AETC Director of Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection visits Altus AFB

Dr. Jillian Watson, the Air Education and Training Command director of logistics, engineering and force protection (A4), visited Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, on Nov. 2 to engage with Airmen and civilian employees, hear about their experiences and learn more about the installation’s contributions to the Air Force global mobility mission. 

At Altus AFB, developing the mobility force requires more than flying training. It depends on the civilians who sustain installation operations, the maintainers who generate aircraft availability, the logisticians who move critical resources and the defenders who protect personnel and flight operations. 

Wing leadership, led by U.S. Air Force Col. Richard Kind, 97th Air Mobility Wing commander, outlined the installation’s mission, operational priorities and ongoing initiatives. The 97th AMW develops mobility Airmen through formal training for C-17 Globemaster III, KC-135 Stratotanker and KC-46 Pegasus aircrew, preparing personnel for airlift and aerial refueling missions across the force. 

Watson’s engagements with civilian employees and Airmen centered on the people who carry out that mission each day. During an all call with the civilian workforce and conversations across the installation, Watson heard firsthand perspectives on the challenges and contributions associated with supporting the wing’s flying-training mission. 

“Everything that this base does, whether you're in civil engineering, maintenance, or force support, you make an impact that is worldwide on behalf of the U.S. Air Force,” said Watson. “So, fundamentally, thank you. Thank you for joining the team.” 

The connection between individual contributions and the broader mobility mission was a recurring theme throughout Watson’s workforce engagements, including an Airmen’s lunch at Hangar 97. 

“It was valuable to hear her perspective, gain insight from her leadership and experiences, and learn more about the bigger picture of our mission,” said Master Sgt. Durwyn Clifton Jr., 97th Security Forces Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of operations. 

Readiness and sustainment were central to Watson’s visit. Discussions with the 97th Maintenance Group and avionics personnel addressed manning, supply chain velocity and C-17 fleet rotations, factors that influence aircraft availability and the wing’s ability to deliver consistent aircrew training. The 97th AMW’s all-civilian maintenance enterprise provides aircraft maintenance, sortie generation and maintenance support for the Air Force’s C-17, KC-135 and KC-46 formal aircrew training schools. 

Watson recognized Jeff Cunningham, 97th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron C-17 flight chief; Kevin Ware, 97th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron avionics flight chief; and Nicholas Baldock, 97th Maintenance Group quality assurance inspector, for superior performance and mission contributions. 

The visit also highlighted the infrastructure, logistics and force-protection capabilities that allow Altus AFB to sustain its flying-training mission. Watson met with 97th Mission Support Group leadership, toured the construction site for the new Rivers Elementary School and visited the 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron warehouse. The engagements reflected how installation services, resilient infrastructure and responsive logistics enable the wing to develop mobility Airmen. 

Watson recognized Airman 1st Class Joshua Darr, 97th Civil Engineer Squadron electrical power production apprentice, and Senior Airman Jordan Green, 97th LRS warehouse inspector, for superior performance and dedication to duty. 

Force protection rounded out the visit’s focus on mission enablement. Security Forces personnel updated Watson on Altus AFB’s counter-small unmanned aircraft system program and its role in detecting, identifying and responding to potential unmanned aircraft threats. She also recognized Staff Sgt. Tyler Mantoni, 97th SFS noncommissioned officer in charge of perimeter security, for superior performance.  “It was an honor to welcome Dr. Watson to the 97th Security Forces Squadron,” said Capt. Jonathan Rettig, 97th SFS commander. “We appreciate her taking the time to see our Airmen’s commitment to protecting the installation and ensuring the safety of our personnel and flight operations.” 

From maintenance and logistics to infrastructure and force protection, Watson’s visit underscored that developing the mobility force is an installation-wide effort. Altus AFB’s Airmen and civilian employees enable the training of C-17, KC-135 and KC-46 aircrew who will support airlift, aerial refueling and global mobility missions across the Air Force.

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