Spangdahlem Air Base

Next Stories

Previous Stories

080726-F-3213M-203

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – Open House visitors walk around and observe different aircraft and historical equipment, July 26, 2008. The Open House included static displays, squadron demonstrations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Staci Miller)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Paul Coblentz, 726th Air Mobility Squadron crew chief from Milwaukee, performs engine oil servicing on a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III Cargo Aircraft at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, May 7, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexis Siekert/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
RHEIN-MAIN AIR BASE, Germany -- Staff Sgt. Tony Trevino, 726th Air Mobitlity Squadron jet engine mechanic, blends the blades of a C-17 Globemaster lll engine on the flightline April 25, 2003. The 362nd Aerospace Expeditionary Group at Rhein Main set an Air Mobility Command record with 758 C-17 departures in March of 2003. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Felicia R. Haecker)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – Senior Airman Robert Hill, right, 726th Air Mobility Squadron aircraft services specialist, and Warrant Officer Al Sadler, Canadian Forces Detachment Spangdahlem services specialist, push a pallet off a 60K Tunner outside the squadron’s maintenance shop here Feb. 10, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dillon Davis/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Morning Shots

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Craig Fox, a 726th Air Mobility Squadron hydraulics maintainer, from Glenn Bernie, Md., marshalls a C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft Dec. 3, 2013. The C-17 Globemaster III can carry a maximum payload capacity of 170,900 pounds. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Rusty Frank/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Brant, 726th Air Mobility Squadron composite tool kit custodian from Millerton Pa., returns tools to shelves to their proper location Aug. 13, 2013. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kyle Gese/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany - Airmen from the 726th Air Mobility Squadron prepare to load cargo onto a C-130J Super Hercules in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn March 20, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nathanael Callon)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

726th AMS celebrates 10th anniversary

Published Oct. 1, 2015
By 2nd Lt. Meredith Mulvihill
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015, marks 10 years since the 726th Air Mobility Squadron arrived at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.

The unit, which can trace its origins to the end of World War II and the Berlin airlift, was originally located at Rhein-Main Air Base near Frankfurt, Germany. It transferred to Spangdahlem following the former base's closure in 2005.

Since moving to Spangdahlem, the 726th AMS has continued its mission of enabling the delivery of war-fighting and humanitarian efforts through rapid global air mobility. Nicknamed the "Gateway to Freedom," it has provided transportation, maintenance, and cargo support for Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn.

The unit also oversees the operation of Spangdahlem's passenger terminal.

"On a daily basis the men and women of the 726th Air Mobility Squadron do incredible work," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Christopher Ott, director of operations for the 726th AMS. "In an average year the 726th AMS moves over 16,500 tons of cargo and 13,000 passengers, providing critical support to warfighters in five combatant commands."

The 726th celebrated the anniversary with an on-base ceremony Friday, Sept. 25. The ceremony honored the individuals who helped transition the unit from Rhein-Main to Spangdahlem, and included a speech by U.S. Air Force Col. (ret.) Michael Polhemus, commander of the 726th AMS from 2003-2005.

Ott said the anniversary celebration provided an opportunity to pay tribute to those who helped make the transition a decade ago a success, and to honor the 726th AMS's enduring partnership with the 52nd Fighter Wing and the local community.