KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- The Air Mobility Command commander, General Arthur Lichte, visited Airmen on Kandahar Airfield Oct. 8 and 9 to say "thank you" during his visit around the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility and to explain some of the ways in which the air mobility piece has contributed to the mission here in Afghanistan.
"They are taking care of people," he said. "One way is with the aeromedical evacuation mission. We can raise the survivability rate up to 98 percent if we can get (patients) to a hospital, then back onto our airplane to get them home. We take them to where they can get good medical care and then to be with their families, which is absolutely critical."
Cargo airplanes, such as the C-17 Globemaster III and C-130 Hercules, play an important role in transporting equipment, such as mine-resistant vehicles and other supplies, from the U.S. to all forces located on the ground here.
"Afghanistan is a very tough theater," said General Lichte. "Getting airdrop to ground forces wherever needed, to those Soldiers and Marines on the ground, is absolutely critical."
Since his last visit in June, the amount of cargo carried by AMC aircraft has continuously increased for airlift and airdrop missions from 3.8 million pounds of cargo to more than 4 million pounds in September.
"And then, of course, our tankers are overhead providing the sustainment and the persistence we really need in Afghanistan," said General Lichte. "Air Mobility Command is contributing to the joint and coalition fight here big time."
There are some challenges members of AMC must overcome in order to keep the mission going on Kandahar Airfield. This includes hot temperatures and dusty environments which make it challenging to keep equipment, such as old airplanes, operating. Another challenge includes having enough ramp space for AMC's very large aircraft, the general acknowledged.
"It's all about the great people we have who are able to do all that and make it happen," he said.
General Lichte, who is now wrapping up his 38-plus years of service in his Air Force career, said he is "continuously impressed by the quality of men and women we have serving in our Air Force and our joint and coalition partners. The quality is so high it is absolutely outstanding, and I know as I leave the Air Force, we're in good hands. I'd like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart."