715th Air Mobility Operations Group comes to JBER

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Brian Ferguson
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  To expand the 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing's senior leadership presence throughout the Pacific area of responsibility, and position itself to meet the ever-growing military mission in Alaska, the 715th Air Mobility Operations Group recently relocated here from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.

"Instead of being co-located with the wing at Hickam, the 715th AMOG will now be set-up like the 515th AMOG at Yokota Air Base, Japan, where the group has the opportunity to address mobility issues at the right level and further enhance the en route structure," said Lt. Col. Leon W. Dockery Jr., deputy commander, 715th AMOG.

The group is made up of the 732nd Air Mobility Squadron, JBER, Alaska; the 734th AMS, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam; and the 735th AMS, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. There is also a detachment in Richmond, Australia and two operating locations; one at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska and one in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Colonel Dockery said one of the main reasons for the move was to better serve their major customers.

"The nature of our business is customer oriented," he said. "The growth of the U.S. Army presence and the expansion of the training area are just two examples of why it is important that we have the right level of interaction to ensure customer satisfaction. Moving the group here underlines that dedication."

The group's first official act at JBER was its change of command, June 17, when Col. William C. Murphey assumed command from Col. Jeffrey G. Mintzlaff.

"As the newest mission partner in town, I'm looking forward to meeting with our air mobility customers across the Eastern Pacific to ensure we're providing them with the elite-class service they expect and deserve," said Colonel Murphey.

The official relocation was complete with the change of command; however, there are still a few positions that will to be filled in the next few months.

"Alaska is growing in its importance as a strategic location. Air Mobility Command is committed to providing global air mobility with the right effects, in the right place and at the right time," said Colonel Murphey. "JBER is the right place for the 715th Air Mobility Operations Group."