C-17 division leadership transitions from Wright-Patt to Robins

by Jenny Gordon
78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

8/8/2014 - ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The C-17 System Program Office here has experienced another milestone with the recent transition of division leadership from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

Col. Amanda Myers has assumed leadership as the Air Force's C-17 system program director, a position which is now based at Robins as part of a series of moves which began in 2009.

While Wright-Patterson will maintain capabilities development and the chief financial officer position, Robins will continue to focus on C-17 sustainment.

The C-17 system program office transition here is estimated to be completed by 2016, with the potential to include an additional 80 to 95 personnel.

The division, which includes foreign military sales and Boeing representatives, could grow to a total workforce of about 350.

Col. John Newberry, deputy program executive officer for Air Force Mobility Programs with the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at WPAFB spoke highly of the accomplishments of the program and how it has evolved from its initial concept in the late 1970s to its full inception into the Air Force's mobility fleet.

"This is an exciting time for the C-17 program as we enter into the next chapter with the transfer of leadership to Robins," he said. "Col. Myers has the skills needed to oversee the continued sustainment and modernization of the C-17 fleet."

The previous construct was split between two senior materiel leaders, and consisted of the system program director -- recently retired Col. Andrew Ingram who was stationed at WPAFB -- and the outgoing system support manager Col. David Morgan.

The C-17 System Program Office with personnel located at both Robins and WPAFB plays a crucial role in the sustainment, modification, maintenance and overall service of the entire fleet.

Working closely with Boeing, the office has ensured that the Air Force can execute its core function of rapid global mobility while building a reputation of safety, capability and remarkable reliability.

Since its initial operational capability was declared in 1995, the entire C-17 fleet with FMS partners has flown more than 2.8 million flight hours with a cumulative 756,422 sorties in support of military operations, exercises, patient transport and humanitarian relief.

The Air Force received its final C-17 Globemaster III in the fall of 2013.

Myers recently attended the U.S. Army War College, and was formerly the T-38 system program manager at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.

She has encouraged members of the C-17 team to continue to provide the best support possible to the warfighter, and said her job is to ensure all tools and resources are available to make that happen.

In the words of her favorite president, Abraham Lincoln, she said, "Whatever you are, be a good one. You all have an important role to play. Our mission is so important that I will expect a lot from you. And you are so important that you should expect a lot from me."