This week’s #TeamPopeHighlight is Tech. Sgt. Olivia Raiss, 43rd Group Staff Agency group commander executive assistant. As an executive assistant she manages the commander’s schedule, tasks that are assigned to them and ensures squadrons are completing their assignments on time. Raiss stepped out of her career field in public health to learn more about the Air Force. Her position in the group allows her to learn more about what each squadron does and how they all work together to complete the mission of the group and Air Force.
Hobbies: working out, travel, home renovation
Hometown: Gasport, N.Y.
Reason for Joining: Travel
Last week, Col. Allen Morris, Jr., and Chief Master Sgt. Tomio Brown, Sr., the command team for the 43rd Air Mobility Operations Group, worked shoulder-to-shoulder with Airmen to upload equipment onto an aircraft. Scheduled to transition out of their roles in the near future, Morris and Brown have consistently demonstrated a selfless leadership approach. By sharing in the heavy lifting, they continue to lead with a profound understanding of the hard work and dedication required to execute the mission at Pope Army Airfield.
📸: Derrick Witherspoon
This week’s #TeamPopeHighlight is Tech. Sgt. Matthew Brewer, 43rd Group Staff Agency chief innovation officer. Within his role, he analyzes problems or cost saving ideas that are brought to his attention. Brewer received his green belt certificate for solving a problem brought to his attention. Units on Pope use TACLANE to securely communicate. The device runs at 130 degrees Fahrenheit while in use and can damage their bottom plate. Each commercial plate costs $1,000. Brewer made a 3D printed mount for $2.11 which can save the Air Force $997.89 per plate. The 3D mounting system is slated to go Air Force-wide.
Hobbies: Car shows, learning and clay shooting
Hometown: Chesapeake, Va.
Reason for Joining: See the world and be a part of something bigger than himself
This week’s #TeamPopeHighlight is Airman Charles Watkins, 43rd Communications Squadron data operations technician. Watkins coordinated with Pope’s Adopt-A-School Program for volunteer events. A local school had a STEM night, Watkins teamed up with Gryphon Spark and printed miniature C-130 Hercules to hand out to attendees. On the STEM night Gryphon Spark gave a live demonstration of how the printer works. Watkins enjoys volunteering and won the 2025 volunteer of the year for his squadron.
Hobbies: learning piano and guitar
Hometown: Bolingbrook, IL
Reason for joining: Family tradition
Join Col. Allen C. Morris, Jr., 43rd Air Mobility Operations Group (AMOG) commander and Chief Master Sgt. Tomio P. Brown, Sr., 43rd AMOG command chief, in supporting the Air Force Assistance Fund. This charity and other Air Force official charities support Airmen and their families in many ways. The campaign kicks off at #TeamPope March 31, 2026, and goes year-round.
@usairforce | @airmobilitycmd
This week’s #TeamPopeHighlight is Senior Airman Erick Ruiz-Smarth, 43rd Air Mobility Squadron aircraft service technician. Ruiz-Smarth was on the flight line when an Army tactical vehicle caught fire. Already having noticed the vehicle having issues starting, he jumped into action and grabbed a fire extinguisher from a nearby K-loader. Following previous training, he extinguished the fire. The fire did reignite, but he stayed calm and extinguished the second fire, possibly saving lives and nearby equipment.
Hobbies: Cars and Fishing
Hometown: Magnolia, N.C.
Reason for joining: Grow professionally and personally
This week’s #TeamPopeHighlight is Master Sgt. Gregory Foster, 43rd Air Mobility Squadron operation superintendent. Foster won the Air Mobility Command Logistics Readiness Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year award. The award is earned through mission accomplishment, job performance, team building abilities and leadership. Foster also recognizes the award as mission success for his efforts throughout the year. Hometown: Shamong, NJ
Hobbies: Travel, woodworking and snowboarding
Reason for Joining: To be part of something bigger than himself
Students from class 26-B graduated from Chief Master Sgt. Louis Williams Airman Leadership School. The students completed 192 curriculum hours to become front line supervisors. The course enhances Airmen's ability to lead, follow and manage subordinates. They also learn more about the overall mission of the Air Force and their role in assisting the mission. Congratulations to all graduates!
The 43rd Air Mobility Operations Group hosted members of the Fayetteville Woodpeckers staff for a tour of Pope Army Airfield. The immersion included presentations from 43rd AMOG leadership, squadron commanders, and other senior staff members. The tour also included visiting the Pope Army Airfield air traffic control tower to view the flight line and a tour of the Pope Army Airfield Air Park. The goal of the visit was to foster the partnership established between the two organizations and to provide the Woodpeckers staff a better understanding of current operations at Pope Army Airfield.
ATTENTION!
As an effort to improve road conditions, parts of Rock Merritt Avenue will be closed from February 16 to July 4. The road closures will be between Hercules Gym and Butner Road. Please note that this schedule is subject to change. Monitor the electronic messaging sign on Rock Merritt Ave for updates. As February 16 comes closer, members of #TeamPope are advised to adjust driving routes accordingly.
This week #TeamPope partnered with visiting units from Air Mobility Command (AMC) to take part in Battalion Mass Tactical Week 26-02. BMTW is a brand of mobility exercise unique to Pope that takes place usually on a quarterly basis.
The week-long training affords Airmen the ability to maintain their proficiencies through realistic training in a controlled and safe environment. Additionally, partnering with the U.S. Army in a joint construct, Soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division use this training event to maintain their jump proficiencies as they support the Immediate Response Force (IRF). The IRF is a joint Army and Air Force unit designated to deploy anywhere in the world within 18 hours of notification.
@usairforce | @usarmy | @airmobilitycmd | @21af_usafec | @officialfortbragg
This week’s #TeamPopeHighlight is the 43rd Air Mobility Operations Group Safety Office. The team works together to ensure overall Air Force safety from aviation safety, occupational safety and weapon safety on Pope Army Airfield. In 2025, the team maintained a clean safety record, adherence to standards and proper risk mediation which resulted in winning the Chief of Safety Outstanding Achievement Award. This award represents the outstanding skills of the members who worked to maintain a strong safety program throughout the 2025.
