18th Air Force commander, command chief visit McConnell

  • Published
  • By 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs staff
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Maj. Gen. James A. Hawkins, 18th Air Force commander, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., along with his wife, Linda, and Chief Master Sgt. Brye McMillon, 18th Air Force command chief master sergeant, will visit here April 24 to 26.

The 18th Air Force is responsible for tasking and executing all mobility missions. It consists of 12 Air Mobility Command wings, three AMC groups, two expeditionary mobility task forces and the Tanker Airlift Control Center. With an incomparable combination of airlift and air refueling missions, as well as the command and control of air mobility assets around the globe, 18th Air Force people and aircraft ensure America maintains global reach throughout the world.

General Hawkins graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1973. He has commanded the 23rd Bombardment Squadron, 2nd Operations Group, 319th Air Refueling Wing, 89th Airlift Wing and the Tanker Airlift Control Center. He has also served as Vice Director of the Joint Staff, Washington D.C., and Vice Commander of the 18th Air Force. Prior to his current assignment, he was Director of Operations at Headquarters AMC.

General Hawkins is a command pilot with more than 4,600 flying hours in a variety of aircraft. In August 1994, he served as an instructor pilot on Global Power 94-7, a 47-hour, around-the-world, non-stop B-52 flight - the longest bombing mission ever flown.

Chief McMillon serves as the advisor to the commander on matters of health, welfare, and morale of more than 42,600 total-force enlisted personnel assigned to the command's 12 wings, two expeditionary mobility task forces, the Tanker Airlift Control Center and three stand-alone groups.

Chief McMillon entered the Air Force in April 1981 and completed basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. His background includes various duties in security forces, manpower and resources.

Before assuming duties at his current position, he served as the command chief master sergeant for the 60th Air Mobility Wing, Travis Air Force Base, Calif. His assignments include bases in Oklahoma, North Dakota, New York, Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland and California.

The chief also served overseas in England and Korea and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as the command chief master sergeant for the 416th Air Expeditionary Group in Uzbekistan.