JOINT BASE McGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. - The U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center assumed command of five Air Mobility Command organizations during a ceremony here Jan 6. The AMC restructuring allows 18th Air Force to focus almost exclusively on worldwide mobility flying operations and gives the Expeditionary Center added responsibility for focusing on evolving AMC mission sets. These include expeditionary combat support training and installation support missions unique to three Joint Bases within the Command, as well as at two AMC bases where missions are evolving as a result of previous Base Realignment and Closure decisions.

The ceremony, officiated by Lt. Gen. Robert Allardice, 18th AF commander, marked the re-alignment by reading official organizational change orders, with the commanders and command chiefs of the affected units in attendance.

Making the transition from 18th AF are the 87th Air Base Wing at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., the 628th ABW at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., the 627th Air Base Group at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., the 43rd Airlift Wing at Pope Air Force Base, N.C, and the 319th Air Refueling Wing at Grand Forks AFB, N.D.

Brig. Gen. Bill Bender, U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center commander, noted the realignment would go largely unnoticed by the majority of those airmen impacted, adding the Expeditionary Center will gain 13 additional manpower authorizations as a result of the Center's expanded responsibilities.

"As the commander of the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center, I am proud and honored the Center is being given this unique opportunity to contribute to the growing mission of Air Mobility Command," Bender said.

Prior to the realignment, 18th AF was the largest numbered Air Force in the AF with 19 direct reporting units, over 53,000 personnel, and a geographic area spanning the globe.

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