Twitter
Facebook
***image1***Dec. 31 marks the beginning of the end for Rhein-Main Air Base. From that date, only a year remains until the historic base is closed.
With the closure of Rhein-Main, Ramstein will become Air Mobility Command’s premier European airlift base and “the new Gateway to Europe,” said Lt. Col. James Iken, 435th Mission Support Group deputy commander and base Rhein-Main Transition Program team chief.
Overall, the base is expected to see an average increase of eight to 10 aircraft movements per day in a peacetime environment. It means Ramstein should see 60 to 70 percent of the current Air Mobility Command flow at Rhein-Main.
However, because Rhein-Main only supports transient aircraft, no permanent aircraft will be transferred to Ramstein.
“In order to handle increased mission flow, upgrades are being done at Ramstein to reduce the time required on the ground to turn around aircraft for follow-on missions,” said Capt. Darrell Hahn, 435th Civil Engineering Squadron RMTP manager. “These upgrades include a new hydrant refueling system, a state-of-the-art air freight terminal with mechanized material handling system, a new and longer runway and expansion of the aircraft parking ramp.”
Although more missions are being planned, the same quiet hour structure applies. Missions requiring deviations to quiet hour rules need review and approval by the operations group commander.
“We are working closely with host nation and (U.S. Forces in Europe) authorities to ensure all transition actions are being accomplished in full compliance with German law,” said Colonel Iken.
In addition to seeing extra flights through the base, Ramstein will also see quite a few new faces. Approximately 182 Airmen and civilians from USAFE and AMC, plus their families, will move from Rhein-Main to Ramstein.
“The KMC is a great community, and we look forward to welcoming all of these people and their families into the area,” said Colonel Iken. “Our support services are working to ensure their move here is a smooth one.”
The USAFE people moving from Rhein-Main will be incorporated into the following units: 435th Comptroller Squadron, 86th Maintenance Squadron, 435th Communications Squadron, 435th Logistics Readiness Squadron, 435th Security Forces Squadron, 435th Civil Engineer Squadron and 435th Services Squadron. The AMC people who come here will be part of the 723rd Air Mobility Squadron.
There are currently no plans for new squadrons. However, at least one new tenant unit, the Army’s 64th Replacement Company, will join the KMC. They will be working Army R&R missions and unit movement missions at the new passenger annex.
“The KMC is a purple community, and we look forward to the experience and expertise these Soldiers will bring to the team,” said Colonel Iken.
To support the extra numbers of people and flights, several construction projects are planned over the next year.
These projects include: a new flight kitchen and fleet services facility, which is expected to be finished in March, and a C-5 hangar, which is currently under construction. Additionally, the passenger terminal will be expanded with two new jetways and an increased passenger handling capability.
A new “hot cargo” pad was just accepted; northern runway construction will start upon operational use of the new southern runway, and a new squad operations facility is under construction, said Captain Hahn.
