Army Airborne Board a joint effort

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher
  • 18th Air Force Public Affairs
For the first time, an Air Force general officer was invited to participate as part of the Army board focused on addressing concerns related to the doctrine, organization and training of Army airborne forces.

Lt. Gen. Sam Cox, 18th Air Force commander, attended the Army Airborne Board May 3 on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, as an advisor to the Board of Directors on Air Force matters.

Appointed by the Secretary of the Army in August 2015 to bring coherence and unity of effort to the Army's conventional airborne operations, the board is made up of 10 Army general officers and more than 70 non-voting members. Committees within the board tackle issues and provide recommendations which are then voted on and presented to the appropriate Army command for review, disposition and implementation. The board meets twice a year.

"I was deeply honored to be asked to participate in something so important to the future of America's Global Response Force," Cox said. "Airborne forces provide combatant commanders and the President with critical options to respond to crises around the world.  We work closely together for this joint mission."

The initial board meeting in January covered more than 20 topics from parachute revision to C-17 formation and spacing reduction.

Cox said it is important for the Army and the Air Force to integrate as much as possible in regard to airborne operations, both in the air and in the boardroom.

"Mobility Airmen play an important role," Cox said. "It's important that both the Army and Air Force collaborate at every possible level to make sure airborne missions and training events are safe and successful. I am grateful to Lt. Gen. [Steve] Townsend for the opportunity to participate with him and his airborne commanders in this important forum."

18th Air Force works closely with sister services and allies to provide airlift, aerial refueling and aeromedical evacuation to friendly forces across the globe.