AMMOS congratulates newest graduates Published Jan. 4, 2012 By Capt. Josh Ziemak U.S. Air Force Advanced Maintenance and Munitions Officer School NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Class 11B graduated from the U.S. Air Force Advanced Maintenance and Munitions Officer School Combat Support Course Dec. 16, 2011, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The graduates, all from various maintenance and munitions units across the Air Force, will go back to their units to produce, instruct and advise others in all aspects of effects-based logistics. Class 11B is the 23rd class to graduate from U.S. Air Force AMMOS and marks the 227th graduate since the course started in 2003. "Students are selected from across the United States Air Force because they have the greatest potential as graduates to expand combat capability," said Lt. Col. William Maxwell, U.S. Air Force AMMOS commandant. "AMMOS is an advanced combat support school that is extremely difficult and fast paced." U.S. Air Force AMMOS came about as a result of experience gained from Operation ALLIED FORCE. During the air war, former Air Force Chief of Staff General John Jumper, then the U.S. Air Forces Europe commander, noted a need for mid-level logistics officers to have enhanced logistics knowledge similar to what operators receive from the U. S. Air Force Weapons School. In December 2000, a CORONA tasker directed the development of an integration plan for incorporating logistics officer training into the 57th Wing's USAFWS. In June 2002, Jumper, then Air Combat Command commander, approved the "stand up" of the school at Nellis, as a part of the 57th Wing. The initial 14 person-cadre began developing the 19-week Air Expeditionary Force Logistics School in February 2002. The mission was to train selected mid-level captain logisticians in the integration of expeditionary logistics processes at the tactical level. Upon graduation, the students would be qualified in all aspects of effects-based logistics through the six phases of the agile combat support master processes. The first class of 12 students, comprised of aircraft maintenance, munitions, logistics planners and supply officers, graduated in June 2003. In October 2003, the Air Force realigned logistics functions at the wing level, thus necessitating a change to the newly established AEFLS. Aircraft maintenance and munitions officers now attend a 15-week course called U.S. Air Force AMMOS. The 15-week U.S. Air Force AMMOS course provides mid-level captains the ability to produce combat airpower, execute mission requirements, educate others, and develop an expeditionary mentality focused on winning today's wars while preparing to fly, fight and win the wars of tomorrow. The 15-week investment has taught these students leadership, critical thinking, the operational art of maintenance, fleet health management, the importance of mission readiness, sortie generation, flying hour program planning and execution, munitions operations, and logistics command and control to build a firm foundation for their future endeavors. That foundation will allow the graduates of AMMOS, to include the newest graduates of Class 11B, to meet and shape the challenges of tomorrow. To mark the occasion, U.S. Air Force AMMOS invited Maj. Gen. John Cooper, U.S. Air Force director of logistics and deputy chief of staff for logistics, installations and mission support, to be the guest speaker. According to Cooper, the "U.S. Air Force AMMOS has provided a phenomenal curriculum that has taught the future leaders of our Air Force how to create world class organizations." The graduates from the U.S. Air Force Advanced Maintenance and Munitions Officers School Combat Support Course, Class 11B include: Capt. Robert D. Dossman, Westover AFB, Mass. Capt. James L. Gutierrez, Vandenberg AFB, Calif. Capt. Amanda L. McFeeters, Aviano AB, Italy Capt. Steven W. Melton, Hill AFB, Utah Capt. Candido T. Mendes Jr., Nellis AFB, Nev. Capt. Kathryn M. Mobley, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C. Capt. Jason R. Moehle, Spangdahlem AB, Germany Capt. Jason E. Purcell, Travis AFB, Calif. Capt. Brian R. Sinkule, Holloman AFB, N.M. Capt. Warren S. Smith, Kadena AB, Japan Capt. Wesley A. Wade, Beale AFB, Calif.
