Air Mobility Liaison Officers work alone or in pairs, carrying everything they need to the destination to be assessed. Transportation is based on local assets and therefore not guaranteed. Once the AMLO arrive on site, they work along the friction point to include the landing zone. A solution that is portable and able to determine the viability of a possible landing zone or drop zone within an hour will significantly decrease the safety risk of the Airmen on the ground while accelerating the process.
AMLOs’ need to work quickly, often alone, with limited transportation support and a demand for assessment of suitability while monitoring for incursions during mission execution, made them eager to brainstorm solutions. Contingency Response (CR) Airfield Civil Engineering members were invited to participate in the workshop, sharing similar mission challenges while performing detailed surveys of new and existing airfields, required every five years.
Air Mobility Liaison Officers work alone or in pairs, carrying everything they need to the destination to be assessed. Transportation is based on local assets and therefore not guaranteed. Once the AMLO arrive on site, they work along the friction point to include the landing zone. A solution that is portable and able to determine the viability of a possible landing zone or drop zone within an hour will significantly decrease the safety risk of the Airmen on the ground while accelerating the process.
In an Air Mobility Command article, Col. John Bockhold, AMLO with the Army’s III Corps, said, "AMLOs are trained to identify a potential airlift issue and work with the supported unit and airlift community to find a solution that meets the requirements of both. The AMLOs are engaged with resolving an issue before it becomes a crisis ensuring the mission goes off smoothly and successfully."
The same article noted that the need for AMLOs is constant. Since the attacks on Sept 11, 2001, the warfighter and our nation have become increasingly dependent upon rapid, global mobility to meet our needs. With airdrop at an all-time high, the demand for AMLOs is too.
WBI's Proving Ground Team was instrumental in facilitating the workshop, beginning with deconstructing the problem and identifying the steps required for airfield studies and assessments by CRWs and AMLOs. Those groups work together to assess airfield possibilities but have yet to come together to discuss common pain points, and which areas could be improved.
During the workshop, participants explored relevant Air Force technologies, commercial solutions, and any combination that could serve the mission.
At the end of the workshop, the groups left with a clear layout of the problem, the current process, and how solutions can be integrated.
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