Tapestry Solutions

Tapestry Solutions provides enterprise logistics software and services for global supply chains, mission planning, combat training and simulation systems.

Menu
  • About Us
      • Our Commitment & Culture
      • Major Programs
      • Industries We Serve
      • Community Outreach
      • Contact Us
        • U.S. Headquarters
          • 6910 Carroll Road
            San Diego, CA 92121-2211
            United States
            Tel: +1.858.503.1990
            Fax: +1.858.503.1999
            marketing@tapestrysolutions.com
          • Close
        • Europe Branch
          • Building 330
            The Crescent Bristol Business Park
            Bristol BS16 1EJ
            United Kingdom
            Tel: +44 117.931.9800
          • Close
    • Close
  • Solutions
    • air-ops-centerfinal-19002Logistics Operations
    • Vigilant Shield 16Mission Planning
    • Ground Forces Training Invitation Event at Fort Leonard WoodMission Command Training
    • MUF15_RMS280694Technical & Field Support
    • Close
  • Products
    • goldesp_mro-570GOLDesp MRO & Supply
    • Elmendorf Airmen deliver relief supplies to HaitiBoeing Load Planner
    • Container Truck ,ship In Port And Freight Cargo Plane In TranspoBoeing Terminal Manager
    • Pilots in the cockpitMission Management Suite
    • 787 Assembly in Everett, WashingtonEnterprise Sensor Integration (ESI)
    • Close
  • Media Center
    • News & Insights
    • Video Gallery
    • Close
  • Careers
    • Job Search
    • Benefits
    • Close
  • Training & Support
    • Contact Customer Support
    • Technical & Field Support
    • Close
Home » News & Insights » AMC’s Air Drop Missions & Santa Claus: What They Have in Common and Why Their Missions Matter

AMC’s Air Drop Missions & Santa Claus: What They Have in Common and Why Their Missions Matter

December 21, 2017

Santa is only a few days away from making his momentous, annual trek around the globe, visiting more than 1.6 billion households across 25 million habitable square miles, asserts Forbes. So how does Santa manage to get everything accomplished in time for the perfect Christmas morning? The answer is simple: Kris Kringle plans every detail to ensure he delivers the goods – with precision.

U.S. Air Force Illustration

Santa’s work at the North Pole is geared toward Christmas deliveries, but his mission is strikingly similar to that of the Air Mobility Command (AMC) – one of Tapestry Solutions’ significant customers. The commonalities between the two were highlighted in AMC’s open letter to Santa, authored by Col. Chris Karns, director of public affairs for the AMC at Scott Air Force Base. The letter went viral on social media prior to Santa’s journey around the globe.

Let’s take a closer look at what these major players have in common, and why it matters:

Both Deliver Hope and Goodwill on a Global Scale

Like Santa and his elves, the men and women with the AMC deliver hope and goodwill to millions around the planet. In 2017, expeditionary mobility airmen were in 77 locations around the world, performing tasks including refueling, airdrops, cargo hauling, presidential airlift and humanitarian relief missions.

Although they didn’t deliver toys, cookies and milk, the airmen delivered relief and support to those in need. During the devastating hurricanes in the Virgin Islands, for instance, the AMC’s 14th Airlift Squadron delivered 129,000 pounds of food and water to St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, in support of relief efforts after Hurricane Maria on Sept. 24. The airmen also delivered humanitarian aid to refuge camps around the world, feeding thousands of displaced men, women and children during joint operations.

“Whether we’re delivering beans and bullets, fuel at 25,000 feet, setting up a bare base at forward locations or bringing wounded to life-saving care … we deliver,” remarked Gen. Carlton D. Everhart II, the AMC commander, during the AMC’s 2017 Wingman Day event at Scott Air Force Base, Ill.

At the same time, the AMC delivered equipment and supplies to allied forces in the fight against ISIS – regular residents on Santa’s “Naughty List,” according to the letter. AMC aerial tankers flew more than 40 percent of United States Air Force (USAF) sorties in remote areas of the Middle East, hoping to make lives brighter for the good boys and girls in the region.

Like Santa, who delivers the right goods at the right time, the AMC must deliver with precision. The airmen often delver supplies to troops in austere conditions where there is inadequate or nonexistent roadways, treacherous terrain features, insurgent activity or other threats. During these missions, precision is critical to avoid collateral damage to civilian populace and property.

Both Must Ensure their Equipment is Well Maintained

As with Santa’s horse-drawn sleigh, AMC must keep its vintage aircraft properly maintained to perform their vital missions, year after year. USAF aircraft are 27-years-old on average, but most AMC aircraft are even older than that.

The KC-135 Stratotanker – the Air Forces’ main aerial refueler – averages 55 years of age. With an aging fleet, there is a decline in mission-capable rates. The Air Force Times reports that on any given day, only 7 in 10 USAF aircraft are ready to fly while aging aircraft are in the shop undergoing maintenance, upgrades and inspections.

The decline in mission-ready rates affects the AMC’s ability to move people, weapons, fuel and supplies, according to Brig. Gen. Stacey Hawkins, director of logistics, engineering and force protection for Air Mobility Command.

“When the mission-capable rates are lower … it affects the long-term readiness of our fleets, our ability to train our air crews, and it has a ripple effect that can take years to fix,” Hawkins continued.

To extend the life of its fleet, the AMC must rely on the support of the Air Reserve component by swapping or rotating aircraft.  “Sharing and cooperating definitely deserves a nod on the ‘Nice List’ – Right Santa?” Karns remarked in his letter.

AMC’s Top Wish for 2018: A Stable and Predictable Budget

Furthermore, Karns said AMC’s top wish list for 2018 is a stable and predictable budget, because freedom comes at a cost. Lack of funding limits flying hours, and defers restoration and modernization requirements. It also impacts readiness, training and “the lives of people selflessly serving to deliver hope and relief to so many.”

“Resolving, in 2018, to get this right is a must,” said Karns, asking Santa to “help deliver messages of hope and keep in mind all service-members who are deployed this holiday season.”

“If you happen to need an airlift this holiday season,” he continued, “remember, the Air Force is always there ― ready to partner and get the job done.”

About the Air Mobility Command:

Air Mobility Command’s mission is to provide rapid, global mobility and sustainment for America’s armed forces. The command also plays a crucial role in providing humanitarian support at home and around the world. The men and women of AMC provide airlift and aerial refueling for all of America’s armed forces

About Tapestry Solutions

Tapestry Solutions, Inc. is a global provider of information management software and services for defense, government and commercial markets. Backed by our parent company, The Boeing Company, we provide mission planning, training and simulation support to maximize readiness for our warfighters. We also help solve logistics challenges for the world’s largest and most complex supply chains. Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., Tapestry supports customers from more than 50 locations worldwide, including Saudi Arabia, Oman, Afghanistan, Kuwait, the UK, South Korea, Australia, Germany and Italy.

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information
does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

Contact:

Janet Dayton
Tapestry Solutions Inc.
jdayton@tapestrysolutions.com

Recent AMC Contracts:

Tapestry Solutions Awarded $26 Million to Develop Advanced Airdrop Mission Planning Software for U.S. Air Force

Tapestry-Jeppesen Team Awarded $28 Million Contract to Provide VIP Executive Flight Dispatch Services for U.S. Air Force, Air Mobility Command

 

Share this post

Related Posts

  • US Air Force Selects Boeing to Sustain C2 Software Platform for Air Mobility Command
  • Miro contracted by Air Force for Nuclear Enterprise Tracking System
  • GOLDesp rollout will modernize Kuwait Air Force F-18 fleet sustainment
  • Royal Australian Air Force Signs Deal with Jeppesen & Tapestry Solutions for Mission Management Suite; Software to Optimize Military Air Operations

Filed Under: Blog Posts Tagged With: Air Drop, Air Mobility Command, AMC, USAF

Categories

  • Blog Posts
  • Press Releases
  • Recent News
  • Uncategorized

Boeing Global Services

Italian Air Force Extends Relationship with Boeing to Contin
Norse Atlantic Airways Launches with Boeing Digital Flight O
Boeing Starts New A-10 Wing Deliveries to U.S. Air Force
Etihad Airways Adopts Boeing Digital Solution to Further Opt
Boeing Global Services CEO Ted Colbert Receives Black Engine

Tapestry Updates

  • US Air Force Selects Boeing to Sustain C2 Software Platform for Air Mobility Command
  • Boeing Awarded U.S. Military Load Planning and Tracking Sustainment Contract
  • Delivering Weapon Planning Software – Faster, Better and Smarter
  • U.S. Air Force Selects Boeing to Provide Weapon Planning Software
  • ‘CAT’ Mission Planning Software to Improve Accuracy for AMC Airdrops

Archives

U.S. HEADQUARTERS

6910 Carroll Road
San Diego, CA 92121-2211
United States
Tel: +1.858.503.1990
marketing@tapestrysolutions.com

Links

Menu
    • About Us
    • Solutions
    • Products
    • Media Center
    • Careers
    • Training & Support

PRIVACY NOTICE

The Privacy and Cookie Statement for The Boeing Company and its family of brands has changed, effective May 22, 2019, to allow for a more unified customer experience. You can review the updated Statement here.

Copyright ©2019 Tapestry Solutions Privacy PolicyTerms & Conditions

Thank you for your interest.
Please fill out the information below to access this white paper.

Thank you for your interest.
Please fill out the information below to access this case study.