USTRANSCOM - One year after 911
“What started as the darkest of days has turned into a shining testimony to the will of our people and the strength of our transportation team,” says General John W. Handy, commander of USTRANSCOM.
The general that also commands the U.S. Air Force’s Air Mobility Command reminds audiences that the heroic response by our nation to combat terrorism is being fought behind-the-scenes by thousands of dedicated people managing the Defense Transportation System.
Throughout the last 12 months USTRANSCOM has experienced one of the highest operational tempos the command has seen since Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
“Not only has TRANSCOM simultaneously supported five combatant commanders involved in worldwide operations in the war on terrorism, but it was forced to operate in Afghanistan, certainly one of the most austere operating areas ever experienced by modern military forces,” Handy told the attendees at the recent National Defense Transportation Association’s Forum in Greensboro, N.C.
“Because Afghanistan is land locked and the transportation infrastructure so terribly undeveloped, Operation Enduring Freedom quickly became a very air intensive operation,” Handy said.
The operation is currently the third-largest airlift mission undertaken by the U.S. military. As of the end of September:
· More than 180,000 hours have been flown on more than 35,000 sorties.
· More than 325,000 short-tons of supplies and equipment, and more than 240,000 passengers have been offloaded from planes more than 15,000 times.
· More than 15,500 aerial refuel hours have been flown on more than 3,500 sorties.
Handy proudly commends the collaborative efforts of the people he commands. “This would be difficult even in peace, and in war is an absolutely Herculean undertaking.”
The transport of forces in support of the war on terrorism is by no means exclusively an air mobility operation.
Handy says the Military Traffic Management Command has safely moved over 2,400 sensitive shipments, including critical munitions throughout the country covering over 3 million mission miles. The Military Sealift Command has transported in excess of 96,000 short tons – or more than 6,600 20-foot equivalent units.
All of these accomplishments, coupled with numerous initiatives to improve the business practices of USTRANSCOM have made the last 12 months extremely busy.
Follow Us On:
