“Leave it better than you found it” 72nd Air Base Wing Commander sets sights on priorities

  • Published
  • By Mark Hybers
  • 72nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

 

Col. Kenyon Bell took command of the 72nd Air Base Wing more than a year ago.

Looking to build off of a fast-paced and productive first year as commander, Bell reflects on the past year and lessons learned as he sets key initiatives and priorities for today, and well in to the future.

 

Hit the ground running

Bell took the guidon just three weeks before the Star Spangled Salute Air Show, which turned out to be the largest in Tinker’s history with more than 247,000 spectators.  This event was just one of many in celebration of Tinker Air Force Base’s 75th Anniversary.  This was just the start to Col Bell’s first year as the 72nd ABW commander.

“First off, being the 72nd ABW commander is humbling. I’m happy and proud to be a part of this team,” Bell said.  “It’s been an awesome year.”

Notable events last year include the Air Force Ball, a ceremonial burial of Tinker’s 75th anniversary time capsule, a C-141 dedication at the air park, support for multiple hurricane evacuations, and the 72nd ABW HQ and multiple staff agencies relocated across base.

“It was a big year for the base,” Bell said.  The Navy’s Strategic Communications Wing ONE celebrated its 25th anniversary at Tinker AFB; the 552nd Air Control Wing celebrated its 40th year at Tinker AFB; and the 507th Air Refueling Wing marked its 45th year at Tinker AFB. 

Even with all of those significant feats taking place, Bell said in his opinion one of the biggest accomplishments for the wing was receiving an ‘Effective’ rating by the HQ AFMC Inspector General. There were more than 20 strengths identified, 49 outstanding performers and multiple teams recognized in the organization. He said the inspection validates the great work taking place across the wing.

“For an outside inspector to say you are doing your job and doing it well, that’s a huge feather in the cap for all members of the 72nd Air Base Wing,” Bell said.

“That’s nearly 3,000 Airmen — active duty, civilian and contractors — all swimming in the same direction trying to support the multiple critical and diverse missions on this base.”

 

Where does the Air Base Wing fit in?

“When you think about the 72nd ABW, you have to consider us as a power projection platform,” Bell said. “We are one of eight wings in the Air Force Sustainment Center and as the host support wing at Tinker, we have the opportunity and obligation to support all of our mission partners … our impact across Tinker and the AF is far-reaching!”

The wing supports the Air Force Sustainment Center’s three-star headquarters; the sustainment and readiness of the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex, the largest ALC in the Air Force; the air dominance mission of the 552nd Air Control Wing; the Secretary of Defense’s No. 1 priority of nuclear deterrence as the 72nd bolsters up the Navy’s Strategic Communications Wing One; the alert mission with the 507th Air Refueling Wing; and the 448th Supply Chain Management Wing, along with all the other mission partners across Tinker.

“When we talk about what the 72nd ABW has done over the past year, we take great pride in everybody else’s success,” he said.  “As we conduct all the normal base operations and support, it enables all those other missions. We succeed when others (mission partners) reach their goals.”

 

Priorities and initiatives – yesterday, today and tomorrow

Shortly after taking command of the wing, the base received nearly $10 million of unfunded requirements for base gate security enhancements kicked in. Finishing previous command initiatives is important, and Bell said it is crucial to articulate existing priorities as well. 

“As the 72nd ABW commander, I also serve as the installation commander,” Bell said.  “As the installation commander, base security is my No. 1 priority.”

With roughly 30,000 people living, working or visiting Tinker on a daily basis, maintaining security is critical. That’s where all of the ongoing security upgrades at the gates come into play.

Another key priority for Bell this year is infrastructure upgrades. “Construction is going on all across the installation,” he said. “You don’t go very far without seeing orange cones and construction workers. The landscape on Tinker is changing daily… for the better. Our bumper sticker saying is ‘construction is progress.’  It keeps everyone focused on leaving Tinker better than we found it.”

From gate construction, to a new air traffic control tower, KC-46A military construction projects and lodging refurbishments, infrastructure upgrades are happening all across the base. 

“We have to focus our attention and resources on aging infrastructure,” Bell said.  Continuous improvement in roads, equipment, and facilities … all key initiatives to ensure our folks have the best possible living and working conditions on Tinker.

 

Looking beyond the tree line

What can be done to support the future?  Bell says from an initiative and priority standpoint, focusing on personnel is key. 

Civilian hiring needs to be done in a very efficient way, so when people rotate out, leave the organization or retire, replacements are in place. Leader development is also a must.

“We must develop leaders,” Bell said.  “We have to ensure we are growing our replacements, both civilian and military … we must invest in our people.”  The wing is taking action in this area. “We recently hosted the Profession of Arms Center of Excellence team here for their ‘Developing Human Capital’ seminar. It was a huge success with more than 200 attendees. This is just one example of many where we are investing in our people.”

Bell says his wing is focused on using Art of the Possible philosophies to ensure continuous process improvement. This model is proven and enables a diverse team to improve and maintain results over sustained periods. “AoP is our play book and drives efficiencies,” Bell added. 

Colonel Bell wrapped it up by emphasizing his pride in the 72nd ABW and Team Tinker. “I’m extremely proud of our team … it’s been a great year with a lot of accomplishments and improvements under our belt. There are many opportunities ahead of us and we have a cohesive team — mission partners and community support — to ensure we make the right decisions not just for today, but that can stand the test of time. I look forward to another great year ahead!”