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The Exceptional Release

Celebrating Twenty Years

• Mature and powerful operating system • Guaranteed performance at UUT interface • Modular, open systems architecture to accommodate future requirements • Flexible switching • DOD 5000.2-R compliant • Powerful fault diagnostics

of Logistics Excellence

RF BRAT 300 Series Logistics Officer Association Post Office Box 2264 Arlington, VA 22202 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit Org. US Postage PAID Brockton, MA Permit No. 301

Logistics Officer Association enhancing the military logistics profession since 1982

Executive Board President

Col Carmen Mezzacappa president@loanational.org

Celebrating Twenty Years of Logistics Excellence 20th Anniversary Edition•Issue No.87 Featuring:

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Vice President

LOA Website Transformation by Capt JD Duvall

Lt Col Evan Miller vicepres@loanational.org

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Treasurer

Maj Kevin Sampels treasurer@loanational.org

Assistant Treasurer Lt Col Tracy Smiedendorf assttreas@loanational.org

Executive Senior Advisor Lt Gen Michael E. Zettler

ANG Advisor

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Brig Gen Douglas S. Metcalf

Maintenance Officer Association “Where It All Began” by Lt Col (Ret) Larry Matthews

LOA: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow by Gen (Ret) George Babbitt

Retiree Advisor Col Geary W. Wallace, Ret.

Historian Col James E. Maher, Ret.

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Logistics Support for the Joint Warfighter by Gen John P. Jumper, Chief of Staff, United States Air Force

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Conference Highlights

The Exceptional Release Editor-In-Chief Lt Col James R. “Reggie” Hall editor@loanational.org

Assistant Editor Maj Mike Moore assteditor@loanational.org

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Executive Director, Public Relations

From LOA to MOA by Lt Col James Hannon and Lt Col James Hall

Kimberly Kortum pr@loanational.org

LOA Scholarship Committee Chair

Lt Col James Hannon james.hannon@pentagon.af.mil

LOA Website www.loanational.org

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Webmaster Capt JD Duvall webmaster@loanational.org

LOA National PO Box 2264 Arlington, VA 22202 Issue No. 87 th 20 Anniversary Edition

A View from the Top by Lt Gen Michael Zettler, Deputy Chief of Staff, Installations and Logistics

In Every Issue

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Vantage Point Chapter Updates

The Exceptional Release, 20th Anniversary Edition

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Editor’s Debrief On The Move

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Vantage Point Col Carmen Mezzacappa, LOA President Greetings from your new National Board! We’ve been busy working to stabilize several LOA items that I’d like to update you on: Vision: “Develop professional and effective logisticians by educating and uniting a dynamic membership to enhance the readiness of Air and Space Forces.”

Membership: 2003 is the “Year of the Member.” I challenge each member to reach out to Civil Service, Guard, Reserve, sister-Service and foreign Service logistics partners and ask them to join your local chapters and LOA National. There’s a lot of mentoring and synergy that we are not tapping into that could make our organization stronger and better.

In addition, over half of our local chapters have 15-20 Active Duty members who are not National members. I encourage each Chapter President to have a LOA National membership drive to increase national membership.

Membership Numbers/Goal: Speaking of membership, as of 5 December 2002, LOA has 1937 dues-paying members! LOA’s goal is to reach 2,500 members by 1 January 2005! This is an ambitious 30% increase in two years, but not impossible. Our numbers have grown by x in the past two years. I’m confident we Air Force Logisticians are up to the challenge!

ER: We are attempting to make the ER publication timetable more predictable starting in 2004. As you know, we are in the process of hiring a new Marketing and Publishing representative (go to our website if you are interested in applying or know someone who is).

Our new contract will hold LOA’s feet to the fire to get articles in on time so the magazine can be published on time. We need your help in this area. I’m asking that all chapters support this effort in two ways. First, take a look at the ER themes for the year and provide articles that are specific to the theme in one of the logistics disciplines. For example, if the theme is Expeditionary Operations and your unit has just deployed or recently come back from a deployment, step up and write an article for the ER. We are interested in ALL logistics disciplines being represented in as many ER’s as possible throughout the year.

Additionally, we will accept articles on items that might be of interest to our members, even if it doesn’t fit exactly into one of the “themes.” We want to hear from you and your units. How’s it going in the LRS’s? etc. The second area you can help us with is keeping your address current. In your chapter meeting, ask newly PCSed members if they have updated their address on the website. LOA pays a lot of money reach year to the US Post Office for returned and forwarded ER’s.

Awards Program: Lt Col Rich Schwing from Sheppard AFB volunteered to help LOA in any way we could use his talents. He worked the LOA Awards Program through feedback from the chapters and the National Board. We have a more comprehensive, professional and understandable awards program thanks to his help. The new, and improved LOA G will be out soon. HOOAH! (I couldn’t help myself…I work at Army Materiel Command and it just slipped out.)

National Board Recorder: Another person who volunteered his time and talents to make LOA better is Capt Matt Paskin. He is the recorder for the National Board’s weekly meetings and has been a big help keeping us straight with comprehensive agendas and taking minutes. Thanks Matt!

Mentor Program: We are dedicated to reenergizing the mentor program. Your Vice President, Lt Col Evan Miller, is working with BG Metcalf to put some meat on the program. You should see the first of many update emails soon. We are working with the

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The Exceptional Release written by logisticians for logisticians

A Professional Military Journal The purpose of the Logistics Officer Association (LOA) is to enhance the military logistics profession.

LOA provides an open forum to promote quality logistical support and logistics officer professional development.

Publisher Col Carmen Mezzacappa, USAF

Editor-in-Chief Lt Col James “Reggie” Hall, USAF

Assistant Editor Maj Mike Moore, USAF

Production Ms. Kimberly Kortum Policy on Written Submissions The editor invites articles and other contributions on issues that support LOA’s purpose.

Direct manuscripts, letters and other communications to:

Lt Col James “Reggie” Hall 1030 Air Force Pentagon Room 5D967 Washington DC 20330-1030 DSN: 225-4665 or 703-695-4665 Email: editor@loanational.org Deadlines: 15 Dec, March, June, September Format: Double-spaced, typed and electronically submitted to the Editor.

Graphics: (black & white or color) should be sent electronically and individually; they should be a resolution of 150 or higher.

Submitter data: Rank; full name; service; home mailing address; business name and address; business phone (DSN & commercial); E-mail; three to five sentence biographical sketch; and a photo.

Editorial Policy: The editor reserves the right to edit all submission for length, clarity, and libel.

Advertising Contact Ms. Kimberly Kortum 658 Tremont St #7 Boston, MA 02118 617.236.7246 Email: pr@loanational.org

Subscriptions Published quarterly, the ER is available via membership in LOA at the cost of $25 for 12 months. Access membership forms on the website.

Disclaimer The opinions, conclusions, and recommendations expressed or implied within are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of LOA or any agency of the Federal Government. Acknowledgement to The Exceptional Release should be made whenever material is quoted from or based on its contents.

Tinker Chapter to ensure there is time in the 2003 agenda devoted to a mentors and mentees meeting.

2003 Conference Theme: The Tinker Crossroads Chapter is hosting the 2003 Conference on 13-16 October. The theme is Expeditionary Crossroads. The preliminary, rough agenda is as follows: Golf tournament on Columbus Day, 13 October; with LOA meetings, Keynote Speaker luncheon and Vendor Reception on Tuesday, 14 October; and then, LOA meetings and Keynote Speaker luncheon on Wednesday, 15 October; the final day is LOA morning meetings and afternoon career-development tours on Thursday 16 October – with the crowning event, the Banquet, on Thursday night. There is no general-session LOA meeting scheduled for Friday at this time. Mark it on your calendars now….the Crossroads Chapter and Oklahoma City are rolling out the Red Carpet on this conference!

2004 Conference: Columbus Day Weekend 2004—See You In Vegas!$!$ Congratulations to the Blackjack Chapter who won the bid to host the 2004 LOA Conference. (The agenda timetable should follow the one noted above.) I can’t tell you how close the competition was for the 2004 Conference! We’d like to thank the chapters who put in bids: San Antonio, Hill, and Warner-Robins. The competition was incredibly stiff and we had to meet more than once to make a final decision. Thanks to all the chapters that bid and please consider bidding to host 2005!

2005 Conference: It’s not too early to consider hosting the 2005 National Conference! We have grown in membership, attendance, and vendor support so that it is all but impossible to lock in a location without two years’ notice. In case you didn’t know, the local chapter garners 5% of the conference net profit! The bid packages for 2005 are due to LOA NLT 31 July 2003. We will announce the winners during the 2003 Conference in Oklahoma City, 13-16 October (notice how I worked that in again!). This will be the future, standard timetable for conference bid package submission and announcement of the winning chapter. Bids due to LOA NLT 31 July of a given year, and announced at that October’s conference. The standard schedule will include the golf tournament on Columbus Day, with the conference agenda held the following Tuesday through Thursday, and the capstone banquet event Thursday night. This schedule ensures standard conference dates each year to maximize planning for both member and vendor participation scheduling.

My personal thanks to your: Vice President, Lt Col Evan Miller; Treasurer, Maj Kevin Sampels; Asst Treasurer, Lt Col Tracy Smiedendorf; and Webmaster, Capt JD Duvall. Their enthusiasm, great ideas, and sound council, and incredible hours devoted to LOA business have been invaluable. That’s enough for this edition!

The Exceptional Release, 20th Anniversary Edition

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Editor’s Debrief Lt Col James “Reggie” Hall, Editor-In-Chief Greetings and best wishes for a blessed 2003! Well, the long awaited LOA 20th Anniversary commemorative ER edition is finally here! We’ve taken some time over the past few months to assemble highlights from the 20th Anniversary National Conference held in Washington D.C. last September. For those of you who attended the conference, hopefully the articles and pictures will remind you of the great time you had in our nation’s Capital learning about joint logistics, laughing with old friends and new acquaintances, and exchanging tips and techniques on how to improve logistics support for the warfighter. For those of you who could not attend the conference, our objective with this issue is simple, present a virtual LOA 20th Anniversary experience. Although we can’t recapture all the energy, enthusiasm, and excitement of Conference 2002, we’ve filled this issue with articles that feature the conference keynote addresses, and a retrospective view of LOA growth and development though the last twenty years.

We begin, as always, with an introductory note from our new LOA National President, Colonel Carmen Mezzacappa, which summarizes the strategic vision of the executive board and details several LOA programs and initiatives. Capt J.D. Duvall, our LOA webmaster, pens a nice synopsis of the LOA website transformation covering the www.loanational.org origins, current functionality, and future enhancements.

Lt Col (Ret) Larry Matthew’s article “The Maintenance Officer Association – Where It All Began” answers the 5 W questions (who, what, when, where, why) and how about the birth of MOA, LOA’s predecessor. This piece could well be titled, “LOA History 101”, as it contains everything you ever wanted to know about how LOA came to be. General (Ret) Babbit’s “LOA Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” banquet speech covers the growth of MOA and evolution to LOA. Gen Babbitt also touches on where LOA is today and where LOA can focus in the future. Just as the Air Force logistics organizational structure has expanded, he encourages LOA to enlarge its vision beyond the wing to the operational and strategic levels of military logistics.

General Jumper and Lieutenant General Zettler’s articles offer a view from top Air Force leadership on current issues, challenges, and changes. Gen Jumper’s provides a comprehensive discussion of the Combat Wing Organization includes the operational considerations that led to the reorganization and the core competencies and expeditionary skills that will be resident in the new Maintenance and Mission Support Groups. Gen Zettler shares his assessment of Air Force Logistics in terms of resources, manpower, reorganization, and training.

The key focus for the future logistics leaders is expeditionary readiness and execution. Pack your mobility bag and prepare to operate in the deployed environment. We wrap up this edition with the “From MOA to LOA - 20 Years of Logistics Excellence” banquet presentation written by Lt Cols Jim Hannon, Reggie Hall, and Mrs. Marta Hannon. This comprehensive look at LOA though the years also covers the changing Air Force and shifting global arena. For all of our junior members who always wanted to know but were afraid to ask, “What was the Air Force really like twenty years ago?” this article serves as the readers digest anthology. For those of us who’ve been around for most of that time, the article reflects the changing national and international military strategies and how Air Force logistics has adapted to meet the mission over the years.

So there you have it, twenty years of logistics excellence in 40 pages or less, LOA past, present, and future. For some it may serve as the quintessential LOA reference guide, placed with reverence next to Webster’s and Roget’s. For others it may function as the ever-useful LOA Cliffs Notes, highlighted and tattered, always handy for a chapter meeting quiz. Others may choose to keep it sealed in cellophane and preserved in pristine condition hoping for the appreciation of a Marvel comic’s Spiderman first edition. However you choose to use this commemorative piece of LOA history, we hope you enjoy this anniversary issue. May LOA’s next 20 years be as prosperous as the first.

Reggie

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LOA Website Transformation Capt JD Duvall, LOA Webmaster With all great endeavors there is always a little bit of history to be told. After I took over the LOA Webmaster duties from Maj Davis in Jul 2002, I spent some time researching where the LOA Website came from and put pen to paper regarding Maj Davis’ accomplishments.

LOA Webmaster History Maj Ben Davis was the original webmaster and creator of www.loanational.org in 1999. Maj Davis served as webmaster till 2002. He brought leading edge information technology, design, and e-business practices to our professional organization. For the first time in 15 years, logisticians are now able to conduct secure transactions for annual membership dues and scholarship donations for over 1600 members.

Maj Davis was instrumental in building a conference registration system to completely automate registration, payment, reporting, and information sharing. He built the foundation for chapter website hosting and sponsored the LOA Feature Website of the Quarter program which recognizes outstanding chapter websites.

Maj Davis defined and automated business processes for a 16 member National Executive Council. His vision didn’t stop there, Maj Davis sought out ways to reduce expenditures associated with National LOA elections by creating an electronic balloting, polling, and group messaging system that serves as the membership’s preferred method of selecting the national board members.

If you are interested in seeing the complete visual history of the LOA website please visit: http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.loanational.org This link was researched by Capt David Boles, Tinker Chapter Webmaster.

What Can You Do On The LOA Website?

After logging in with your LOA username and password, members can access a variety of functions: 1. Membership Status – Header bar displays your dues date and how many days until expiration.

2. Renew – Visa and MasterCard payments are accepted for pay-

ment of 1-3 years and optional scholarship donations. Our service provider uses that latest security and virus protection. Credit card transactions are processed through Bank of America using Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protection and 128-bit encryption.

3. Update My Info – Change your rank, mailing address, duty title, chapter preference, privacy options, and more!

4. Search Membership Directory – Query the on-line database in real-time by name, base, chapter, or company. Only duty information is displayed. Your home address is viewable only by you.

5. Mentor Program – Sign up to be a mentor or request a mentor; matches are viewable only by the individuals.

6. Scholarship Donations – Use your Visa or MasterCard to donate any amount.

7 Change and Recover Password – For those who don’t like remembering passwords, click on “Forgot My Password” as often as you like. You’ll receive it minutes later in your in-box.

8. Merchandise – View LOA shirts, coins, watches, and coasters sanctioned

by LOA National and offered for sale by various chapters.

9.

Corporate Membership (New/Renew) - Visa and MasterCard payments are accepted for annual corporate membership payment.

10. Conference Registration Information System – Allows members to register for the annual conference and pay via credit card.

This new enhancement to our website comes complete with a set of tools the conference staff uses to manage organizing and executing the annual conference.

11. On-line Voting – A great tool for all chapters to use to conduct their chapter elections, create opinion polls, etc.

12. On-line Messaging System - Chapter leaders have access to the On-Line Messaging System which allows them to send emails to their entire chapter membership. There is no longer a need to maintain a local email list.

Chapter/Member Enhancements My goal is to create an environment that allows members to collaborate and share information. First, the most important mar-

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The Exceptional Release, 20th Anniversary Edition

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Continued from Page 5 keting tool a local chapter can have is a website. Over the past years, LOA has offered web space for sale but many chapters did not have individuals with the knowledge to create and maintain their own website. Now all chapters have the ability to create a free chapter website and manage it using a simple web editor. Here are a few of the highlights about using the free service:

tive presence on our National LOA Website. Every visitor to the LOA website will clearly see one of our feature corporate partners.

Real-Time Chapter Standings – Everyone can now see real-time chapter standings and view which chapter has the most members. If you are in a race to knock off one of the top chapters you can monitor your chapter’s growth.

Real-Time Demographics – If you are interested in how many Stars, Bars, Retirees, corporate members, etc are members of LOA check out our real-time demographics of the entire LOA organization.

•Displays Chapter Leadership and Contact Info •News and Announcements •Chapter Mailing Address

What’s Next For the LOA Website?

•Chapter Sponsored Web Links •Professional Look and Feel •Completely Integrated with the National LOA website features

ER On-Line: Look for all Exceptional Releases to be available around Jan 03. This will be a slow process as I scan each edition, build a searchable index, and convert each edition to a PDF file.

The 2nd most important tool LOA members need to have is a collaborative environment. MyLOA Portal does just that! MyLOA allows all logisticians (existing and prospective) to share information, discuss current issues, display their chapter’s upcoming events, etc. MyLOA is not tied to the LOA Membership Directory and registration is free and open to anyone.

Chapter Leader’s Forum: Chapter Leaders will have a new section that will serve as a discussion forum, archive, best practices, etc to help promote the sharing of information and resources to continue chapter growth.

Technical questions maybe directed to me at webmaster@loanational.org. v/r Capt JD DuVall LOA Webmaster

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http://www.loanational.org/MyLOA/ )

Additional Enhancements Corporate Partners – Our corporate members now have distinc-

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Maintenance Officer Association “Where It All Began” Lt Col (Ret) Larry I. Matthews, USAF First, let me thank you for the hospitality you have extended to the MOA founders. My reactions to all this attention vacillates considerably. Part of the time I feel like some minor league rock star.

Other times I feel sort of like the little old guy on the street corner at the 4th of July parade in his doughboy uniform.

I retired 19 years ago, and due to a variety of conflicting priorities was totally out of touch, not only with MOA, but the Air Force in general. Now, plugged back in, I see certain Rip Van Winkle-type ironies then-to-now. First off, when I retired there was a George Bush in the White House. Hmm… And, the Air Force was reorganizing the aircraft maintenance functions. What is up with that?

Course you can always spot old maintenance officers. Their favorite parlor games have become 1.) 20 questions…..shouted into their good ear, and 2.) Simon says …. something totally incoherent The MOA Beginnings

graphically dispersed, and at varying organizational levels.

The first MOA newsletter was distributed in May 1982 with the clever title of The MOA Newsletter. At the time that newsletter was distributed there was a grand total of fifty members. However, keep in mind the times. This was pre-Email, before the introduction of call-anywhere-in-the-country cell phones, and calling an overseas installation required booking with the overseas operator (and remember, MOA matters were not ‘official business’). As a result, by today’s standards, things moved slowly.

The first newsletter reiterated the organizations purpose and focus; “The Maintenance Officer Association (MOA) is an association of maintenance officers (MOs) committed to enhancing the USAF mission by improving the maintenance world. Consistent with that overall objective, MOA is committed to upgrading the image, visibility, and promotability of the maintenance officer corps”.

Plain and simple. Well, maybe not simple. And, note that there is

I will preface my remarks by borrowing from author Kurt Vonnegut’s Commencement address at MIT when he opened his remarks with a piece of advice for the graduates. He said, “If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it.

The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experiences

In discussing, the formation and the foundation of the Maintenance Officer Association, I think it’s important to dispel a couple of myths. First, and foremost, MOA was NOT founded in a bar in the Philippines at last call. …….As best I remember it was Thailand – and it was WAY past closing time.

No seriously, the idea of such an organization had been batted around for as long as I could remember. So in late Dec 1981, I started the MOA. Which does bring to mind a contemporary author’s observation that …. When trouble arises and things look bad, there is always one Individual who perceives a solution and is willing to take command. Very often, that individual is crazy as a loon.

A letter I sent to nine of my contemporaries on 16 December 1981 started the Maintenance Officer Association (MOA). I selected the nine based not only for their collective demonstrated talents but also because of their dispersal throughout the Air Force. It seemed logical that the fledging organization should be, at least initially, representative of the maintenance officer population. So the nine were in different MAJCOMs (including the overseas commands), geo-

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nothing even alluding to MOA being anti- anything. The idea that MOA was started, or grew as an anti-OPs organization is poppycock.

The Start-up was fun!

Once we realized that the organization was ‘a go’, and that the Selectric typewriter approach wasn’t going to hack it, that’s when things got interesting. We needed a computer. Again, keep in mind the times. For the most part, the only USAF people with any computer knowledge and experience were the IT nerds down in the headquarters computer room.

So my wife, Marian (the first MOA volunteer), and I went out and

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bought a computer. Not only was this computer pre-Windows, it was pre-DOS – an operating system called CPM. One of the charming things about CPM was that there were no icons, menus or shortcuts. The screen booted up blank with a blinking cursor and you had to type in a computer code string for everything you wanted to do. That discovery prompted the first of many OJ’s on our part – OJ as in Oh, Jesus. Computer documentation at that time was written by nerds for nerds, oft-times neither of whom claimed English as their native language. And the computer whizbangs at the local computer store spoke in tongues only they u n d e r s t o o d .

Somehow, we got through all that, although in the process Marian invented some new words and I was the recipient of several new and rather descriptive terms of endearment.

tionally and personally. It also meant that later in your career you were often repeating yourself in duty positions.

2. The missing year groups also meant that we were often operating without mentors, trainers , and role models. More often than not, our supervisors were rated supplement officers without the aircraft maintenance experience to be our trainers. However, having said that, the rated supplement program was crucial during those years. Without the ‘supps’, we young maintenance officers would have been trying to fill two jobs we weren’t qualified for. And many of those ‘supps’ either were, or became outstanding aircraft maintainence officers.

There were, by modern USAF standards, a lot of strange things that when on.

In fact, looking back, some of those things seem almost comical compared to the modern Air Force. I’ll share a couple of examples to give you a frame of reference;

I am convinced, as is Luke Gill, the 2nd MOA president, that MOA survived the start-up first couple of years primarily due to Marian’s energies. I also think that Luke Gill’s tenure as president was crucial. Luke was left with the task of providing the fledging organization with some focus and direction. Up to that point, the organization could probably best be described as in after-burner with no heading indicator.

MOA and the ‘new’ Air Force I am equally convinced now, as I was then,

Keynote speaker Gen (Ret) Babbitt &

1. July 29, 1964, I, and my non-rated OTS classmates, had a career briefing from the MPC folks that said in essence, if you work hard and do well you have a chance to make O-5 before you retire. I assure you that was not the same briefing that our OTS classmates headed to undergraduate flying training were getting.

Yes, there were separate briefings!

that the MOA was filling a critical void. During MOA Founder, Lt Col (Ret) Larry Matthews. my career the Air Force was a very different place than it is today, particularly in the MO world. I was a member of the ’64 year group, 2. In the 70s, I and many of my contemporaries had our own perthe head-end of what was the Southeast Asia (SEA) build-up. The relsonal copy of a letter to the Military Personnel Center from a Wing evance here is that the maintenance officer force in the year groups Commander requesting that only rated officers fill all his maintepreceding us was virtually non-existent – the USAF had not been nance squadron commander positions. Well, OK. But, the reasonprocuring maintenance officers for several years. Which meant a ing was quote: since rated officers always command the respect of couple of things that are pertinent to this discussion: their people, a trait not inherent in the non-rated officer. unquote.

1. My contemporaries and I filled many of the ‘career 3. In 1967 I was the FMS Commander in an outfit that won the squares’ early – way early. I was a maintenance sq commander the Dedallion Award for best maintenance organization in the Air first time as a brand new Captain. You can imagine some of the turForce. My counterpart OMS Commander and I were not attendees moil created from that ‘deficient experience base’ - both organiza-

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Continued from page 7 at the awards banquet because our Wing Commander felt our nonrated status was inappropriate since membership in the Dedallion organization was restricted to flyers. They sent in our place to accept the trophies, two young rated officers who weren’t even in maintainence.

started to view the career field as a profession rather than a job.

And, many of the more senior maintenance officers started paying much more than just lip service to the concept of mentorship. Over the years, we quit eating our young.

- By the way don’t you find it a bit unnerving that doctors call what they do “practice”?

That was the system, and quite candidly we understood that. My

And Now It is the Logistics Officer Association?

young son, a VMI cadet, C-141 crew chief reservist, and soon to be USAF aircraft maintenance officer says, “Well that’s not fair.” If life was fair, Elvis would be alive and all these impersonators would be dead.

I would be less than candid if I didn’t share with you that most of my maintenance officer contemporaries did not consider themselves loggies! We were aircraft maintenance officers who, because of some strange AFSC numbering system that we did not understand, came under the logistics umbrella. Sorry, LOA but that is a fact. For many of us a logistics career broadening assignment was viewed as a fate worse than kissing your sister. Maybe, more like kissing your brother in-law. .... at the family reunion. .... and Uncle Fred got it on videotape. If the people you worked with were not in fatigues and the smell of JP4 was not coming under your office door, you were in the wrong job – and looking for a ‘right’ one. (Sound like a fighter pilots lament?) I don’t say that it was smart, just was.

I am not saying we agreed with the system, but we also were neither intimidated by it or obsessed with the inconsistencies. It was, I think Eleanor Roosevelt, who said, “ No one can make you feel inferior unless you buy in to that.”

There were a host of changes in the maintenance officer world dur-

ing my career in the Air Force. And by the time I retired, promotion statistics for maintenance officers where comparable to those of the rated pilots and, in fact, better than those for navigators and WSOs. And, a number of my aircraft maintenance contemporaries became I contend that the aircraft maintenance business is different, primageneral officers, and one (that I know of) earned his third star. We rily because we worked with, supervised and shepperded hundreds came a long way, baby! of those 18-19 year olds that America’s “Anderson, I called a Momma in Oklahoma today to comI am not naïve enough to believe that fort her, to confirm what she already knew from other Mommas had loaned us for four years. I MOA was the catalyst of those changes. official Air Force sources - that her boy was coming home had the honor of working with two of The guys at Palace Log (MOs who ran in a wooden box. The officer in me made me make that the DCM icons of my era, Crawford O. the career field at MPC) were a major call that I didn’t have to, and did not want to make. The Murphy and Dick Watson, both of whom are no longer with us. One was factor, as were some very enlightened gentleman in me let me cry with her.” quiet and unassuming, the other bomleaders at the upper levels of the AF bastic and dynamic.

The common thread, other than mentoring logistics organization over a period of years. Also, the Ops guys at MPC started managing the rated supplement program with some their young maintenance officers? Both had a passion for those kids goals in mind as opposed to the rather helter-skelter approach that on the flight line. You want trouble? Say something, or propose something that either of them thought indicated you had lost sight program took when it was run at the wing level. of that ‘greater Mama mission’. Hell hath no fury.

I also think that the Vietnam War had a big impact on the maintenance career field as well. There were a lot of Wing Kings who fell These were men who influenced careers. One night, late, in the bar on their swords in SEA trying to ignore the realities of maintenance at Osan, Dick Watson layed out what became one of the guiding capability under the myth of ‘keep ‘em flying till we win’. But, I am principles of my career, even my life. At an assembly of the mainteconvinced there were even more SEA wing commanders who left nance officers – that had gone on too long at that point, I might add: that experience with a first hand understanding of the concept of young 2Lt Anderson suddenly got philosophical and asked Watson maintenance capabilities and an appreciation of what a soundly man- to describe the distinction between - the releavence of - officer AND gentleman. You could have heard a pin drop, for as all of you aged maintenance force could really produce, even long-term. know, the officer/gentleman charter (and its feminine gender equivThe Logistics Community’s’ Rivet- initiatives in the ‘70s and ‘80s alent) is sacred ground - not a joking matter, regardless of the hour were also a big ‘get well’ factor. The realization that the functional or the sobriety condition. Without hesitating Col Watson said, managers have to stay connected with their manpower, personnel “Anderson, I called a Momma in Oklahoma today to comfort her, and training (MPT) counterparts was a big wake-up call that led to to confirm what she already knew from other official Air Force major changes in the normal way of doing things in the MPT arena. sources - that her boy was coming home in a wooden box. The offiSo MOA did not single-handedly change the world, but I do believe cer in me made me make that call that I didn’t have to, and did not that the organization was a contributing factor. If nothing else, I am want to make. The gentleman in me let me cry with her.” convinced that, for the first time some of the more junior officers

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What I am suggesting is, that the farther one’s job and daily duties

maintenance capability. So, I will pose the questions to LOA:

separate one from that smell of JP-4, it is incumbent on all to remember that new logistics technology, exotic weapon systems and esoteric management procedures are not the end product. What is important is that right now as we sit h e r e , there is a 2-striper on the ramp at O s a n , middle of the night in a cold rain, nursing a hydraulic leak on an 8 AM go. And she will put in the same amount of effort to make sure some routine instrument check goes - as she would if that airplane was fragged to bail out a Marine rifle platoon pinned down outside Chu Lai. We take kids off the farm and engender that committement.

Somehow, over the years the Air Force manages to pull that off. And it is not done with systems and programs, it is done by the continuing evolution – next generation Watsons and Murphys! Reorganize all you want - leadership, that is where maintenance capability comes from.

1. Is the original focus of MOA still valid?

I been asked several times in past months what I thought of the MOA-to-LOA transition. Well, first of all I am not sure I am qualified to respond, having been out of the loop and out of touch for a number of years. I would also suggest that the time has long passed to be debating whether MOA-to- LOA is/was good. What would appear to me to be far more relevant are the challenges facing LOA in the future. Given the inevitable crunch years that are coming with the USAF maintenance re-organization initiatives, I suspect we need to re-focus on aircraft maintenance officers once again. Depending on who is telling the story, the base-level senior maintenance officer pool is diminished, depleted, or non-existent. And consistent with the Gospel According to Matthews (that’s me), this pool IS our

2. Is LOA’s focus consistent, at least, with the original MOA thrust?

3. What does LOA intend to do to assist the USAF in getting over the base-level maintenance officer experience shortfall hump?

Assuming that LOA wants to be more than just a social organization, the real relevance of the organization is what it adds to the Air Force. It’s not even as simple as the ‘part of the problem or part of the solution’ dilemma. What can LOA add? If you are not, as an organization, stepping up to the plate on relevant issues you become irrelevant by definition. And such organizations don’t die, they just wither away from, at least perceived, irrelevance.

Larry Matthews and Col Rick Dugan

I thank you for your kind hospitality shown this week to the founders and for the chance to talk with you today. I wish you well in your future endeavors. And will leave you with one final thought to ponder.

- No matter what happens, somebody will find a way to take it too seriously.

Oh yes, and use sunscreen. Thank You! Lt Col (Ret) Larry Matthews was the founding President of the Maintenance Officer Association (MOA). He can be reached at lmatthews@casedesign.com.

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LOA: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow Gen (Ret) George T. Babbitt Two weeks ago Joanne Rodefer called. She said she had a “big” favor to ask. I thought, no problem, how “big” could it be? She said one of the speakers for the LOA Conference was unavailable and they were looking for a replacement.

Now I’m beginning to worry a little, so I ask, where in the agenda do you need a speaker? That’s when she dropped the bomb. She needed a replacement for the banquet speaker.

I knew who that was supposed to be. Like many of you, I was looking forward to hearing the SECDEF speak. I anticipated his presentation would be the highlight of the conference.

So, Joanne, I Say, you want me to stand up and talk when everyone is anticipating the SECDEF? Won’t that lead to a riot? Won’t we all be pummeled by fruit and vegetables?

She assured me that wouldn’t happen. Rick Dugan said everyone would be asked to check their weapons at the door. So it’s with those assurances I stand before you.

I’ll be brief and hope that you will all be

We were just completing a change in the wing organizational structure, the focus of which was aircraft maintenance.

Although we were all line officers, there was a distinction between opportunities for rated and non-rated officers. Looking back, it’s clear, we all felt the difference was real. The debate among maintenance officers, however, was how to react to the differences in career opportunities.

Along come ten influential Air Force maintenance officers with an idea to form an association to advance professionalism in aircraft maintenance. It took off. All of a sudden, debates that had been limited to Friday night at the Club burst into the open. The newsletter became an internet newsgroup of its time. The letters to the editor column literally sizzled.

LOA has traditionally focused on logistics inside the wing.

Let’s not lose that, but let’s expand our sweep to the operational and strategic levels of military logistics.

patient. But if I notice any restlessness, I bought along a prop that I’ll use in hopes of calming the masses. Let’s try it now. (At this point in the briefing, Gen Babbitt (Ret) holds up a picture of Mr. Rumsfeld on a stick in front of his face - the audience roars with laughter!)

That wasn’t too bad. Just remember, If I put this up you’re supposed to laugh and think kindly of old Babbitt standing up here instead of Donald Rumsfeld.

Mark Roddy was the source of tonight’s topic - LOA: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. I like that. After all, this is a 20-year anniversary. It’s appropriate to do a little reflection and a little crystal ball gazing. Matthews talked about the origins of MOA. He’s the authority because he was the one with the courage and commitment to make something happen. But once he took that action, it began to effect maintenance officers all over the Air Force. I was a non-rated Lieutenant Colonel maintenance officer in 1982, and it was nearly impossible not to have an opinion about the merits of MOA. The official history was written by MOA’s officers, but unofficially, history was being written in the minds of every maintenance officer in every wing in the Air Force.

The issues of the early ‘80’s were strongly felt and hotly debated.

Maintenance squadrons throughout the Air Force suffered from lack

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of resources and were undermanned. MC rates were low and sortie taskings were high.

MOA didn’t create the debate. MOA provided the forum for the debate. It allowed the USAFE guys to debate with the PACAF and TAC guys. It allowed the bomber and fighter and airlift guys to see that they didn’t always share a common view of the problems or the solutions.

Now let me tell you something that all the old guys here know, but some of the younger members may not know. The debates in those early newsletters were occasionally so heated that it led some people, myself included, to hold back from joining. You have to understand, there were more than a few extremely talented, dedicated and hardworking maintenance officers who had had their advice rejected by wing leadership, had watched fleet status deteriorate, had seen their people overworked to the point of abuse, and had seen their own careers limited because they objected. They were bitter and they were not shy about saying so.

I worried that bitterness, which was persuasive, would become the dominant theme of MOA. I was wrong. I can’t tell you when or how, but somewhere along the way, the forum gained balance. The topics of Ops and Maintenance continued to be debated, but many other important topics began to appear. Of the many, the most important new topic was the need for and the methods to train, mentor and encourage young officers. Somewhere along the line, MOA became what its founders intended it to be.

From my perspective, that’s when yesterday ended and today

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began.

(Gen Babbitt puts the mask up in front of his face) Everyone still OK? So how can we describe LOA today? One way is to look at how things have changed. I thank Jim Maher, LOA Historian, for providing a number of interesting tid-bits. nd

• The 2 annual convention, the first one for which we have data was considered a rousing success. Seventy members attended. This year’s convention is being attended by 620 members; 920 attended one or more events.

• The original MOA dues were $20 per year. This year we paid $25. Pretty good value, eh?

tant to the support of military weapons systems. Over time, LOA has built a bridge with industry. Many current members work in the private sector. The resulting cross-fertilization of ideas has been valuable to both sides.

How should we assess LOA today? Well it has grown steadily in membership. It’s expanded its reach to include every aspect of military logistics. It has focused on officer development and been rewarded with a healthy membership of young officers. It serves as a bridge to industry, and it regularly attracts senior leadership from DoD at its annual convention. (Again, Gen Babbitt puts up the mask to his face.)

I’d say LOA is at the peak of its game.

Gen Babbitt: an engaging speaker on his own...

• In 1987, MOA changed its by-laws to encourage local chapters. That savvy move has probably done more than anything else to encourage mentoring and membership of young officers.

So where will it go in the future? That’s the tough question. Will LOA members bask in the glory of their success and fade off into the future? Or will LOA continue to evolve to face new challenges and new issues?

• The original “ER”, although revolutionary, was a meager little publication with an obviously amateur look about it. Today’s impressive periodical has a clearly professional look as does its companion website.

• Membership was initially limited to Air Force Aircraft Maintenance Officers. In 1992 that expanded to Comm/Electronics Maintenance Officers and to Maintenance Officers of other services.

Twenty years of growth in size and influence.

I’m sure you can anticipate my answer.

Naturally, it’s the latter course and that brings us near the end of this talk. But before I close, let’s discuss for a minute what tomorrow may hold.

...or with friends.

• 1999 saw the most significant change as MOA members voted to include candidates from all the logistics disciplines and to change the name of the organization to the Logistics Officer Association.

• Here’s an important change in 2000, the last year for which we have a detailed analysis complete of the membership roles, company grade officers made up 35% of the members. That’s over double their representation in May 1982.

• And how’s this for an indication of growth and success. The May 1982 roles, according to our Historian, showed 128 loyal members.

Today that number is over 2000 and growing.

LOA today is a vital organization with an enthusiastic membership.

Through its publication, website, convention and local chapter meetings, LOA drives debate and discussion on topics most impor-

I think we all believe the original core issues remain as vital today as they were yesterday. Professionalism in aircraft maintenance is every bit as topical today as in 1982. Let’s not lose that from our charter.

But also important is professionalism in all the disciplines that make up logistics. LOA is big enough to add these to its charter.

LOA has traditionally focused on logistics inside the wing. Let’s not lose that, but let’s expand our sweep to the operational and strategic levels of military logistics.

Tomorrow’s world is a much smaller place because of technology, mobilization and deployment have become, for today’s combat commander, what battlefield maneuver and replenishment were to yesterday’s corps commander. And yet mobilization and deployment concepts and doctrine have changed little in the last twenty years.

Are these not topics LOA should debate? Should LOA members not aspire to lead in this aspect of military affairs? The future will tell.

Continued on Page 14 The Exceptional Release, 20th Anniversary Edition

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Continued from Page 13 Business and military processes overlap in places. More often that not that overlap occurs in what we know as logistics. The goals are sometimes different, but the tools and methods developed in industry can often be highly effective when properly adapted to the military objective.

LOA has already been used as a forum for these debates. Should they continue? Should LOA members be seen as leaders in the attempt to improve military logistics by adopting the best industry has to offer? Should LOA members be known as the group best able to help translate and transform commercial solutions into military tools? The future will tell?

ready for combat at any time, must be regularly used for training of small units and joints operations, and must be constantly adapted to the changing threats we face.

What is the role of the military logistician in that environment? Will we simply make mistakes and try to learn from them? Or will we try to distill from our experience of the last twenty years, those things that are truly the essence of successful weapon system support, regardless of the technology at hand? Only the future will tell.

My track record as a futurist has not been good over the years. So I highly recommend you discount the specifics of any of my ramblings. But even without a crystal ball, I can suggest a course of action for LOA that I will stand behind.

We serve the Air LOA is the only Air Force. That name Force focused organiCol Dugan thanks Gen Babbitt for zation that has consisalone seems to define his inspiring words. our purpose - airtently debated and planes. But I caution advocated improved you all not to be totalsupport of Air Force ly captured by that Weapon Systems and thought. Since the professional developearly years of our instiment of the officers tution, advocates of responsible for this airpower have been vital function. technologists. For 50 There will be no years or more the Air shortage of complex Force has been at the systems and systemscenter of a movement of-systems in the that believed that future. Maintaining technology could be the readiness of those applied to the probsystems will require a lem of defending dedication and trained America and that tracore of officers. Over ditional force-on-force the last twenty years engagements were MOA and LOA have shown what value a professional association not always necessary to resolve conflict. Technology has revolucan offer by providing a forum for debate and cross-pollination of tionized (more than once) military intelligence, surveillance, reconideas. naissance, speed, range, endurance, precision, and firepower.

Aeronautics and astronautics formed the basis of much of that LOA members, let’s learn from, and celebrate our past. But let’s development. But who could deny the importance of electronics, focus on our role in the future. Be thoughtful and be bold. Stay and the many technologies that have grown out of the wide-spread focused on the goal. Most important, participate in the debate. use of computers. Communication networks now promise the pos- That’s what LOA members have done for the last twenty years. The sibility of distributed, semi-autonomous platforms, integrated opportunity for leadership is there for the taking. through such networks to perform military functions in ways and in timeframes that were previously impossible.

In such an environment the demands placed on military logisticians do not stand still. Disciplined aircraft maintenance will continue to be critically important but it will also prove to be just one of many critically important issues. A whole array of new capabilities built using a multitude of old and new technology, must be maintained

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I thank you and so does Mr. Rumsfeld. (mask). I’m proud to be a member of LOA and proud of the opportunity to speak to you tonight. Keep ‘em flying!

Gen Babbitt is currently a consultant for KPMG. He held senior logistics positions as Commander of Air Force Materiel Command, Director of the Defense Logistics Agency and Deputy Chief of Staff for Installations and Logistics, HQ USAF.

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It’s what it takes to keep you flying. Visit us at: lmalc.external.lmco.com

Logistics Support for the Joint Warfighter Gen John P. Jumper, CSAF Welcome/Intro Good Afternoon… it’s a pleasure to once again speak before your association. I was honored to speak with you two years ago in Phoenix.

I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate LOA on 20 years of excellence as an organization dedicated to enhancing the military logistics professional.

Twenty Year Look Back

given all we have learned about the expeditionary world we’ve lived in over the past decade?

If we are to continue to deploy as packages into expeditionary wings as part of Joint Task Forces, are we organized at home the way we should be?

If we are to continue to deal with aging weapons systems, are we growing the right kind of focused maintainer to deal with these systems?

If the trends of the last decade continue to dictate that we deploy

A lot has happened in 20 years.

•Twenty years ago Maj Zettler was fixing F-15s at Bitburg AB Germany

rapidly into tent cities on bare or ill-prepared bases, are we growing the kind of support personnel who understand all that is needed to pick up a unit, get it there, and sustain it?

•I was a Lt Col transitioning from being a PME student to becoming the Chief of Safety at Nellis AFB

The three hardest things we do in the Air Force today are fly, fix,

•And a young Captain Rick Dugan (LOA President) was completing his Education with Industry tour at Eastern Airlines.

I believe that flying and fixing our weapons systems are essential

•Today Bitburg is closed and Eastern Airlines is out of business… I’ll let you draw your own conclusions…

and launch our weapons systems—especially old weapons systems skill sets, along with mission support. Each requires PhD-level expertise, proficiency and leadership

Recognize LOA Achievements

This level of proficiency is only possible if we allow our leaders to develop great depth in their specific fields

In contrast to Eastern Airlines fate, 10 maintenance officers boldly

Today in the Operations Group who does the maintenance officer

put together an association in 1982 that has grown beyond their expectations…over 2,100 members today and still growing. Gang, that’s something to be proud of!

look up to as a role model for where he or she can aspire to? The fact is there isn’t anyone in the Ops Group that can fill this role. In fact for the maintenance officer the top job is in a different group and you have to ask permission from the OG/CC to go out on the flight line to be around the very planes you loved to maintain…what’s up with that???

I’m also proud to hear that you’re giving back to the Air Force community through your scholarship program. A total of $25K to 15 recipients in just 3 years.

Helping our enlisted force achieve a higher education only makes our Air Force a better place and you can be justifiably proud our your successful program

Combat Wing Organization

It is for this reason that we’re transitioning into a new Combat Wing Organization designed to fully develop commanders with specific functional expertise to successfully plan and execute air and space power as part of expeditionary units.

The Operations Group will continue to focus on the skills of tacti-

I want to first discuss an issue I’m sure is foremost on your minds today, the Combat Wing Organization. Right up front I want to say that I was not captured by a group of maintenance officers and corerced into making these changes. You know Genreal officer’s can have original thoughts too…I’ve had my list of things I want to change in the Air Force since I was a Captain…

People are working hard to make our weapons systems work, and

cal employment that make ours the greatest Air Force in the world.

The group and squadron commanders will be leaders in the air and on the ground—role models, ready to lead the first missions into combat.

The planning, training, and employment of our combat forces are fundamental core competencies and require the undivided attention of our operational commanders.

the successes of the past 12 years (since winning the cold war) tell us that we can organize for success in many ways

The Maintenance Group will maintain the health of our aging fleets

Many questions arise: Are we organized as smart as we could be,

balanced with the need to produce the sorties that help win wars.

This is a core competency that requires focus and proficiency.

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Commanders within the Maintenance Group will be responsible for

Today when the deployment order hits the base you can find a line

the full spectrum of base-level weapon system maintenance and to produce sorties at the designated rates

longer than most DC traffic jams leading up to the computer of the one Senior Airmen who understands the JOPES system. We need leaders who understand this process and can improve it.

Units within the maintenance organization will continue to be identified with, located with, and deployed with the operational squadron they support.

This will include slices of maintenance organizations such as munitions, component, and equipment maintenance designated to deploy with specified units.

They will wear the colors of that squadron and will continue to interface on a daily basis with the scheduling and detailed integration of that squadron’s activities.

The Maintenance Group commander is expected to be the role model to maintainers just as the Operations Group commander is to the operators.

Recent events have clearly focused us not only on sustaining home base capabilities, but also on rapidly employing our weapon systems and establishing our operational presence anywhere in the world.

Readying the wing for this expeditionary challenge will fall largely on

Some of the feedback I’ve heard from folks in the logistics community highlights a concern over moving Supply & Transportation into the Mission Support Group instead of leaving it in the Maintenance Group.

In an expeditionary context the Maintenance Group Commander needs to be focused on one thing…generating sorties for the Combatant Commander

I don’t need that person worried about getting tent city set up, distributing bottled water, or getting vehicles out of WRM That’s why I have the Mission Support Group Commander. They will be the technical expert on expeditionary support requirements.

Our Combat Wing Organization will allow us to grow leaders with the depth of experience and expertise needed to plan and execute in the full spectrum of deployment, combat planning, execution, and sustainment

the professionals in our new Mission Support Group.

Although the reorganization is called the Combat Wing

This group merges the current Support Group with the Logistics

Organization this is not just about the wings that fly— every unit in the Air Force supports our Air Expeditionary Force in some way.

Readiness, Contracting, and Aerial Port Squadrons as applicable.

Here is where we will hone the expeditionary skills of: Crisis Action planning Force protection Load planning

Over the next several months, we will identify the way ahead for increased training opportunities for leaders of these new groups.

I’ve heard from some operators talking about “losing” their maintainers and others who think this is not the way we will deploy and fight. This is simply not true.

When I was a squadron commander there was an Aircraft

Communications

Bare base preparation

Maintenance Unit (AMU) attached to my squadron. I didn’t command the AMU. The officer in charge of the AMU was trained by the colonel who ran the maintenance organization. This colonel had been in the business of maintaining airplanes for 24 years he was the kind of leader maintenance officer’s looked up to and wanted to become just like him.

Munitions and fuels site planning

When the squadron deployed, there was no doubt that the AMU

Personnel readiness

would come under my command, but that AMU had been trained by someone who knew the fixing business as well as I knew the flying business.

In-transient visibility Reception Contracting actions

Contingency bed down

Contingency bed down will include such areas as falling in on an existing expeditionary wing or group, weapon storage, tent city administration, and integrating with a contingency theater’s supply system. We are just beginning to develop this skill set.

The spectrum of skills required to be a proficient mission support commander already exists, but in unrelated elements.

These skill sets need to honed to ensure our ability to operate globally

The Combat Wing Organization is very similar to the organization that was in place between 1978 and 1991.

It is the organization that brought us Mission Capable rates greater than 90% in Desert Storm and it works!

Our operators have not flunked maintenance — we aren’t fixing something that’s broke, we are making it better.

Continued on Page 18

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Continued from Page 17 AEF

board our aircraft.

To fully understand the CWO you need to focus on the Air Force being expeditionary. Everything you do must be thought of in that context. Let me take a few moments to discuss AEF. •To make the AEF work and reduce the burden on our people the whole AF needs to transition into a sustainable rhythm •Wing Commanders need to be looking at slides everyday during stand up detailing the status of all aspects of the units readiness to support the AEF •We are formalizing the reporting process where Wing Commanders will report to their numbered AF commanders the status of their people who are responsible to be trained and ready for the next deployment

Today Link 16 sits low on the priority list for the various weapon systems that it can be installed on because there is no advocacy within these different systems When the task force champion looks at the “effects – based” capabilities they require, Link 16 becomes the number one priority to achieve the task force goals and each system must now fund this.

F/A-22 As Air Force professionals you must fully understand the capabilities the F/A-22 weapon system brings to the Joint warfighter so you can help articulate our position and be an advocate for the F/A-22. Most people understand the F/A-22’s air-to-air role, but few are aware of the tremendous air-to-ground role.

F/A-22’s: •Incorporates supercruise and stealth capabilities with the small diameter bomb, capable of flying out 45-50 miles, to defeat the advanced enemy defenses like the SA 10,12, and 20s and you have a true “kick down the door” capability

•We are deepening our AEF libraries with members of HQ staff’s and PME schools The whole Air Force has to focus on preparing for the next deployment or contingency. The center of our lives needs to be that thought process rather than the day-today process of home operations.

•Enables 24/7 stealth ops by providing protection not only for itself, but also for the B-2 and the F-117, bringing stealth into the daytime for the very first time

OEF does equal AEF. We didn’t suspend the AEF when we kicked off OEF, nor will we in future contingencies. The AEF is where we’ll dip into first to supply the Combatant Commander’s with forces.

•Supports the Joint Warfighter by protecting naval assets in the littorals as well as ground forces deployed deep behind enemy lines

Organizational change is only one aspect of the AEF’s Transformation. We are also looking to harness this country’s technological advantage to provide us with asymmetric advantage over future adversaries.

•Provides freedom of access for follow-on forces to operate unimpeded •Forces our adversaries to do things differently to defeat us and that costs them lots of money and time

PPBS & CONOPS Task Forces We are changing the way we do programming, planning and budgeting within the Pentagon

Our F/A-22 is a cornerstone of any antiaccess scenario

Multi-mission Aircraft

We have developed a Capabilities-Based CONOPS that focuses on outcomes, not weapons systems. Within the CONOPS we have created six task forces; Global Strike, Global Response, Global Mobility, Homeland Defense, Space &C2ISR, Nuclear Response

One of the initiatives we’ve recently started is looking at a single platform that can accomplish many of our C4ISR roles.

Each of these task forces will have a task force champion who I want to control the funds for those programs underneath the task force

We’re also looking at taking our aerial refueling aircraft and adding additional capability to them. They are always in theater whenever we employ airpower and we are testing a capability to put a pallet on the aircraft that can be used to relay data between satellites, and aircraft.

This new process will eliminate problems like getting Link 16 on

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AOC Changes We need to move away from the tribal mentality within the AOC that is stove-piped today. When information enters the AOC it comes to a tribal workstation where a representative takes the information and translates it into their hieroglyphics before sending it on where another tribal representative interprets the data and puts it into their hieroglyphics before passing it to another tribal representative.

We need to integrate this process and get out of the stove pipes and tribal hieroglyphics. The first 7000 miles of this process are a miracle, the last 20 feet a disaster…

OEF Our efforts in Afghanistan have been exceptional. The things we’re doing over there are incredible.

General Curtis LeMay would roll over in his grave at the thought of using B-52’s for Close Air Support. We have personnel like TSgt Linehardt who are riding on horseback calling in precision guided weapons to the target. We have more folks living in tents than any other service involved in OEF. The insertion of the Marines by our air mobility forces into central Afghanistan was the deepest insertion of their troops in USMC history.

We’ve had our share of heros, such as SrA Jason Cunningham, who was killed on Roberts Ridge performing his duties as a PJ. His efforts to treat the wounded on that hill saved the lives of 10 soldiers before he succumbed to his own mortal wounds. Next week I will present his widow, Cadet Theresa Cunningham, with the Air Force Cross.

Close I want to thank you for your efforts on behalf of our Air Force and our nation…the American people depend on us.

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From MOA to LOA - 20 Years o Lt Col James Hannon and Lt Col James Hall Tonight we celebrate the Logistics Officer Association’s 20th Anniversary, here in the National Capital Area, “Where it all Began”. As part of the festivities we thought it’d be appropriate to show how this great organization has grown over the past 20 years. So, sit back and enjoy as we take you on a journey, “From MOA to LOA - 20 Years of Logistics Excellence”.

sion by improving the maintenance world and providing an and maintenance officer professional development.

These ten visionary leaders… Col Charles Cunningham Murphy, Bill James, and Majors John Covi, Dave Csintyan, R … created the Maintenance Officer Association.

Let’s go back to 1982, the early 80s were a time of turmoil and transition, driven by a major

Their vision resonated so well in the maintenance commu

reduction in force during the late 70’s. This drawdown affected not only personnel, but also weapon system procurement, spares funding, and training. As many of you may well remember, this RIF created personnel challenges and personal uncertainties for maintainers. Many of our most experienced maintenance officers were forced to leave the Air Force. The resulting hollow force, left leaders grappling with how to re-posture Air Force logistics to support an aging fleet with fewer parts, less people, and reduced funding. In the field, maintainers had to be creative in filling the gaps to generate sorties and sustain readiness with little or no training. As you might imagine, most loggies struggled with doubts about the future viability of logisticians. Issues such as:

expanded to 6 regions, encompassing 3 major commands of the organization we’ve become today.

Building this organization from scratch was no easy task. had the conviction, determination, and initiative to carry M inaugural MOA conference in Nov 1983. Management and of our own” were some of the key topics discussed. The fir

•“Should I gain expertise in my primary field… or broaden into another logistics area?”

•“Do I have a FAIR shot at command or an equal opportunity to attend in-residence PME?” •“Where are the guideposts for my career?” “Who are my role models, and where are my mentors?”

It was difficult for a maintainer to EVEN ENVISION a role model or mentor because they were so few and far between.

cles on Maintenance Productivity and Combat Oriented M

As MOA celebrated its fourth birthday, change was sweep the last president of the Soviet Union and the cold war be we strike back at Libya in Operation Eldorado Canyon. T Iraq stop fighting and decide to play nice for now, just fou sandbox. Millions watch their TVs in horror as the Challen

The worst nuclear disaster in history occurs as Chernoby Tiananmen Square. The Berlin wall finally falls and the US re who can forget Ollie North and the Iran Contra scandal?

With this as a backdrop, it’s easy to understand why 10 maintainers sat down at the Bolling O’Club and created a professional organization, committed to enhancing the Air Force mis-

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And within this storm the Department of Defense was tra the Services to play better together by integrating combat

s of Logistics Excellence ding an open forum to promote quality logistics support ngham, Lt Cols Larry Matthews, Jay Bennett, Frank ntyan, Robert Druewitt, John Edenfield, and Dave Miller community, that by the end of the first year, MOA had mands including 50 charter members… the forefathers y task. But Lt Col Larry Matthews, our first President, carry MOA through its first year…culminating with the ent and maintenance officer training, as well as a “badge The first MOA Newsletter was also published with arti-

the establishment of three Joint commands… US Transportation Command, US Space Command, and US Central Command. The dividends of the Reagan buildup began to mature and the AF fielded new weapon systems such as the B-1B Lancer, F-117 Nighthawk, Peacekeeper missile, and C-21, and the television, infrared guided, one bad hummer, you can’t hide from us GBU -15 precision munition. With all this new steel and rubber on the ramp logistics support was expanding and becoming more diverse. These additional support requirements prompted the need for a logistics revolution.

We needed a dynamic change agent …and Lt Gen Leo Marquez was the perfect fit. An officer with the charisma, expertise, and moxie needed to lead AF logistics into the future.

Marquez captured this best when he said: “Tomorrow’s logistician must have a much better, more complete understanding of the entire flow of our logistics process. No longer can we afford to build discreet specialists in maintenance, or munitions, or supply, or transportation.” nted Maintenance — these issues are still alive today.

Although spoken over 17 years ago, those words are still true today. And with the advent

sweeping the international arena. Gorbachev becomes war begins to thaw. Global terrorism is on the rise and nyon. The Soviets withdraw from Afghanistan Iran and ust four year’s later US troops are headed back to the Challenger explodes.

of the Logistics Readiness Officer, they have finally become a reality. There was vigorous debate over how to reorganize enlisted maintenance specialties as proposed in rivet workforce and reliability and maintainability concerns that are still on the scope today.

ernobyl melts down. China struggles for democracy at e US removes Manual Noriega from Panama. At home, andal? was transforming. The Goldwater Nichols Act directed combat capability in a Joint Force structure. This led to

The newsletter blossomed into a more comprehensive logistics magazine entitled the Exceptional Release – a connotation signifying that MOA was fully mission capable and ready for take-off. Lt Col’s Reggie Jones, Ray Reed, and Brian Grady, were the leaders that nurtured the organization through it’s early years. As Marquez’s thoughts peculated through the maintenance community, there was heated debate over weather or not MOA should include other loggies as members

Continued on Page 22

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Continued from Page 21 The changing complexion of the New World Order precipitates a

ingrains a new vision of warfare in the American psyche… and will have lasting implications on future operations.

re-vector in National defense posture, from forward-deployed garrisons to a global engagement strategy. Internationally, the Soviet Union crumbles and democracy begins to spread across the eastern block republics… However, all is not well. After years of communist oppression, these fledgling republics were having difficulties with self-governance. As the iron curtain falls, freedom breaks the chains of bondage and Apartheid is abolished in South Africa. Meanwhile in South West Asia trouble is brewing. Re-opening the wounds of a border dispute, Saddam Hussein invades Kuwait in an attempt to reclaim oil-rich land that he believes is Iraqi sovereign territory. This marshals in the largest US military buildup since Vietnam. America sends in 500 thousand troops to defend Kuwait and Saudi Arabia Resulting in Operation Desert Shield and the beginning of the Gulf War. A new era in warfare ensues as AIR POWER proves to be decisive in halting aggression and turning back the enemy.

Within this maelstrom of change the Air Force restructures as Gen

Advances in technology shape the battlefield… this God’s Eye view results in nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. The F117 stealth fighter emerges from its bat cave and under the shadowy cloak of night delivering precision munitions directly into Saddam backyard…

And the lights go out in Baghdad. In less than 45 days the formidable Iraqi military is reduced to a withering retreating pile of smoldering rubble strewn across the desert from Kuwait and Baghdad.

This quick, decisive victory, with minimal loss of life on our side,

Merrill McPeak introduces his ONE BASE, ONE WING, ONE BOSS concept. The DCM goes away and the Logistics Group is born, bringing all logistics disciplines under one roof. RIF once again raises its ugly head and downsizing is back with a decrease in the number of squadrons and elimination of entire air divisions. A round of BRAC closes numerous bases. We retire the F111, F-4, A-7, OV10 and SR71 … and bring on new platforms like the Predator, E8, B-2 and C-17. AFLC and AFSC combine into AF Material Command.

SAC, MAC, and TAC stand down, and Air Combat and Air Mobility Commands form. Some of you SAC trained killers may remember the Strategic Air Command motto… “To err is human, to forgive is NOT SAC policy.” AF logisticians are deployed across the globe, providing humanitarian assistance, peacekeeping ops, and support for those trying to keep Saddam in his box. One of the key leaders steering logistics thru this storm of change was General George Babbitt and his insightful remarks this evening on MOA heritage are still fresh in our minds.

Meanwhile back at the MOA Ponderosa… the feud over changing MOA to LOA is spreading like a Texas wild fire. Don Wetekam, Mark Roddy, Mike Zettler, and Mike Zorich – all with us tonight — were the seasoned trail bosses keeping the unruly MOA heard headed in the right direction. A few of them dooggies were getting’ a little spooked over being seared with a LOA brand. As Loggies gathered around the campfires, Lean Logistics, Objective Wing Structure, Two-Level Maintenance and Log Air were hot topics of discussion. And, through it all, the ER continued to evolve, expanding to a full color quarterly that captured the growth of the organization and provided timely commentaries, hard-hitting features, and valuable insights on logistics.

As we close out the 20th century, the changing world stage presents new challenges prompting an evolution in Air Force deployment strategy. The Atomic Genie escapes from the lamp as Pakistan

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and India conduct nuclear tests. Two US embassies in Africa are bombed. The NATO coalition embarks on the air war over Serbia.

We all prepared for Y2K’s impending doom, which fizzled out with the last fireworks on New Years Day. In Yemen, suicide terrorists blast a gaping hole in the USS Cole.

Commander in Chief’s words “We will not tire, we will not falter, we will not FAIL!” And, WE WILL NEVER FORGET. As our nation rallied together in a bond of patriotism, we took up the fight defending freedom against terrorism… launching operations, Noble Eagle, and Enduring Freedom.

While we were deploying troops to take the fight to the Taliban, the mission was still being accomplished at home, despite the lower number of airmen available. Noble Eagle was really an in-place deployment…

“We should never forget the 11,000 airmen who supported Noble Eagle and kept their bases running… That’s a major operation. I really think Noble Eagle could aptly be named ‘Sorties Over America’ because that’s what we were doing: flying sorties over America for Americans, providing air cover.” Lieutenant General Michael Zettler, DCS Installations & Logistics

A few months later, China and the US arm-wrestle over the return of an EP-3 and crew. The AF unveils its Expeditionary concept. AEF’s are packaged to provide tailored airpower, in rotational cycles, to enhance predictability and stability. The next generation of weapon systems are introduced including the F-22 Raptor, Joint Strike Fighter, UCAV, and Airborne laser. Airpower is used as the weapon of choice in Allied Force, and in a different strategic environment we see different results. During this expeditionary period, logistics moves to the forefront as an operational imperative, and agile combat support doctrine comes of age. The ensuing Chief’s Logistics Review, a comprehensive assessment of logistics, ushers in a change in AF base structure – the combat wing organization.

Transforming logistics for the 21st Century, Generals Hallen, Handy, and Zettler are the vanguards that push for improvements in business practices, industry bench marking, process improvement, and data automation. In this season of transformation, after years of debate, MOA completes its metamorphous becoming the Logistics Officer Association...LOA - Striking a cord with our fellow logisticians who welcome the opportunity to join ranks and membership explodes. As LOA grew, so did our site picture. Topics such as the merger of Supply, Trans, and Log Plans, Regional Supply Squadrons, and CIRF were now featured in the ER. Wrapping up the platinum anniversary, Presidents Richard Stocchetti, Jim Haas, a LOA legend, who is with us tonight, AND, last but not least, our current President, a gentlemen and a scholar, Mister “No Bill Too Small and No Sponsorship Too Big”, “Look guys, I ain’t gonna break the bank on this conference” Col … Doogie Howser… I mean Rick Dugan.

Enduring Freedom took us to some of the most austere places on the planet and within days, turned them into thriving, forward deployed air power installations. Complete with hot meals, warm bunks, recreation centers, mail services, and more. During OEF, we flew over 30K sorties achieving a near perfect 99.8 sortie generation rate, delivering a dose of Good ole’ American WHOOP-ASS in OBL’s backyard cave! Many LOA members here tonight were the on the front lines in Nobel Eagle and Enduring Freedom making Logistics happen through sweat and ingenuity They have written the Logistics Legacy in the annals of Air Force history Woooooo, I don’t know about you, but in my mind, that’s a lot to have accomplished in 20 years. But we made it. And here we are tonight, over 550 loggies, from 61 Chapters representing 2100 members … and, growing. And to think that all of this started with 10 maintainers who just wanted to make a difference… and, oh what a difference they’ve made. Who knows what we can accomplish in the next 20 years?

A logistician’s creed is to expect the unexpected and prepare for the worst… but no one was prepared for 9/11. True to our

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Conference Highlights Icebreaker - hors devours, golf prizes, schmoozing, remeniscing...

The Lt’s have no problem striking a pose.

The older crowd is having trouble composing themselves for their photo op...

More putting for those who didn’t have enough on the golf course!

...now that’s more like it!

Col Mezzacappa: “Talk to the hands.”

Conference Highlights Compelling speakers, fascinating exhibits, and more!

Logistics was well represented...

DoD Navy Army Everyone’s attention was held - all the way up the chain!

Q&A was encouraged!

There was only one problem: so many great breakout sessions, so little time. How do we decide?

Air Force

Power lunching anyone?

The young officers dined together...

LOA’s leaders and sponsors...

Even our speakers were fascinated by the exhibits!

The 82nd Training Wing shows off their interactive exhibit again.

Mrs. Druyun inspects the ATTI exhibit.

Gen Lyles tries on new technology.

Lt Gen Lyles inspects the Alaska Structures tent.

Lt Gen Zettler tries out his short game.

The outgoing LOA Board gives the conference a thumbs up!

Maj Robinson, Col Sowinski, & Col Dugan make sure things stay on track.

Conference Highlights Conference banquet, panel discussion, and final thank yous...

The banquet was complete with an Honor Guard... ...scholarship winners...

...honoring scholarship donators... ...and bagpipes!...

A behind the scenes view of volunteers in the command post keeping the conference machine running.

...and lively dinner conversation.

The LOA Conference - a great opportunity to meet up with old friends.

Lt Col Reggie Hall & Maj Mike Moore thanks various members of the Hyatt Crystal City staff.

The panel discussion gives some punch to Friday’s schedule.

Lt Col Reggie Hall thanks outgoing LOA President Rick Dugan.

Speaking of old friends - the former LOA Treasurer and former LOA President reunite!

The Conference Committee chairman and Capital Chapter President smile because it is over!

A View from the Top Lt Gen Michael E. Zettler These slides were presented at the National Conference. For copies of all of the speakers’ notes, please contact Lt Col Hall at editor@loanational.org.

Spares: In FY 99, aircraft investment strategy provided fully-funded program for AFMC spares as well as a $904 M plus-up to handle bow-wave purchases and Kosovo contingency ops. Congress also appropriated add’l $500 M for DLA consumables over 4 years beginning in FY 01, and DLA earmarked $261 M of this for lowdemand/high-dollar AF line items which had been historically unfunded. These initiatives began the process of building back inventory levels of critical spares that had fallen short throughout the 1990s, and AF performance measures have been gradually improving since then. AFMC fully funded FY 99–FY 02.

HT-90 Mod modified HPT rotor and 1st stage nozzle assembly, with HPT replacements occurring during routine engine overhaul at depot. As of 31 May 02, only 9 engines removed for HPT failure in FY 02 versus 66 predicted by pre-mod historical data—translates into $74.1 M cost avoidance.

B-2 MC Rate Improvement Program (McRIP) eliminated LO restoration following jacking operations and engine/tailpipe removals by designing and installing new access panels sprayed with MagRAM material versus LO tape and caulking (which was labor intensive).

•FY 04-09 DPG states that overall end strength will not exceed FY02 levels (358.8K) • End strength was increased to 360K in FY03 PB •Primary drivers MH-53 support, AC-130 PAA plus up • AF currently programming to the FY03 PB level •• Post 9/11 total manpower requirement scrubbed and consider ably reduced • Reduced requirement primarily a result of relaxing FPCON B+ •• AF manpower requirements still significantly exceed programmed end strength

BOTTOM LINE: Increased readiness (proven in OEF) and higher MC rates, lower NMCS rates.

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In its most fundamental form, ACS generates mission capable weapons and weapon systems – providing the foundation for operational effect.

•Bottom line: Effects-based, capabilities-focused support of the AEF CONOPS

The AETF is scaleable and may includes a Maintenance Element and a Support Element

Maintenance Element Retention is measured by how many officers entering their 4th year of service will complete their 11th year of service given existing retention rates—referred to as cumulative continuation rate (CCR).

Tailored and task-organized from AEF capabilities. AETF forces must be able to operate and maintain a variety of systems, including support systems, with minimum sustainment requirements in austere conditions. The AETF requires the capability to: •Rapidly deploy right-sized packages of equipment, tools, spares and trained personnel •Operate with reduced sustainment requirements to minimize demands on lift •Be able to operate and maintain aircraft in a variety of environments from cramped aircraft shelters to unsheltered ramps, including CBN-contaminated areas

Support Element •Rapidly deploy and operate from forward and distant austere bases while simultaneously maintaining home station operations •Split Expeditionary Squadron operations between multiple deployed locations if required •Construct appropriate facilities to allow sustained, high-intensity combat operations •Repair and rebuild derelict, damaged or contaminated facilities to allow combat operations in minimum time •Accurately forecast consumables requirements and maintain visibility on deliveries world-wide The ACS CONOPS provides the combat support foundation consistent with the CSAF and AFC’s vision coming out of the RAND discussions on development of a Operational Task Forces and the foundational elements of ACS.

•Acquire and maintain levels of spares, munitions, POL, and consumables required to support AETF operations •In order to maintain a high operational tempo, AETFs must have organic force protection.

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Continued from Page 33

PAD: Mission Support Group. Mission support, in the expeditionary, rapid reaction, contingency-based Air Force of today, is a core competency. The Air Force will develop a career path for commanders who understand the full scope of home station employment/sustainment and deployment, beddown, and sustainment at contingency locations: Crisis Actions, UTC preparation, load planning, communications and information, enroute visibility, reception, bare base/tent city preparation, munitions site planning, expeditionary combat support, etc.

This is just one example of our change…the point here is not that we’re shaped differently…it’s the ideas behind the moves that are important

CSAF Sight Picture May 02: Recent events have clearly focused us not only on sustaining home base capabilities, but also on rapidly employing our weapon systems and establishing our operational presence anywhere in the world. This expeditionary capability will fall largely on the professionals in our new Mission Support Group. This group merges the current Support Group with the Logistics Readiness, Contracting, and Aerial Port Squadrons as applicable. Here is where we will hone the expeditionary skills of crisis action planning, force protection, load planning, communications, in-transient visibility, reception, contracting actions, bare base preparation, munitions and fuels site planning, personnel readiness, and contingency bed down. These skill elements need to be brought together as a core competency as we are tasked to operate large support functions which in some cases are not associated with deployed Air Force operational units.

Operations Group •Plan, train, and execute air & space power at the tactical and operational levels of war

Maintenance Group •Balance sortie production and the health of our fleets

Mission Support Group •Focus on full scope of home station sustainment, deployment, beddown, sustainment, and recovery

Medical Group •Provide for fitness/health of our people

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MSG: Logistics Readiness Squadron Aerial Port Squadron Regional Supply Squadron

MXG: Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Maintenance Squadron Equipment Maintenance Squadron •The value of this log officer construct is that: •It preserves depth of expertise in these critical warfighting competencies to support the EAF by providing: •Carefully controlled crossflows

Component Maintenance Squadron Maintenance Operations Squadron Munitions Maintenance Squadron

•Progressive education •Defined training •Certification programs to track skills and qualifications and predictable career development • The link goes to a demographic Pool chart

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Chapter Updates

The Fuji Chapter - Yokota AB On 11 Jun 02, the Fuji Chapter met in a luncheon format, and were briefed on Contingency Contracting Officers (CCO) by the 374th Contracting Squadron. This highly critical logistics function, especially in a deployed environment, is crucial to mission success. Chapter members learned about the training process for CCO’s, their duties while deployed, and ended with highly interesting “testamonials” from Yokota CCO’s and their real-world deployment scenarios. Overall, it was an outstanding briefing that taught other Yokota LOA members the importance of this area of logistics support. A change in leadership saw Capt Jason Edelblute (5AF/SEW) move up to the President position and 1Lt Jared Still (374 CONS) assumed the Vice President position for the chapter.

Maj Richard Schwing, Outgoing President

The Wasatch Warriors Chapter - Hill AFB Greetings from the Hill Wasatch Warriors. The "best snow in the world" is falling and the ski resorts are open. Life can't get much better than this.

The Wasatch Warriors continue to be busy. Our fall schedule was completely booked with well attended activities. We started off September by sending 20 officers to the National LOA Conference in our nation's capital. All enjoyed the fantastic agenda, speakers and activities. The Hill LOA especially enjoyed the golf tournament where the Wasatch Warrior team showed off their west coast golf by winning first place. The Capital Chapter raised the conference standard once again. We can't wait to see what the Crossroads Chapter has in store for us in 2003.

Back in Utah, we held two events in October. Lt Col Warren Keithley, 75 SFS/CC spoke to our group about the challenges the Security Forces have been facing throughout this past year. His topics ranged from the SFs global commitments to the local 2002 Olympic efforts.

All the Wasatch Warriors turned out to attend the Second Annual LOA Combat Dining In on 18 October. Major Erin Ayles and his team put on a night to be remembered by all. The Combat Dining In was complete with an ATSO guide, dog tags, and an in processing line which included immunization (jello) shots. We awarded our first ever 2002 Hill AFB Logistics Officer of theYear awards. The winners were Maj Danny "Chip" Johnson (Senior), Capt Dave Dutcher (Mid-grade) and 1st Lt Chris Boring (Junior). Major General Wetekam, WR-ALC/CC was our guest speaker and shared with us his reply to the much publicized letter "Dear Boss, I quit" with his own motivating letter "Dear Boss, I'm staying".

The Wasatch Warriors held a record 3 events in November. First, Capt Chris Walters, 419 FW, gave LOA a tour of the tenant unit reserve fighter wing here at Hill AFB. Next, we held a Professional Education Board, where graduates of Air Force educational programs spoke about the pros and cons associated with their experiences. The members of the board included Maj John Kubinec and Capt Jay Alonzo (AFIP), Maj Dave Clayton (LCBP), Capt Mike Allison (AFIT), and Capt Shane Henderson (ALEET).

To top November off, the LOA traveled to Las Vegas for a professional development trip to Nellis.

Capt Jason "Gibby" Gibson organized a first rate tour of the Threat Training Facility, Red Flag operations, Indian Springs and the new F-22 facilities. He even managed to get the T-birds to perform for us. The Hill LOA group attended the AF Academy/UNLV game on Saturday and happily cheered on the Air Force to a 49-32 victory. Based on our on and off duty activities in Las Vegas, the Hill LOA endorses the National LOA Executive Council decision to hold the 2004 National Conference in Las Vegas. The Wasatch Warriors will be attending in force.

The Wasatch Warriors have an exciting line up for the next quarter. If you are traveling to Hill AFB, please join us at one of our activities.

You can check our schedule on our website maintained by webmaster extraordinaire, Capt David Wakefield.

Happy New Year and God Bless.

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MacDill AFB “Lightning” chapter hosted the Pratt and Whitney “Showcase of Mobility” on August 22 in the BX parking lot. This 18-wheel mobile exhibit features a high tech surround-sound theater and a 94 inch diameter PW4000 (un-cowled)jet engine. The display promotes the USAF Boeing 767 Tanker Replacement Program as well as the C-17 Globemaster III program. Thanks to Maj Gen (Sel) William Hodges (6 AMW/CC), Col David Sowinski (6 LG/CC), Col Barbara Jacobi (6 SPTG/CC) and Maj Michael Todd (LOA President) for supporting this function.

2 Lt John Harrison (Information Officer)

Showcase of Mobility tractor-trailer

Lt John Harrison thanks the Pratt & Whitney team for visiting MacDill.

The Vandenberg Chapter - Vandenberg AFB It's been a very busy year at Vandenberg with many successful launches on both the spacelift and ICBM flight test sides of the house.

However, due to several PCS moves in the last few months, including our senior advisor, the Vandenberg chapter had to take time to hold nominations and elections for new chapter board officers. The new officers are: President: Capt Rich Branson, 595 SG/LGQ Vice President: Capt Jeff Hunter, 576 FLTS/FTW Secretary: Capt Carlos Dalmau, 2 SLS/MAO Treasurer: 2Lt Kim Morris, 30 TRANS/LGTT Events Chair: 2Lt Will Thomas, 576 FLTS/FTGE Senior Advisor: Lt Col Scott Van Ness, 30 TRANS/CC

The new board is energized and looking forward to expanding our membership and providing a forum for discussing maintenance and logistics issues.

Capt Jefferey V. Hunter Vice President, Vandenberg LOA

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Chapter Updates

The Lightning Chapter - MacDill AFB

Chapter Updates

The Air Bridge Chapter - Dover AFB Dover plays host to: BRIGADIER GENERAL LOREN M. RENO, DIRECTOR OF LOGISTICS, HQ AMC (17 - 18 NOV 2002)

It was a day to remember for those who were fortunate enough to attend the LOA luncheon at Dover Air Force Base on November 18, 2002. The Logistic Officer Association, and the Air Bridge chapter at Dover, were honored to host Brigadier General Loren Reno, Director of Logistics HQ, AMC, Scott AFB, IL. Gen Reno spent the early part of the day touring logistics work areas around the base. For lunch, he met with the Dover Air Bridge chapter and imparted many words of wisdom to the young Logisticians, as well as seasoned veterans like Col Charles Smiley, MSG Commander and Col Maureen Cunningham, MXG Commander and LOA, Air Bridge chapter advisor.

Gen Reno started his remarks with a good-humored test for the young CGO’s. He quoted famous logisticians and great leaders throughout history like, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Winston Churchill, and Alexander “The Great”. Before revealing the originator of the famous quotes, the General called on the Company Grade Officers to identify them, rewarding correct answers with a coin. Making obvious to us the crucial role logistics has played throughout history, and how the realization of that fact has led to our present day role and function within a modern military. The whole point of this test was to stress the importance of reading, and studying the logisticians and leaders of the past, whereby learning from their experiences and enhancing day-to-day logistics productivity. More than once, Gen Reno made the statement that “Good Leaders are Good Readers.” In addition to logistics studies, he stressed that everyone read other sorts of literature such as history or inspirational material.

After setting the tone with a laid-back give and take environment, Gen Reno dove into the mentoring portion of his visit. The General focused on three main categories; the dynamic role of an LRO/MX officer within the new MSG and MXG construct, career development and education opportunities available to all AF officers, and lastly some insightful pointers on leadership.

With AF Wing reorganization in full swing, Gen Reno discussed the contrasting roles and perspectives of the young LRO/MX Officer. He noted that a young MX officer should look at the MXG Commander and aspire to “grow up” in his/her footsteps. Meaning that a MXG CC is an expert in the MX community and knows all the intricacies of what it takes to make the MX world go around.

In contrast, he said that a young LRO has a more dynamic role in the day-to-day life with-in the MSG. He pointed out that a young LRO couldn’t necessarily look at the MSG CC and follow his/her path to the top. In other words, most MSG CC’s have stove piped expert knowledge in their respective career fields and will have to rely heavily on the different squadron commanders and young CGO flight commanders, since there can be up to 8 different squadrons in the MSG.

Gen Reno then shifted gears and transitioned into career development and career broadening opportunities. The focal point being different educational programs that are out there and available to those who choose to pursue higher learning and broadening goals. He talked about many different programs such as; AFIT, EWI, ASAM, and LCBP. One in particular he recommended was the LCBP (Logistics Career Broadening Program). This program is available to mid/senior level Captains and is an outstanding way for logisticians to expand their knowledge base and expose themselves to one of three different Air Logistic Center’s in the AF. The general stressed that there is no set path for the logistician to attain a successful career. Each individual must choose the route that fits them best to include fields within logistics as well as options such as the aforementioned programs that are available.

Gen Reno wrapped up his mentoring session with some interesting and insightful hints on leadership. He stressed the importance of a good leader having the ability to “set the course”. Deciding what direction the unit needs to go and then leading them there. However, according to the General, even more important is “setting the pace”. In other words, once you know where you’re going, decide on the speed in which you need to travel to get there. Sometimes as the leader you will need to push your troops in order to get the desired performance, however, it can be just as important to know when to draw back on the reins and slow down the cart. The basis for his leadership theory is built on Quality, Training, Integrity, People, and Safety (QTIPS). This acronym is the building block by which he leads. The bookends of quality & safety are the key. Everything we do, as leaders need to fall within the spectrum of quality & safety.

Gen Reno made his closing remarks and said his goodbye’s to our chapter, ending a very informative and inspiring speech. To finish off the luncheon, the Air Bridge Chapter’s newly appointed president, Captain Brian Mayer, presented General Reno with thank you gift.

- Lt Richard Henderson, Information officer

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Please update the the leadership page (and pass on to other National LOA leadership, as appropriate) with the new Northern Lights Chapter Executive Board: Lt Col Gary Jandzinski (nominated by the sitting president and seconded by the entire board!) executed a flawless coup and took over as Chapter President on 1 Dec in an orderly transfer of power. No blood was shed, but several rounds (of beer) were expended Capt Alex Dubovik assumed the position of Vice President. Lt Leslie McDonough was (s)elected Secretary when her LRS squadron-mates nominated her (she ran uncontested—can you believe it!) We’ve left the treasurer vacant, since the treasury is empty anyway...and hey, to top it all off, we held the election in the bar!

Thanks, Jim Mullin Former President

The Air Capital Chapter - McConnell AFB We’ve had a very busy year. The Air Capital Chapter’s membership has more than doubled. The increased membership is a direct reflection of our dedicated chapter leadership. Our new leaders are: President: Major Steven Dorfman, Commander, 22 MXS Vice President: Major Mark See, Maintenance Supervisor, 22 AGS Secretary: Lt Theresa Fountain, Fuels Management Flight Commander, 22 SUPS Events Chairman: Lt Sam Aston, OIC, Procedures and Analysis, 22 SUPS Treasurer: Lt Jodi Krone, OIC, Maintenance Support Element, 22 SUPS

We took trips to OC-ALC/Tinker AFB, Oklahoma and the RSS at Scott. At OC-ALC, Tinker, we toured industrial shops, paint facilities, and engine test cells to name a few. Our visit resulted in a better understanding of depot production and assembly. At Scott AFB, we got a first hand look at what the RSS does — touring their computer operations, KC 135 operations, stock fund management, etc. What outstanding operations! Thanks to Tinker and Scott for the great experiences!

We’re constantly striving to stay current on the latest and greatest happenings. Lt Col Robert Hamm, 22 LG/CD, briefed us on his experiences while TDY to Tuzla, Bosnia and Major Charles Deckett always kept us abreast of the CLR, VML, and other vital processes.

All in all, it’s been a very productive year and we’re looking forward to the new challenges and rewards of the upcoming year.

The Texoma Chapter - Sheppard AFB Sheppard Air Force Base Logisticians gathered en masse (over 70 folks!) on 22 October 2002 to hear Lt Col Richard Schwing, 373TRS/CC and newly elected Chapter President, share his vision, goals, and personal perspective on “Deployment Lessons Learned.”

The meeting was an absolute success. Key highlights included the renaming of our chapter from simply Sheppard LOA to Texoma Chapter and a membership increase of nearly 25 percent. The ballroom was standing room only and overflowing with energy as Lt Col Schwing talked about partnering with local chapters in the tri-state area to capitalize on future professional development trips to corporate giants like Lockheed, Boeing, and American Airlines. Needless to say the newly revived Texoma Chapter has “taken it up a notch” and is ready to do great things for all Logisticians at Sheppard Air Force Base - stay tuned!

Our other new officers are: Vice President: Capt Jackie Chang, 360 TRS Secretary: 1Lt Rene Alaniz, 360 TRS Treasurer: Capt Chad Holt, 360 TRS v/r, 1st Lt Rene V. Alaniz, Secretary

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Chapter Updates

The Northern Lights Chapter - Elmendorf AFB

Chapter Updates

The Shogun Chapter - Kadena AB The Kadena Shogun Chapter recently visited the Defense Contract Management Agency-Korea operation recently at Kimhae AB near Pusan, Republic of Korea hosted by Lt Col Anthony Leppellere.

After a night in billeting at the Army’s Camp Hialeah in Pusan, we went on a terrific tour of Korean Air Lines (KAL) facilities as coordinated by Lt Col Leppellere’s staff. The group toured the F-15 and HH60G programmed depot maintenance lines at the KAL facility then toured KAL’s enormous commercial facility including the 747 PDM line, computer operated paint barn as well as their production and assembly lines. The visit was a unique opportunity to see a foreign owned and operated depot facility providing first-rate support to DOD customers from all branches of service.

After lunch with KAL’s gracious Kimhae site leadership, the group toured the only contingency hospital left in the military. The 500 bed “turn-key” or “steady-state” hospital on Kimhae AB is managed by 17 medical logisticians from the 51 MDG at Osan AB, ROK. Completely void of any patients, the equipment and all of the supplies required by a major hospital are ready for immediate use. Much of the equipment is under plastic covers to protect it until needed. The hospital can receive patients within hours of a contingency and be fully operational within 24 hours of a contingency.

Airlift for the visit was generously provided by the Kadena 909 ARS and the group was treated to an F-16 air refueling en route to Kimhae.

Capt William Ray

The Sonoran Chapter - Luke AFB We held Executive Board elections in October. The new leaders are President - Maj Mike Costello Vice President - Lt Brian Stelma Treasurer - Capt Tim Trimmell Secretary - Capt Brian Godfrey Reserve/Guard Liaison - Capt Greg Buckner

On behalf of the new board, I'd like to thank former board members Maj Doug Cato, Lt Denver Braa, and Lt Ray McPherson for their leadership and dedication over the past year.

Maj Mike Costello

The Guardians of the North Chapter - Minot AFB The Guardians of the North recently held elections. Here is the new line up: President: Lt Col Deb Kirkhuff, 91 MOS/CC, DSN 453-3632 VP: Maj Emil Kabban, 5 MUNS/CC, 6596 Secretary: Lt Mark Lahey, 91 MMXS/MMXGE, 3262 Treasurer: Lt George Ebert, 5 CONS/LGCB, 6367 Thank you. - Steve Shinkle, Lt Col, USAF

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In the summer of 2002, an election was held to elect new officers at the Davis-Monthan Chapter. The new officers are: President: Maj Paul “PJ” McAneny, 355 EMS/CC Vice President: Capt Louis Littleton, 612 SS/FOL Events Coordinator: Capt Phi-Anh Lutz, 355 EMS/MXMF Information Officer: Capt (sel) Anush Collins, 355 CONS/MSGCAC Treasurer/Membership Chair: Lt Matthew “Matt” Larson, 355 EMS/MXMWJ

In accordance with the new combat wing organizational structure we added the 355 MSG/CC as a third advisor. Our current LOA advisors are: Advisor: Col Carol King, 12 AF/LG Advisor: Col Sarah Smith, 355 MXG/CC Advisor: Col Timothy Fletcher, 355 MSG/CC

Our goals for this year are simple: •Rebuild the declining active membership from the ground-up and increase membership in the national organization as well.

•Meet monthly vs. quarterly with interesting guest speakers at every meeting.

•Take quarterly field trips both in the local area and locations in the southwest.

•Begin a quarterly professional reading club.

We were fortunate to have had the following guest speakers at our monthly luncheons: •Lt Col (now retired) Diane Tatterfield, Chief, Aircraft Maintenance Training Division, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Langley AFB, VA., and Mr. Carl Cafiero, Senior Analyst/Manager II, Synergy, Inc. (Topic: AEF Logistics School at Nellis AFB); •Col Kenneth Lewandowski, Commander, Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center (aka AMARC or “The Boneyard”) Commander (Topic: AMARC’s mission); •Mr. Tom Andrews, Vice President, Aviation Services, Tucson Airport Authority (Topic: Tucson International Airport’s mission).

The Desert Lightning Chapter has several field trips planned. On 11 October, we will visit the local Raytheon corporation. Planned activities for Raytheon include a battle simulation demonstration, air-to-air and air-to-ground presentations, tours of the missile defense lab, javelin production lab, static munitions display exhibit, and a briefing from the Defense Contracting Section. When the weather gets cooler, we have field trips scheduled to Tucson International Airport’s small planes division and AMARC “behind the scenes” tour.

Capt (sel) Anush Collins, our Information Officer, is working on designing a local LOA website. ECD is 1 Nov. We hope to have it posted on the LOA national web-page as well. With the reorganization of the wing, we look forward to keeping in touch with all of our fellow maintainers, log planners, ammo, contracting, transportation, and supply officers.

PAUL J. MCANENY, Maj, USAF President, Desert Lightning Chapter

The Magnolia Chapter - Keesler AFB Would like to wish Captain Mike Stephens, the outgoing Magnolia Chapter Vice President,a fond farewell. Mike's heading to Travis AFB, CA. Also would like to extend a warm welcome and congrats to our incoming Vice President, Captain Mike Saelens!

Lt Col Sweetwine

The Exceptional Release, 20th Anniversary Edition

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Chapter Updates

The Desert Lightning Chapter - Davis-Monthan AFB

Chapter Updates

The Blackjack Chapter - Nellis AFB While most LOA chapters across the country can boast of great presentations from numerous USAF leaders, it is rare that one particular chapter can boast of recent visits from almost all of the general officers in it’s chain of command. Here at Nellis AFB, NV, the LOA BlackJack Chapter received visits from the Deputy Chief of Staff for Installations and Logistics (Lt Gen Michael Zettler), the Deputy Director of the Defense Logisitics Agency (Maj Gen Mary Saunders), the Director of Maintenance under the Deputy Chief of Staff for Installations and Logistics (Brig Gen Elizabeth Ann Harrell), the Director of Maintenance and Logistics for Air Combat Command (Brig Gen Michael Collings) and the Deputy Director for Airborne Accessories at the Oklahoma Air Logistics Center, Tinker AFB, OK (now retired, Col Frank Alfter).

As one might imagine, we’ve been very lucky (as well as getting a little help from our chapter advisors Col Rick Matthews, 57 MXG/CC) to be visited by this level of leadership from across the logistics, maintenance and supply disciplines. Each speaker presented their organizational as well as personal views on the direction in which our logistics community is headed in the near future. In particular in Feb 02, Lt Gen Zettler highlighted the inadequancies of our outdated computer documentation and spare parts status systems (ie, CAMS and SPSS) and spoke of the increased emphasis he is placing on these systems for the future. No doubt, the implementation of the CAMS GUI system is a step in the right direction.

Our timing was definitely good as Brig Gen Collings came to visit from HQ ACC in May 02. News had just broken regarding the upcoming reorganization of our force and he took time to explain first-hand the timeline for change, our levels of involvement, and the need for support of such a large scale change in our business. He took the time to answer some tough questions from our chapter members and focused us on the challenges that lie ahead.

Similarly, Brig Gen Harrell spoke with members of our chapter in Jul 02 about her renewed emphasis on maintenance officer training.

She discussed the need for more hands-on training for young maintenance officers at the Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course (AMOC) as they begin their journey learning the types of activities performed by their future troops. She also outlined the need for continuing officer training, particularly at the field grade/intermediate officer level. By focusing on better and continuing training, she hopes to produce leaders more focused on the health of our fleets and smart maintenance management, and ready to meet the continuing challenges we’ll face in the future.

Col Frank Alfter spoke to our chapter in Jul 02 regarding the delicate relationship we have with our depot maintenance and supply counterparts. He took great strides explaining large wholesale logistics complex and how we can find better answers to our everyday questions on status of parts and the health of our jets and engines at depot. This was also his final TDY trip and he shared a wealth of knowledge gained over his 33+ years in the Air Force.

Finally, Maj Gen Mary Saunders visited with us in September 02 to discuss the changing roles of the Defense Logistics Agency. She highlighted her status as the top Logistics Readiness Officer and spoke on the necessity of folks to grab onto the new force structure within the maintenance, supply transportation, and contracting disciplines. While the names of responsible organizations have changed, so too have their roles to provide agile combat support.

The BlackJack Chapter has truly been blessed during recent months with the variety and scope of guest speakers. We look forward to bringing more senior leaders here to the Crown Jewell of Air Combat Command to highlight our capabilities as well as learn more about our ever-changing roles in the Air Force.

Capt Gibson is the current president of the Nellis AFB Blackjack Chapter of the Logistics Officer Association. He is assigned as the Officer in Charge of Eagle (F-15C) Aircraft Maintenance Unit within the 57th AMXS supporting USAF Weapons School and 422 Test and Evaluation Squadron sortie production. He has been assigned to the 57th AMXS since Nov 00.

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Maj Richard Nelson writes:

Lt Col Dave Huni writes:

This note is a little late but in Feb, 2002,I moved to AF/ILMM after spending over two years in the dark side, AF/XOOT, where I worked as a 16G on the AF flying hour program. It’s nice to be back.

Finished up my Army training at Ft. Leavenworth and moved here to AFPC as Chief of Maintenance Officer Assignments.

We have safely arrived in San Antonio and our new home. Luckily we were not affected by the floods at all so the move went pretty well.

We are still unpacking but starting to feel like we are in “our home”. Hope all is well with you all. Here is our new info:

My family and I are back in Europe after a 7year stint in the states—this time as Deputy Chief Munitions for HQ USAFE. I look forward to getting out to see the loggies in the command as I get spun up. If you are in the Ramstein area TDY, stop by and see me in Bldg 526...2nd floor.

Maj Eric “Meat” North writes: I have PCS’d from Hurlburt to Wright Patterson AFB. I am currently on the HQ AFMC/LG staff working in LGPW—workload branch.

Rich, Leanne, Hannah and Erik Nelson 3556 Piedmont Place

Maj Randy Harvey writes: Headed to Altus this summer to be the 97 LG/CC.

Schertz, TX 78154

Major Bruce Bartholomew writes: After completing the year-long lobotomy at Air Command and Staff College, I’m now assigned as the Operations Officer for the brand new 509th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Whiteman AFB, Missouri.

(210) 658-1246 Lt Col Dan Henderson writes:

Col Pamela D. Carter writes: Just wanted to drop you a line to let you know that I’m PCSing from Hickam to Wright Patt.

I’m currently the Deputy Director for Logistics, HQ PACAF,and I’m moving to be the Director of the Joint Depot Maintenance Activity. I’ll send a new mailing address when I have it.

Thanks.

Maj Enid T. Lynch writes: I will be leaving the fun job of Maintenance Supervisor, 319 AGS, Grand Forks AFB, ND in late July and am bound for the US Embassy, Gaberone, Botswana, where I will be the Deputy, Office of Defense Cooperation.

When not in the office, I expect to be out watching Botswana’s wealth of wildlife.

Capt Steve Oliver writes: I graduated with a Master’s degree from AFIT’s Logistics Management Program about a year ago and am now working as a Logistics Analyst for the Air Staff at the Air Force Logistics Management Agency at Maxwell AFB - Gunter Annex Lt Col Frank Dolcater writes: After 5 years on the sunny Gulf Coast of Mississippi we’re moving to the sunny east coast of Florida. I’ll command the 920th Maintenance Squadron until 1 April 2003. On 1 April, the 920th Rescue Group gets upgraded to wing status and I get the honor to be the first commander of the 920th Maintenance Group.

Hopefully we will be here for about three years so you can probably write this one down in ink this time.

Looking forward to hearing from all of you.

Cheers to all, The Nelson’s Col Steve Wilson writes: I’ll be leaving Seymour Johnson in a few weeks to assume command of the 35 Maintenance Group at Misawa AB on 11 Sep. Drop me an email, or stop by Misawa for a visit. There’s always beer in the fridge!

Capt Althea Loschinskey writes: I landed at Fairchild AFB, WA in June. I’ll be serving as the 92d AGS Falcon Sortie Generation Flight Commander.

Colonel Jones, Donny “Bogie” R. writes: After thirty years in service to the United States I have retired. I was honored to have Maj Gen Bielowicz officiate a small ceremony at the Kelly Veterans Memorial in San Antonio.

We will be in Helotes, Texas for anyone passing through SA. Bogie sends.

Major Jeff Meserve writes: Greetings. My wife, Janet, and I just arrived at Beale and I assumed command of the 9MUNS (AFCOMAC) on 12 July. Great mission and super troops! AMMO!!!

The Exceptional Release, 20th Anniversary Edition

I was recently selected as the 136th AW (ANG) Logistics Group Commander. My previous positions include the Wing Executive Officer, the Chief Of Supply, the LSF Commander, and the AGS Commander. The position also affords me an opportunity for promotion to Colonel.

Major Jamie Allen writes: I’m leaving Langley this month after two great years as a maintenance inspector on the ACC/IG Team. I highly recommend doing an IG tour to anyone. I’m heading to ACSC at Maxwell for 10 months of school. Lastly, my hat is off to the Langley LOA chapter! Great job! I’ll certainly miss the meetings.

Col Judy Kautz writes: I’ve completed a wonderful and rewarding two years as the 12th Logistics Group Commander at Randolph. I’m now headed to Tinker to be Deputy Director, Aircraft Accessories.

Major Gloria J. Edwards writes: I have changed jobs from Maintenance Operations Squadron Commander previous LSS/CC for about 6 hours on 1 Jul 02 to a Logistics Plans Officer at HQ Defense Logistics Agency in the Logistics Readiness Center. My work number is (703)767-2704 or DSN 427-2704. Great to be in Virginia...

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On-The-Move

Lt Col John Harris writes:

On-The-Move

Maj John Gorla:

Major Mike Mistretta:

Lt Col Marc Sarchet:

“Just PCSd from Cannon AFB in July, after two years of SMO duty to Sheppard AFB where I am the Director of Operations for the 360th Training Squadron. We train all new Crew Chiefs, Maintenance Officers, Analysts and Schedulers.”

“Recently moved from 81st Transportation Commander, Keesler AFB to Deputy Chief, C130 Weapon System Support Center, C-130 Production Branch at WR-ALC, GA.”

“Recently PCS’d from Elmendorf where I was the 3 CRS Commander to Tyndall where I assumed command of the new 325th AMXS.”

1Lt Darren L. Brumfield: “Headed from AWACS to F-16s. I’ll be moving in Nov 2002 from the 552d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (USAF MEA winners for 2001) to the 21st Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base.”

1 LT Todd Oxtra:

1st Lt Mike Bliss: “I’m “pulling chocks”. I’ve had a great 3 years at Dover AFB. I saw the birth of our LOA chapter and had the pleasure of serving as president. I’m moving to Gunter-Maxwell AFB, AL and will be working in the 331st Recruiter Squadron.”

Capt Jordan Murphy:

“Recently named as Distribution flight Commander for the 27th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Cannon Air Force Base.”

“I’ve PCSd again...to the one location closer to Ellsworth, other than back to Minot...F.E. Warren. Doing the 21M crossflow thing as a missile maintainer. Interesting...”

Lt Col (ret) Barbara Reynolds:

Major Kelly Scott Kelly:

“I recently retired after 24 years. Enjoyed every bit of it. I am now workine on the acquisiton of the MC2A platform. What a challenge! Decided to stay in Langley area for now.”

“I moved to Offutt over the summer and am the Maintenance Supervisor for the new 55th AMXS. Hell ya!”

Col Steve Ribuffo: “I’ve moved from Commander, 15th Logistics Group, Hickam AFB; to Director for Logistics (J4), Alsakan Command, Elmendorf AFB. It’s the end of November, and we’re still waiting for snow!”

Col Randy Harvey: “My assignment from McGuire to Altus was cancelled due to the reorganization. But now, as of 13 Nov 02 I’ll be the 314 MXG/CC at Little Rock. It doesn’t get much better than this!”

Capt Vandy Lampkin:

“I have left Osan after 2 years as the DOGM. I am now settled in at Seymour Johnson as the Deputy Maintenance Group Commander.

Drop in for a visit!”

“Greetings fellow loggies! After finishing up a 15 month tour as a command and control officer (86P) here at D-M, I’m happy to be working as a log planner in 12 AF. I’m looking forward to next year’s LOA conference at my previous duty station—Tinker! See you all there.”

Capt Joseph Huscroft:

Lt Col John M. Bukowinski:

“My wife Liz and I recently moved from Eielson AFB to Wright-Pat. I got selected for the AFIT Masters Program in Logistics Management. We will be here until graduation in March 04. Things are going great and enjoying a “Milder” fall and winter than in Alaska!”

“I arrived at Sheppard AFB in July to take command of the 363d Training Squadron.”

Lt Col Michael Arceneaux:

Capt Alesia Quiton: “Just wanted to let you know we have moved.

We’re now stationed at Canadian Forces Base, Trenton, Ontario as a maintenance Supervisor in the exchange program.”

Lt Col John M. Bukowinski: “Lt Col John M. Bukowinski took command of the 363d Training Squadron at Sheppard AFB on 22 Jul 02.”

Major Jim Katrenak: “I recently moved from Dyess AFB, TX, where I was the SMO of the 9th Bomb Squadron, to Minot AFB, ND, taking command of the 5th Maintenance Squadron. Great to be back once again at Minot, where I am commanding the squadron I started my maintenance career in many years ago (known as the 5th Field Maintenance Squadron back then!)”

Major Dan-O Semsel: “Aloha y’all! I felt the need to practice my favorite hobby: PCSing. We returned to the POL community at Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii where I am the Commander of DESC-Middle Pacific. Working on a USMC base is interesting. This followed my last assignment as Commander of the 89th Supply Squadron at Andrews AFB where I cased the guidon after A-76 privatization. The Semsels and Pepper the fat hound-dog are going to be here for 3 years.”

Colonel Michael L. Walters:

Colonel Rick Jones: “Have moved from the Pentagon to Mountain Home AFB as the Deputy Maintenance Group Commander. Loving life and the Gunfighters.

“After one year on the ACC LG staff, I assumed command of the 20th Logistics Group, Shaw AFB, S.C on 12 July 2002. It is wonderful to get back to the field and I am having a great time.”

We’d love to hear from you! Please submit your On-The-Move submissions from the members area of the LOA website, or mail them to us at LOA National, PO Box 2264, Arlington, VA 22202.

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