Hail & Farewell: Ops group changes command Published June 10, 2009 By Col. Gary Goldstone 375th Airlift Wing commander SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Just under two years ago, we welcomed Col. Curt Connell to one of the finest wings in the Air Force with the challenge to lead a very demanding operations group within Air Mobility Command. Under his leadership, the 375th Operations Group provided world-class aeromedical evacuation and executive airlift transportation to our Air Force and DoD partners. They flew more than 22,000 mishap-free hours supporting DV missions and transporting 10,000 AE patients with 20, C-21As and 3, C-40C aircraft. Colonel Connell led the operations group through multiple historic changes. One of the most significant was the merger of the Expeditionary CONUS Patient Movement System into the 375th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. The 375th AES gained 80 personnel from the active duty, Guard, and Reserves, and two Geographically Separated Units. Their job is to support delivery of wounded warriors from Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, as well as support DoD's 9-1-1 response team for Homeland Security. Colonel Connell was instrumental in establishing a plan to deal with a 60 percent reduction of the C-21 fleet. To regroup following such a significant loss of iron and manpower, he led a complete restructuring of our C-21 operations that led to an actual 24 percent increase in efficiencies over the AMC tasking level. A 24 percent increase in the number of sorties available to combatant commanders - that's Enabling Combat Power! He led another historic first with the stand-up of the active associate airlift squadron. This blended our 54th Airlift Squadron with the 932nd Airlift Wing (Reserve) to operate three C-40C DV aircraft. There was no regulation or how-to guide to complete this integration, however, the relationships forged with our partners has helped achieve mission success. During his command, he brought the group to success during the 2009 AMC Logistics Standardization Evaluation Program--improving from a marginal rating in 2005 to an excellent rating in 2007, culminating with an outstanding, the highest rating possible this year. Last fall, the 375th Airlift Wing dedicated C-21A support to U.S. Southern Command. His team completed memorandums of agreement with them and has flown more than 30 challenging missions and 150 hours in support of our warfighters in Central and South America. He assisted in bringing five aircraft to the Scott Field Heritage Airpark - a 23-year effort led by our community partners in conjunction with our active duty, Air National Guard and Reserve teammates. With five aircraft in place, and infrastructure construction in progress, the airpark is expected to open to the public later this summer. As Colonel Connell and his wife, Cecilia, head to Washington, D.C., we welcome our newest team leader, Col. Terry Ward, and his wife, Bev, and children, Alexandria and Cale. Colonel Ward comes to us with an extensive background as a director of operations, commander of an operational support squadron, deputy operations group commander, and most recently as a graduate of the Air War College. His vast knowledge and experience with both tanker and airlift operations may be put to the test as we stand on the cusp of what could become another historic wing first: moving from an airlift wing to an air mobility wing. As I've always stated, we have some of the best Airmen in our Air Force right here, and it's our responsibility to lead them well. For me it's been one of the greatest and most rewarding times of my Air Force career, and I'm especially pleased to have Colonel Ward join our team. Together we'll continue to do great things and Enable Combat Power!