76th AMXG welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Jillian Coleman
  • 72nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

The 76th Aircraft Maintenance Group has a new commander: Col. Michael P. Allison. A change of command ceremony was held Thursday, April 13, in which Col.Kenyon Bell relinquished command a few weeks in advance of his next assignment as the 72nd Air Base Wing Commander.

Colonel Bell led over 4,100 personnel delivering combat power to our nation as commander of the largest aircraft maintenance group in the Air Force. Under the colonel’s leadership, the 76th AMXG delivered a record number of KC-135 aircraft through the programmed depot maintenance process. With the help of the Life Cycle Management Center, Defense Logistics Agency and the Supply Chain Management Wing, the maintenance group was successful on many fronts. The AMXG team successfully reconstituted the “Ghost Rider,” a B-52 that spent eight years in deep storage at the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., Ghost Rider was regenerated in only nine months, 90 days ahead of schedule.  Additionally, AMXG’s B-1B aircraft maintenance squadron delivered 25 Integrated Battle Station modified aircraft to the warfighter on contract, enabling Interim Operational Capability for aircraft with a 21st century digital backbone, smashing expectations and meeting their Art of the Possible goal of 170 flow days. The group also enabled the strike and mobility missions by producing 70 and 75 KC-135s in fiscal years 2015 and 2016, respectively, establishing back to back production records. The outgoing commander spoke of his command tenure with great pride, especially regarding his 4,100-person team of military and civilian personnel.  Although he noted the vast majority of his team is not in uniform, they are passionate and patriotic and bleed as much red, white and blue as any other Active, Reserve or National Guard member, stressing they are vital to the nation’s readiness and defense.

“Work is done here that is not done anywhere else, and you make it look easy,” Colonel Bell said.  “Professional maintainers who are in it to win it together.”

“Over the past two years we have introduced 450 new people. Across our leadership team, the squadron directors that you see today were not present two years ago,” Colonel Bell said. “We’ve had a complete flip. That’s a significant dynamic, a massive change. But the one thing that has not changed is the dedication of our work force.”

Colonel Bell was then presented with a Legion of Merit award for his tireless dedication. Through his transformational leadership, strategic communication skills and command influence, the outgoing commander was instrumental in leading the 76 AMXG to new heights. His group performed depot-level maintenance on 369 B-1, B-52, C-130, E-3, E-6, KC-10 and KC-135 aircraft, delivering jets back to the customer with an impressive 97 percent on time production rate. 

Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center Commander Brigadier General Mark K. Johnson praised the outgoing commander for his inexhaustible leadership, inclusive nature, keen business sense and positive energy.  Under Colonel Bell’s leadership, the 76 AMXG generated nearly $1.3 billion in revenue for the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex.

General Johnson then welcomed Colonel Allison back to the Complex after a 10-month PCS to the Defense Logistics Agency in Richmond, Va. “[Colonel Allison] was my first and only choice for this command,” Johnson said. Entering his third command tour, Colonel Allison arrives with experience in both the propulsion and commodities groups at the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, as well as his most recent experience with the Defense Logistics Agency. 

“Command is significant,” the general expressed. “For when in command, the commander is the one person who is responsible for everything that happens or does not happen in the organization. The organization will take on the personality of the commander, and I know you will accept that and model it through your servant leadership style.”

The new commander for 76 AMXG, Colonel Allison, expressed great honor and excitement in leading the largest aircraft maintenance group in the U.S. Air Force. He credited his invaluable experience with the 76th Propulsion Maintenance Group and 76th Commodities Maintenance Group with preparing him for the challenges of the 76th Aircraft Maintenance Group. 

Colonel Allison pledged his loyalty to his new aircraft maintenance group, noting his first-hand knowledge of the “herculean efforts” put forth on a daily basis. “I have no doubt this organization will continue to break barriers to ensure that our warfighters have safe and reliable aircraft when and where they are needed. I look forward to working with you towards continued success.”