Local group always working to support air mobility mission

  • Published
  • By Nick Stubbs
  • Thunderbolt editor
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Just 11 years after the Wright Brothers broke the bonds of gravity in their crude aircraft, a major event in aviation history occurred over Tampa Bay, when pilot Tony Jannus made the world's first regularly scheduled commercial airline flight across the Bay from St. Petersburg to Tampa. 

It was quite fitting then, that the pioneering air lifter's name was adopted by the local chapter of the Airlift/Tanker Association, a worldwide organization dedicated to "ensuring that American military forces continue to have the air mobility capability 
required to implement U.S. national security strategy." 

Lt. Col. Jon Incerpi, director of operations with the 310th Air Refueling Squadron, is the current president of the chapter, 210 members strong. Membership is open to all, with civilians, retired and active military members on the rolls. 

While the group works in several areas, Colonel Incerpi sees the organization's strong suit educating those with interest in air mobility with the "essentials" of maintaining the overall air mobility mission around the globe. The group's Web site is at www.atalink.org/. 

"Technology and how to use it within the framework of the DoD and how it factors into air mobility is one of the biggest things," he said, adding that the power and usefulness of the ATA is that it is well respected by defense, Air Force and Air Mobility Command officials. 

Colonel Incerpi notes that some 5,000 people, including top AF officials, attend the annual conference of the ATA. There they get reports and information from the various chapters around the world about the state of air mobility, needs and emerging, useful technologies. 

The power is in getting so many people in the field of air mobility together, discussing the issues, said Colonel Incerpi. 

"The exchange and discussion is very valuable in keeping everyone abreast," he said.
But while the group and it's chapters often focus on the big picture of global affairs and missions, it does not forget that effective air mobility strategies depend on the work of many military and civilian members from the lower ranks on up. To support these personnel, each quarter the Tony Jannus chapter awards a deserving person nominated by their supervisor.

"It's a way of recognizing outstanding performance in the field," said Colonel Incerpi. "It can be for developing new ideas or systems or just hard work and dedication on the job." 

The Tony Jannus chapter also offers an annual $500 scholarship to a deserving individual. 

The ATA chapters also serve as a valuable "sounding board" for industry experts and developers, said Colonel Incerpi. By attending quarterly meetings, those who develop systems and technologies valuable to the air mobility mission, get a seat-of-the-pants feel for the needs of those in the business. 

Colonel Incerpi said it is not unusual for a company to learn of a need through and ATA chapter and to produce a solution that ends up being demonstrated or shown at the annual conference. 

"A lot of good ideas are the result of the associations," said Colonel Incerpi."