Tinker Air Force Base to get new commander, may lose jobs, lawmakers say
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November 04, 2011
BY CHRIS CASTEEL, Washington Bureau
The Oklahoman
11/2/2011
WASHINGTON — The massive repair depot at Tinker Air Force Base has been chosen as the site for a new leadership role, part of an Air Force streamlining effort that will mean fewer jobs at Tinker and other air logistics centers, according to members of Oklahoma’s congressional delegation.
The restructuring gives the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center a three-star general serving as a commander of Air Force sustainment; the center and the Air Force repair depots in Utah and Georgia will have one-star generals that report to that commander.
The Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, which employs an estimated 16,000 military and civilian personnel, was chosen over Air Force air logistics centers in Georgia and Utah for the designation as the Air Logistics Complex Commander.
No firm job numbers were available Wednesday morning, but it is believed that Tinker will lose fewer jobs than the Utah and Georgia sites because the sustainment command will be there. The Air Force streamlining effort also may mean civilian job cuts at Altus Air Force Base and Vance Air Force Base in Enid.
Members of Oklahoma’s congressional delegation, who were briefed on the decision that is expected to be announced by the Air Force later Wednesday, hailed the decision giving the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center a status superior to the other two Air Force depots.
The Oklahoma City center currently is commanded by Maj. Gen. David Gillett, a two-star general set to retire at the end of this year.
Under the Air Force plan, the center would get a lieutenant general — a three star general — and all three air logistics centers would get a brigadier, or one-star, general.
Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa, said, “The mission and work being done at the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center are a source of pride for our entire state.”
Inhofe said Tinker now will be “at the heart of the Air Force’s drive to increase efficiency and cost effectiveness while focusing on the number one goal — supporting the warfighter.
However, Inhofe said he wished the Air Force would have consulted with Congress before making the changes.
Rep. Tom Cole, R-Moore, whose district includes Tinker, said, “Tinker has emerged from this process stronger than many other facilities and has great potential to gain additional new missions and jobs in the future. … The assignment of a sustainment center and three-star general highlights Tinker’s pre-eminent role among air logistics facilities. This is a big gain for Oklahoma and an honor for Tinker.”
The Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, which repairs numerous jet engines and missiles and is the worldwide manager for that work, is under the Air Force Materiel Command, based at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.
The center at Tinker is the largest of the three Air Force depots.
Though Oklahoma lawmakers expressed pride in Tinker’s new role, they also questioned whether the new structure would be more efficient since there will now be two chains of command involved in ensuring weapon systems are delivered on time.
The three air logistics centers, which will be called Air Logistics Complexes, will be part of the Aerospace Sustainment Directorate and will report to a new Life Cycle Management Center based at Wright-Patterson.
“The key measurement of the ALCs is how fast they can get aircraft and engines out the door,” Inhofe said.
“The realignment of ASD under the new Life Cycle Management Center at Wright Patterson AFB could jeopardize that, and is unacceptable.
“I will continue working with the Air Force and the delegations of Oklahoma, Georgia and Utah on the specific details of the ASD located at each of the three ALCs.”
Gen. Donald Hoffman, commander of the Air Force Material Command, visited Tinker’s air logistics center last month, as did the AFMC’s new vice commander, Lt. Gen. C.D. Moore II.
Moore said then, “We have a responsibility to ensure America and the U.S. taxpayers get the maximum value out of every dollar invested. And Tinker AFB and Oklahoma City play a critical role in providing the essential airpower capability the nation requires.”
Under budget pressure that may increase as lawmakers continue to focus on cutting future spending, all branches of the U.S. military are looking for ways to streamline their operations.
Rep. James Lankford, R-Oklahoma City, said Wednesday, “I commend the vision and foresight of local leaders and the community to make Tinker a more valuable partner in the mission of our national defense structure.
“Tinker has routinely demonstrated its ability to provide quality results to the warfighter in a timely manner, and I am pleased the Air Force agrees. Increasing leadership at the base is a testament to their successful ability
