76th AMXG/CC retires; reflects fondly on group Published July 7, 2011 By Brandice J. O'Brien Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The 76th Aircraft Maintenance Group statistics say volumes about Col. Doug Cato, but that's only a piece of the commander's career. Within his 24-years, Colonel Cato has aimed high, accomplishing challenging goals and setting new standards; but, he insists it was achieved through a team effort. On July 15, following a change-of-command ceremony celebrating his two years as the aircraft maintenance group commander, Colonel Cato will retire. "Thank you to the men and women of the 76th Aircraft Maintenance Group for your fortitude in taking on this task," Colonel Cato said. "You've done a tremendous job, with speed and quality, and excelled in everything you've done. Thank you for your contribution to America. You are true patriots." Colonel Cato arrived at Tinker in June 2008, first serving as the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center Plans and Programs director. In May 2009, he was reassigned to command the aircraft maintenance group and went to work. Reducing flow days for various weapons systems was among his priorities and he noted the KC-135 Stratotanker was at 224 flow days when he arrived. In the past quarter, aircraft maintenance group personnel held steady at 165 flow days, which Colonel Cato said is a 28-percent improvement. "The last 10 aircraft we've produced, were done in 144 flow days," he said. "That's 80 days less than we did in 2009 and we're on the road to 130 flow days." The colonel said the group is currently working on -- and will achieve -- a challenge presented by the secretary of the Air Force to reduce the number of flow days to 130 and produce up to 64 aircraft by fiscal 2012. Already, the group is seeing the fruits of their labor. The colonel said he remembers 31 KC-135 aircraft on station at any one time when he first took command. But, through process improvement and the support of multiple on-base organizations -- including the 76th AMXG leadership team and squadron division chiefs, American Federation of Government Employees Local 916 and the 72nd Air Base Wing Civil Engineer Directorate - that number was whittled down to 23 KC-135 aircraft on Tinker. "Those aircraft we've returned back to the warfighter," he said. "So, if you can return eight aircraft back to the warfighter, those are missions that probably could not have been done before." The KC-135 is just one example. The group has also improved its statistics on B-1 Lancer and B-52 Stratofortress production, increasing improvement by 18.5 percent and 19 percent, respectively. Additionally, this fiscal year, the group has returned finished KC-135 aircraft either early or on time. No KC-135 aircraft have been late. If that didn't earn the colonel and his group bragging rights, he said his personnel have also accomplished these feats while being safe. Both their Total Case Incident Rates and Days Away, Restricted or Transferred rates have dropped. "As such, we are all incredibly proud of Team Tinker," Colonel Cato said. "I think that's goodness. I like it." These feats were accomplished as the group added two new workloads -- E-3 Sentry Block 40/45 modification project and the E-6 Mercury service-life extension program. The E-3 Block 40/45 modification project is a $2.9-billion initiative to upgrade the computer system, ground systems and infrastructure. Replacing the aircraft's physical computer equipment began in November 2010 in conjunction with routine programmed depot maintenance. Phase one of the low-rate initial production of the project was finished on the first AWACS 30 days ahead of schedule in May. "Colonel Cato has been instrumental in providing leadership that drives results," said Bruno Morf, 566th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron director. "Under his command the 566th AMXS has been able to soar to new accomplishments and provide the warfighter with new capability through the Block 40/45 modification on the E-3 AWACS aircraft." The service-life extension plan program for the E-6 primarily consists of "beefing up" the tail and under surfaces of the wing. Mechanics are examining and replacing up to 15,000 structural fasteners on the aircraft's wings. Additionally, fastener holes are being widened and strengthened to extend the aircraft's life to 2038. The first aircraft was returned to the Navy in June 2010. "One of the first things I recognized about Doug was his ability to think critically...that ability has defined his Air Force career and served him well in his most recent role as the 76th Aircraft Maintenance Group Commander," said Kevin O'Connor, 76th Maintenance Wing vice director who formerly served as Colonel Cato's deputy director. "There is no shortage of challenges in maintenance and Doug always found a way to meet those challenges head on....with data driven analysis and professional execution. Doug cares deeply about the organizations he serves and the Air Force as a whole. He will be missed." Colonel Cato said he's had a lifelong love for aircraft and remembers when, as a child, his grandfather took him to airport observation decks to see aircraft up close, watch them take off and land on the runways. Joining a service that would bring him closer to these birds of steel was only a natural progression. It was shortly after his commission when the colonel set his first goal. Though it wasn't an easy feat, he achieved it two years ago. The colonel recalled his time as a young second lieutenant in his first job. He said when he received patches he slid them under a glass tabletop on his desk, a practice that continues today. One particular patch caught his attention. It was an eagle given to him by a colonel. "I said, one day I want to be the deputy commander for maintenance because I really enjoyed maintenance and be the head maintainer on base," Colonel Cato said. "Sure enough, that's the equivalency today of where I'm at, running the largest maintenance group in the Air Force with 3,800 people." Being around aircraft, touching its wings and achieving his career goal contributed to Colonel Cato's worthwhile career, but he cited a simple moment in a bustling airport as one of the best and most humbling experiences in his life. Through it all, Colonel Cato said he is glad he served his country. During Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, the colonel walked through the airport in uniform when a child stopped him. She said, "thank you for your service" and handed him a medallion. "I still choke up about that and I so appreciate that," he said. "It's so different from the Vietnam era that you saw with returning military members. We do give the greatest sacrifice; we put our lives on the line to protect the freedoms of this country." Colonel Cato's retirement is of a medical nature. Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease roughly a year and a half ago, he is no longer considered fit for deployments. Colonel Cato's change of command will be held at 8:30 a.m. July 15 at Bldg. 3001's Dock 5 ½. At 10:30 a.m. that same day in Dock 5 ½ is his retirement ceremony. For more information, call 736-3476.