to make it so that we can support your family as they come to Korea, and this is another step on the path to doing that."

In addition to speaking with and taking questions from 731st AMS Airmen, General Johns toured the new Joint Reception Center, which is nearing its late 2010 completion date. The JRC will serve as the entry and departure points for all personnel using space-available travel at Osan; the two-story facility will replace the current, smaller passenger terminal, and will include amenities like voice-over Internet phone service, a family room and items from the Osan USO.

General Johns thanked the Airmen here for their execution of the diverse mobility mission and stressed the importance of the en-route mission for the Pacific region.

"With the fighter aircraft, the reconnaissance aircraft and our en-route mission, you see the total package of the Air Force here more than anywhere else," he said. "We have an enemy very nearby, and you have to be prepared to deliver our capabilities at a moment's notice."