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ALCF Responsibilities
Overview
Second only to "real world"
situations, the primary responsibility of the ALCF is affiliation training. The ALCF cadre
provides training to airlift users within our area of responsibility. The area includes
the majority of Southern California and Hawaii. This training includes but is not limited
to, proper cargo preparation, correct cargo documentation, safe and efficient aircraft
loading of C-130, C-141B, C-5, C-17, KC-135, KC-10, and CRAF aircraft, and regulations
regarding cargo airlift. Our affiliates are units representative of the Army, Air Force,
Navy, Marine Corps, Reserves and National Guard. We also frequently train and deploy in
support of active duty units.
Airfields
TALCEs conduct worldwide operations from
airfields ranging for the most remote/austere locations (OB/FOB/LZ) to established
facilities. These can be either military or civilian airports.
TALCEs and Augmentation
When this flight is called on by AMC to
deploy a Tanker Airlift Control Element (TALCE) we can do so in several ways. These
packages vary in size and generally require augmentation from other organizations (Mission
Support Elements) to form the deployed TALCE. Examples of augmentation include: aerial
port, aircraft maintenance, security police, weather, intel, medical, fire protection, and
chaplain services. When these augmentees deploy with a TALCE, they come under the command
of the TALCE Commander. The time from notification to actual deployment can be as little
as 12 hours. This requires proper planning, coordination, and a high level of readiness on
the part of both the ALCF and the augmenting units.
When deployed the ALCF cadre is the command element of the deployed TALCE. The cadre
provides the commander, operations officers, the command and control function, and the
communications required to support the AMC mission.
Deployable Packages
TALCE: A Tanker Airlift Control
Element (TALCE) is the deployed aspect of AMC's Command, Control and Communications
network. It can function as simply a mobile command center or as an entire deployed AMC
support facility (a mobile AMC airfield, "just add a landing zone"). This
includes upload/download, refueling, weather forecasting/briefing, airfield security and
maintenance capabilities. Normally commanded by an Air Operations Officer.
MST: A Mission Support Team (MST) performs the same function as a TALCE; however, an
MST is commanded by an enlisted supervisor certified by the ALCF commander as an MST
"Team Chief."
CST: A Communication Support Team (CST) deploys in support of AMC communications
requirements and may or may not be a part of a TALCE. CSTs are formed from the ALCF
Communications Maintenance section.
AST: Airfield Survey Teams (AST) are responsible for conducting airfield surveys in
support of AMC operations worldwide. This team will be led by a TALCE cadre member
certified to conduct airfield surveys. Airfield surveys that are over two years old will
be re-accomplished whenever a TALCE is deployed. All surveys are to be evaluated and
updated during deployments to maintain current information (ref AFI 10-221).
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