Total Force leaders laser-focused on increasing readiness at Phoenix Rally

Published May 21, 2025
By Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --

Gen. Johnny Lamontagne, Air Mobility Command commander, hosted his first Total Force Phoenix Rally here, May 14-15, 2025. During the two-day gathering senior leaders from across the active duty, Air National Guard, and Reserve focused on integration, resourcing and exercises—all key components to maximizing readiness.

U.S. Air Force Gen. Johnny Lamontagne, Air Mobility Command commander, expands on his priorities and provides updates Air Mobility Command leaders during the Phoenix Rally at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, May 15, 2025. Airmen, Mission, and Commitment will guide AMC through tomorrow’s challenges as they respond to crises all over the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Monique Stober)

Lamontagne reviewed his priorities, providing updates since the initial roll-out at the Airlift Tanker Association symposium in November. Categorized as Airmen, Mission, and Commitment, Air Mobility Command continues its focus on tanker recapitalization, digital connectivity, accountability to standards, guaranteeing the nuclear mission, viability of the fleet and empowering leadership at every level.

“We must empower our squadron commanders to do what they need to do, and inform the staff rather than ask permission,” said Lamontagne. “A say-do gap exists, and we must close it.”

The first day also included discussion on combat readiness inspections, units of action, point defense, preserving readiness by better balancing daily U.S. Transportation Command taskings with high-end training, manning and the AMC communication strategy.

U.S. Air Force Gen. Johnny Lamontagne, Air Mobility Command commander, delivers remarks during the Phoenix Rally conference at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, May 15, 2025. Phoenix Rally focused on Air Mobility Command's priorities and how to work together to ensure rapid global mobility across the joint force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Monique Stober)

As part of the Air Force’s Units of Action, AMC is charged with building and training one of the Air Force’s first deployable combat wings at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. Former 379th Air Expeditionary Wing commander and current AMC chief of staff, Maj Gen Gerald Donohue, emphasized the DCW’s impact on future deployed commanders.

“Effectiveness is needed on day one,” said Donohue. “It was a privilege to command downrange, but it would’ve been even better with a DCW. The teaming aspect is extraordinary.”

The second day included senior leaders from across the Air National Guard and Reserve components. Lamontagne kicked off the day emphasizing his gratitude to the Total Force for their performance during the ongoing mobilization of Reserve forces to help execute a recent spike in global requirements.

“From AMC to the Total Force – thank you. You provided all kinds of capacity to USTRANSCOM and made our lives much better…we owe you better in terms of predictability.”

Gen. Johnny Lamontagne, Air Mobility Command commander

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. John Healy, Chief of the Air Force Reserve and Commander of Air Force Reserve Command, delivers remarks during the Phoenix Rally conference at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, May 15, 2025. Phoenix Rally brought together active duty, Air National Guard, and Reserve leaders to discuss integration, resourcing and exercises—all key components to maximizing readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Monique Stober)

Lt. Gen. John Healy, Air Force Reserve Command commander, and Maj Gen Bryony Terrell, special assistant to the director, Air National Guard, emphasized the power of the Total Force team.

“This is a learning relationship,” said Healy. “I am in favor of bringing the Total Force together often and working together to utilize the Reserve component in a predictive way.”

“There is not a more willing and better partner than the ARC community,” added Terrell. “We’ll move mountains to get the mission done.”

With an eye toward predictably accessing the ARC using data-driven projections on future operations, as well as budgeting for mobilization, the group spent time reviewing lessons learned and presented solutions on the spot.

Total Force leaders pose for a group photo during Phoenix Rally at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, May 15, 2025. Phoenix Rally focused on Air Mobility Command's priorities and how to work together to ensure rapid global mobility across the joint force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Monique Stober)

With Mobility Guardian 2025 less than 60 days away, the group also conducted a walk-through of the exercise. Underpinning the Department of the Air Force Level Exercise series, including Resolute Force Pacific, MG25 aims to improve understanding of logistical challenges, enhance interoperability with allies and partners, and test the command's ability to project and sustain the Joint Force across vast distances.

The exercise will also advance key concepts from MG23, including maximum endurance operations, specialized fueling operations, connectivity experimentation, agile combat employment and integration with geographic air operations centers.