POPE ARMY AIRFIELD, North Carolina - Air Mobility Command hosted 25 civic leaders from around the command Nov. 15-17, including two representing McChord Field, for an immersion into AMC's mission at Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina, and to provide insight into its prominent role enabling joint mission effects globally.

"Air Mobility Command is a global force, enabling joint effects and positive change on a global scale," said Gen. Carlton Everhart, Air Mobility Command commander. "The demand signal for AMC capability will only increase in the future, requiring airman's ingenuity and agility to meet needs and global security challenges on demand."

Aligning with the Chief of Staff of the Air Force's focus on the Air Force's role and responsibility to enable joint mission success, the visit provided insight into the global operating environment as well as AMC's total force support to joint warfighters.

Here at McChord, the civic program is represented by Carlene Joseph, Harborstone Credit Union; and Ken Swarner, The Ranger and NW Airlifter newspapers.

Civic leaders had the opportunity to walk through the Deployment Readiness Cage with the 82nd Airborne and interact with Army and Air Force riggers at the Heavy Drop Rigging Facility. They received hands-on experience building container delivery system bundles with loadmasters from the 43rd Operations Support Squadron.

"I have been an AMC civic leader for four years, and this was one of the best experiences. I really got to see how AMC's role feeds into other branches," said John Hood, AMC civic leader, representing Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. "Anytime you can show the civilian population how AMC supports the joint warfighter or another branch of service, it gives us the complete picture on how the base we support fits into national security."

Civic leaders like Hood provide a unique level of support to AMC and the Air Force.  Through developing relationships with AMC leadership and learning about the air mobility mission, civic leaders help increase understanding and cooperation between the civilian and military community.