Robertson Addresses Airlift/Tanker Association Convention
DALLAS --- In his keynote address, Gen. Charles T. "Tony" Robertson Jr. told the 2,300 attendees of the Airlift/Tanker Association convention here recently that "mobility matters."
The dual-hatted commander of AMC and commander in chief of U.S. Transportation Command said be it a warfighting or a humanitarian mission, rapid global air mobility is important to our military, our country and our world. He outlined a series of humanitarian efforts flown this year by AMC crews, from Hurricane Mitch to the current relief aid and movement of United Nations peacekeepers into East Timor. (.....)
The AMC commander explained what it would take to sustain rapid global mobility during the upcoming years. The general talked about the role of the C-17. "As successful as the C-17 was (in Allied Force), we've got to be very careful as we come to depend so much on the C-17 in the intra-theater role. Only because of the unusually light demand for strategic airlift at that time were we able to dedicate the C-17 to the theater." He explained 135 C-17s are being procured primarily to replace the 270 C-141s to meet strategic inter-theater transport needs.
"Even though our total wartime million-ton-mile capacity will actually increase, we are losing tremendous flexibility with the fewer number of tails," he said. "There is a separate intra-theater lift analysis study in progress to determine what force structure we really need to support worldwide in-theater requirements."
Addressing C-5 issues, Robertson told the audience the aircraft couldn't meet its required mission-capability rates right now. But he said help is on the way with the C-5 modernization program, which includes TR-39 high-pressure turbine replacement; modernized avionics, and enhanced reliability through a re-engining program.
Turning to tactical airlift, he said that a fix for C-130 configuration challenges is the C-130X, "a modernized C-130 that's going to rise like the Phoenix from our current mixes of 'Es,' 'H1s,' 'H2s' and 'H3s,'" he explained. He said he expects the contract award will probably be in fall 2000.
Additionally, he said the C-130 J program is adding needed capability. The first seven "Js," a completely new stretch version of the C-130 with modern engines, props, avionics and cargo handling system, were delivered this year, and operational tests and evaluations have started. He said to expect release of that capability by early 2000, which means that the first line units should be flying the J operationally early next year.
Another modernization issue that will affect mobility aircraft is installing a credible defensive system on AMC aircraft. He said it was long overdue and is one of his top priorities as CINCTRANS. "Credible defensive systems are a must. This is not a cheap program and we may have to start small but I promise you we will get our foot in the door this year," said Robertson.
He then explained the fleet of material handling vehicles is also coming along well. "The Tunner 60K loader is a real success story," he said. "So far we have 90 Tunners in the field performing superbly as an integral part of every exercise and contingency operation we are involved in. We'll take delivery of 48 more Tunners this year." The command plans to complete the buy of 318 Tunners by 2005." (....)
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Robertson Addresses Airlift/Tanker Association Convention
