Departed Director of Operations enhanced organizational readiness, put people first

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. – U.S. Transportation Command said goodbye to Air Force Maj. Gen. Ricky Rupp, who led the Operations and Planning Directorate, TCJ3, for the past two years.   

Rupp focused his efforts on organizational readiness and taking care of his unit’s most precious resource – people.

He spearheaded the establishment of USTRANSCOM’s Global Operations Center, advocated the command’s alignment with, and adaptation to, the 2018 National Defense Strategy, and strengthened the organization’s exercise program to enhance warfighting readiness.  Rupp also ensured his directorate’s workforce served in an environment built on dignity and respect.

"I enjoyed my USTRANSCOM assignment.  I got tremendous support from TCJ3, the command, and our components.  Most importantly, I learned nothing happens without USTRANSCOM being involved in some way via air, land, and sea,” stated Rupp.  “Most of the time, it’s just assumed USTRANSCOM will deliver, and our capability to do so is due to the incredible team of military members, civil servants, and contractors within the command, and to our fourth component, industry.”

As USTRANSCOM’s 17th director of operations, Rupp led the organization’s efforts to become more operationally focused.  He referred to this process as “operationalizing the command” to meet the challenges facing America’s military.  Among his milestones achieved include the formation of the GOC, which oversees the execution of globally-integrated operations, and increased exercise participation, particularly during this year’s USTRANSCOM-conducted Turbo Challenge, an annual crisis response training event, which also involved three other combatant commands.

On July 9, Rupp will accomplish another landmark in his more than three decades wearing the blue uniform, when he assumes command of the Air Force District of Washington, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.  He previously commanded the 14th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, and the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas.

A year after leaving McConnell, and indicative of putting people first, Rupp, and his wife, Charlotte, received the General and Mrs. Jerome F. O’Malley Award, recognizing them for their care and concern for Airmen, as well as for their contributions to the nation, Air Force, and local community.

"It’s really hard to leave USTRANSCOM because of the dedicated, selfless professionals serving in TCJ3 and throughout the command.  It’s been an honor leading the TCJ3 team the past two years,” Rupp said.  “Ultimately, it’s been the people that have made this tour of duty so rewarding and special.”

USTRANSCOM conducts globally-integrated mobility operations, leads the broader Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise, and provides enabling capabilities in order to project and sustain the Joint Force in support of national objectives.