618th AOC undergoes extensive organizational transformation

Senior Master Sgt. Donna Crone works at her desk in the 618th Air And Space Operations Center’s Tanker Airlift Control Center, Dec. 16, 2010, at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. Crone is one of many planners and operators responsible for centralized command and control of Air Force and commercial contract air mobility assets 24 hours a day. The 618th AOC plans, schedules and tracks tanker, airlift and aeromedical evacuation aircraft worldwide to accomplish AMC's global reach mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Justin Brockhoff)

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618th AOC undergoes extensive organizational transformation

Published May 20, 2020
By Capt. Alexis Burdon
618th Air Operations Center

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFNS) -- The 618th Air Operations Center implemented its largest, full-scale organizational transformation in nearly 30 years, May 18, which entailed a complete structural overhaul that realigned directorates and established new positions.

This transformation is critical to better support Air Mobility Command’s transformation to a warfighting major command to ensure AMC is postured to meet the requirements of the National Defense Strategy and help the mobility community better support the Air Force efforts of Joint All-Domain Command and Control, or JADC2.

The transformation effort is the largest in the AOC’s nearly thirty-year history and replaces an organizational structure that has remained relatively static since the mid-1990s.

“This transformation is a monumental shift for our AOC and a launch pad for the future success of mobility operations,” said Brig. Gen. Jimmy Canlas, 618th AOC commander. “The AOC has undergone minor changes over the years, but nothing as significant as this initiative. I’m grateful for the hard work by the team, who took our reorganization idea and turned it into a transformational effort. I have great hope and excitement for future AOC missions.”

The new organizational structure will consist of eight directorates, 24 divisions and 11 branches; replacing the existing 10 directorates, 29 divisions and six branches. Historically, funding streams determined where functions were positioned, but this realignment will streamline functions with similar mission sets under newly created directorates. This effort will allow all AOC personnel to increase warfighting effectiveness and more rapidly respond to mission requirements.

“The realignment is a huge step in the right direction for the future of the AOC and our (Mobility Air Forces) enterprise,” said Col. Dan DeVoe, 618th AOC Vice commander. “As we move toward the eventuality of JADC2, this transformation will posture the MAF and enhance our AOC‘s ability to sustain the joint force throughout the entire spectrum of operations.”

The transformation will greatly enhance the 618 AOC’s ability to provide resilient command and control of AMC’s four core competencies – airlift, air refueling, aeromedical evacuation and global air mobility support.

“The men and women of the 618th AOC truly manage the heartbeat of our global, 24/7 mobility mission,” said Gen. Maryanne Miller, AMC commander. “A lot has changed over the past 30 years, including the threats we face and AMC’s transition to a warfighting component command. The AOC’s transformation, along with the construction of a new state-of-the-art facility to house it, will further our ability to compete, deter and win as we execute Rapid Global Mobility in support of the NDS.