Colonel Method accepts command of 76th CMXG

Published July 3, 2013
By Brandice J. O'Brien
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Standing in front of approximately 200 members of the local and Tinker community, Col. Leigh Method accepted command of the 76th Commodities Maintenance Group on June 28. Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex Commander Brig. Gen. Gene Kirkland presided over the change of command ceremony at the Hollywood and Vine intersection at Bldg. 3001.

"Colonel Method will pick up where Mike leaves off," said General Kirkland. "She comes straight from the Pentagon where she managed a $25-billion budget program affecting weapons systems sustainment ... Colonel Method brings with her a career of outstanding leadership."

At the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., Colonel Method served as the chief of the Program Integration Division for the Directorate of Resource Integration for the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Installations and Mission Support at the Air Force Headquarters.
Previously, she has held positions in aircraft maintenance and ground and air transportation. This is her first assignment as a group commander. Colonel Method said she is already impressed by the commodities maintenance group.

"It's already apparent to me that you are resilient and innovative," she said. "Teamwork, communication and professionalism have been the watchwords of my career and I look forward to working with you together as we continue to achieve the Art of the Possible."

Colonel Method succeeded Col. Mike Christian, who leaves Tinker to fulfill a one-year assignment at Al-Udeid Air Base, Qatar, where he will be the senior logistics officer at U.S. Air Forces Central Command. Within his new role, he will be responsible for maintenance, supply, transportation, fuels and munitions.

Colonel Christian was presented with the Meritorious Service Award fifth oak leaf cluster and said he is proud of his group and what they have achieved.

"To the men and women of the 76th Commodities Maintenance Group, I have to say how proud I am to have been your commander. You definitely overcame some pretty serious obstacles," he said. "I have seen you rise from destruction, start to rebuild your communities to make them better than they were before and I have to say perseverance like that can't be bought. Perseverance like that comes from a stubbornness of mind. That's truly a unique quality that us Oklahomans have. That's truly a quality that makes the commodities group what it is today."

General Kirkland said he is proud of Colonel Christian for his outstanding attitude and performance during the colonel's tenure.

"Colonel Christian was well ahead of pace implementing the 'AFSC Way' into maintenance and production, and taking care of the men and women of the 76th CMXG," General Kirkland said. "Mike is the type of leader who gives his people the tools and leadership support they need to press forward ... his leadership has made great things happen."