BRAC implemented as Air Force detachment transfers to DLA at Warner Robins

  • Published
  • By Amy T. Clement
  • Defense Supply Center Richmond Public Affairs
Defense Logistics Agency gained 240 employees Oct. 15 when DLA-Warner Robins stood up at Robins Air Force Base, Ga. DLA activated the new detachment of its aviation supply and demand chain in response to 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Supply and Storage legislation.
   The "new" employees will provide supply, storage, and distribution support to the maintenance activities for Warner Robins Air Logistics Center. DLA officials said they welcome the employees, who bring skills, experience and knowledge of processes with them from the Air Force.
   The BRAC 2005 decision called for the Department of Defense to reconfigure its supply, storage, and distribution infrastructure into one integrated provider -- DLA. The activation of DLA-Warner Robins marks Air Force Materiel Command's first air logistics center to implement the BRAC mandate, with Air Force positions in the 702nd Maintenance Support Squadron transferring in place to DLA.
   This is the first of 13 supply, storage, and distribution activations scheduled to take place over the next several years at all Air Force air logistics centers and aviation depots of other services. Similar transitions will take place at Air Force ALCs at Tinker, in February, and at Hill AFB, Utah, in April.
   The combined deactivation/activation ceremony was held in the Museum of Aviation at Warner Robins Air Logistics Center. Air Force Brig. Gens. Andrew Busch, commander of Defense Supply Center Richmond, and Mark Atkinson, commander of 402nd Maintenance Wing, presided at the joint ceremony. General Atkinson and Joe Alexander, director of the 702nd Maintenance Support Squadron, officiated during the deactivation. General Busch and Col. Madeline Lopez, the first DLA Warner Robins commander, officiated during the activation.
   "This ceremony ends one era and begins a new era," General Atkinson said. "Often at ceremonies like this, where we furl and case the flag, the flag, the people, and the mission go away -- but not today. The people, mission, and requirements stay. DOD transformation is ongoing and this transfer is part of the change."
   General Atkinson told employees from the 702nd Maintenance Support Squadron they'd remain part of the team. "You're still part of the family and our commitment to warfighters and customers will continue, and I look forward to the years ahead," he said. "The success of the 402nd Maintenance Wing is largely built on the supply and support you've (702nd Maintenance Support Squadron) provided," General Busch said.
   The DLA-Warner Robins detachment will be managed by DLA's aviation supply chain, DSCR, based in Richmond, Va.
   "Col. Madeline Lopez will do a fantastic job as commander of DLA Warner Robins," General Busch said. "She is the right person for the job; she knows the processes and is committed to supporting the 402nd."
   General Busch said people helped make the transition a smooth one for realigned employees, while ensuring continuity of service to warfighters. He praised the Air Force Materiel Command and DLA team for having the right people working issues.
   "As we began the BRAC process and established a Richmond presence on site to help with the transition, I sent Col. Carl Buhler to be the provisional leader," General Busch said. I didn't give him a charter -- I did tell him to challenge every assumption and don't mess it up."
   Colonel Buhler said one of the benefits of the transfer is that the Air Force will now have access to some of the DLA tools. "The planners will be able to see the parts that DLA has, and they will be able to collaborate and do better forecasting. They will able to make better, informed decisions on how to support the maintenance wing, and the warfighter will get better support because of this access to more information."
   "This is Day 1, and our focus is to ensure uninterrupted support to General Atkinson's maintenance line. Work will continue, as is/where is," General Busch said. "We're also identifying what we'll do on Day 2, which is not a date, but a condition of fail safe support to the maintenance wing as we move through the transformation DOD is asking us to do."
   Throughout the transition process, several town hall meetings were held to keep affected employees informed about the transition.
   "The communication with us was very good," said John Ricks, one of the employees who transferred to DLA. "The initial concern was that of being anxious and not knowing what to expect. But now that it is here, it's kind of invisible and it has gone smooth so far. People are doing the same functions; we're just working for DLA instead of the Air Force. I'm happy so far."
   For more information about BRAC 2005 Supply and Storage, visit https://today.dla.mil/BRAC/default.asp. Questions can be sent to bracquestions@dla.mil.