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AFGLSC/CC cites confidence in workforce

  • Published
  • By Brandice J. O'Brien
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Tinker has made him proud.

During a two-day visit July 5-6, Maj. Gen. Gary McCoy saw the dedication, confidence and enthusiasm of the 448th Supply Chain Management Wing. Visiting for the last time as the Air Force Global Logistics Support Center commander, the general will soon retire.

"I found on this trip a couple of things that are better than I have seen in the past and one of them is the confidence in the workforce," General McCoy said. "People are very confident in what they're doing. They're in their stride."

Nearly three years ago, the Air Force breathed life into a new concept: a single point of entry into the Air Force supply chain and introduced the AFGLSC. Based at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., the center is comprised of two wings and seven groups. In addition to the 448th SCMW, two groups -- 848th and 948th Supply Chain Management Groups -- are also at Tinker.

The wing, comprised of nearly 3,000 personnel -- of which, roughly 1,300 military and civilians are assigned here -- is the planning and execution arm of the center. Each day, the 448th SCMW focuses on supporting the warfighters' and depot maintenance supply needs throughout the Air Force.

The 448th SCMW forecasts parts support and aids foreign countries, Department of Defense services, the Air Force's major commands, various weapon supply managers and the depot maintenance wings.

Comparing the AFGLSC to a new football team, the general said the center has accomplished several feats, proved themselves over and over again, and is working to achieve something spectacular -- the equivalent to a Super Bowl win.

"This team is Super-Bowl ready, if they're not already Super Bowl winners," General McCoy said. "They have overcome some challenges that many thought were impossible to overcome."

Using innovative thinking to brainstorm more efficient strategies, the general said he has no doubt the center will continue to excel even after he passes the reins to his successor, Brig. Gen. H. Brent Baker in July. In fact, he's certain of it and the Tinker component will remain an invaluable asset.

"Tinker and the AFGLSC have to be best friends and close partners," General McCoy said. "Tinker and the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center are producing stuff not just because they have the capability, but because someone needs it ... what we need to do is make sure we retain and sustain those relationships to get better and better.

"The team I see here at Tinker is made up of smart, hard-working and very dedicated and committed people," the general said. "I'm very proud to be a part of what goes on here at Tinker. I'm very proud to team with Maj. Gen. David Gillett, OC-ALC commander, and be a part of making our nation and Air Force stronger and making sure we sustain the world's greatest Air Force."

General McCoy accepted command of the center in November 2008 following an extensive logistics career expanding more than 40 years that brought him to major command and Air Staff-level positions. Prior to joining the Air Force, the general came from humble beginnings, a piece of his makeup that even now, he values.

General McCoy's introduction to the military came when he was a third grader in South Carolina. At the time, he had already been raised with the discipline for success and the drive to succeed through tough love. His parents, share croppers, depended on the land's prosperity for their own financial wellbeing; times were not always easy.

One day at school, the general's class was introduced to a special guest -- a local man who had become an Army Green Beret. The general said he was in awe. Standing before him was a "10-foot tall man with a crisp uniform, big, shiny boots and medals."
It was at that moment, he said to himself, "I don't know what that guy is, but I want to be one of them."

Realizing the Special Forces soldier represented something greater than himself, the ball was set in motion and the general's fate was sealed. He pursued it, first enlisting in the Air Force, then going to college and becoming an officer.

"I have lived the American dream and I never take any of this for granted. I think I have been blessed more than I could ever have imagined," General McCoy said. "I didn't start off saying 'I'm going to be a general and I'm going to do this.' All I have said is, 'I want to serve and when given the opportunity, I want to be the best I can be.' That has been my philosophy as an airman and as a general."