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Flight managers change nature of air operations

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (USTCNS) --- Flight managers for Air Mobility Command are steadily changing the nature of air operations as they move the command into the next generation of aircrew support.

The flight managers are relatively new positions created to support AMC's Mobility 2000 program, or M2K, a major integration of the command's command-and-control processes and systems to improve flight safety and operational effectiveness.

Through M2K, the days of pilots spending three or four hours flight planning, taking those plans to base operations and then filing the routes with the air traffic controllers will soon be gone. Also gone will be the days of separate communications systems and no direct link to the pilots during flights.

Flight managers skilled with AMC's centralized method of conducting air mobility -- the integrated management tool -- can now do all the prep work, file the plans directly with air traffic controllers and speak directly with the pilots, all from the Tanker Airlift Control Center at Scott AFB.

In short, flight managers are virtual crewmembers who can "paper the crew" so that there's more time for pilots to be on duty in the air getting people and cargo where needed. But, with the IMT, they can also instantaneously re-route the aircraft, update the aircrew on weather or ramp conditions or smooth the way for operating in international airspace, among many other things.

"It's an exciting time to be in AMC," said Bruce Brunkow, a retired chief master sergeant and one of nine certified civilian flight managers in the TACC. "Just recently, I worked to recut a mission from the Frankfurt International Airport (Germany) to go to Rota (U.S. Naval Air Station in Spain) to pick up a patient for a medevac. Although this took a lot of coordination and we had to scramble because of short notice, previously we would have had to generate an aircraft from scratch just to get over there. With the tools we're using now, we can process all the information and do all the legwork for our crews so they can be more efficient and meet the needs of the mission."

AMC currently has 17 flight managers, both civilian and active-duty, who have worked during the past two years with experts from Delta Airlines to bring this new way of doing business online. Since the integrated flight management prototype stood up in July, the flight managers have worked more than 700 sorties and are continuing to expand their operations under the M2K program.

"AMC is a natural for being the leader this area because we do have such a global mission," said Brunkow. "However, our European and Pacific theater folks are working much of these same issues. They've sent people out here to see how we're doing business. This will affect the entire Air Force because the goal is to have everyone using the same software and hardware necessary to communicate instantly. All we have to do is make an input to the data system, and that information will show up in all the other affected areas. We're still in the beginning, prototype stages, but we're progressing well."

AMC is ready for the next phase, which is to hire another 25 civilian flight managers in GS-11, 12 and 13 positions over the next year. Eventually, AMC plans to have about 100 flight managers and a new facility to support this network.

"The biggest challenge in making the change to the flight manager system is getting through a big paradigm shift," said David Porter, Delta Airlines manager of operation services,

"We've still got to get people to think beyond the way we've always done business. The flight managers aren't taking over the pilots' jobs … they're really here to provide the aircrews with all the information they need to make decisions. They are (each) a virtual crewmember, and it makes a big difference in the effectiveness of what we do, " said Porter.

"Being a flight manager is a satisfying job," added Brunkow. "We're making positive changes that help people in the field, and as the system matures, we'll be helping our friends in the others services, too, because they're a large part of our customer base."

The systems under M2K will also lead to refined computer systems for people who work in supply and fuels, for example. When something is needed for an aircraft, it will be sent automatically to these areas, too.

"Mobility 2000 is striving to achieve seamless processes and systems with unlimited connectivity in order to enhance the overall operations of AMC," said Col. Greg Padula, TACC director of operations management. "Our flight managers are an important piece of the puzzle to make this happen."

AMC is seeking more people to fill upcoming flight manager vacancies, which should be posted on the Office of Personnel Management or the Air Force Civilian Personnel Web site the second week of September. The positions require operational mobility experience including such areas as flying duties, en route operations, command and control, flight dispatching and aircraft maintenance.

The OPM Web site can be accessed through <http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/> and Air Force civilian job announcements listed at http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/resweb. Information on M2K is available at https://m2k.scott.af.mil.

(FROM AIR MOBILITY COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS)

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