848th SCMG welcomes new commander Published June 24, 2011 By Brandice J. O'Brien Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The 848th Supply Chain Management Group welcomed a new leader June 16. Col. Raymone Mijares succeeded Col. Luis Rosa-Berrios. Held in the base theater, Gilbert Montoya, 448th Supply Chain Management Wing director, presided over the ceremony. "Ray Mijares is the right guy to make sure we continue to take the 848th to the next level of impressive results," Mr. Montoya said. "In his last assignment, he was rated by his commander, a two-star general from Poland, as the top officer in the organization. He continues to demonstrate his abilities to bring forward and deliver positive results. "We're glad you've come on board to take on this very tough assignment, and I am very confident that the organization is safe and you will add a new and valuable perspective to the 448th wing and Air Force Global Logistics Support Center mission and the rest of the building will support you as they had done for Colonel Rosa-Berrios," Mr. Montoya said. Colonel Mijares came to Tinker from Brussels, Belgium, where he served as the deputy chief for the Logistics Branch of the International Military Staff at NATO Headquarters. In the colonel's career, he's been stationed at the Pentagon for two consecutive assignments and has twice been a squadron commander. "To the ladies and gentlemen of the 848th Supply Chain Management Group, I look forward to working with you and am very grateful and thankful for your faithful service," Colonel Mijares said. The colonel shared his leadership philosophies with his new workforce. He said much of it has not changed in the past 10 years. "Quite simply, we're going to accomplish the mission and take care of our people to the absolute best extent possible provided it meets three criteria," he said. "It has to be legal, moral and something that you can tell your grandmother about and be proud." Colonel Mijares' predecessor, Colonel Rosa-Berrios, arrived at Tinker in July 2009. In his tenure, Colonel Rosa-Berrios achieved exceptional feats, including leading the group through a successful Operational Readiness Inspection and earning an "excellent" rating on the Logistics Compliance Assessment Team's inspection. He also improved the war-readiness engines levels, dropping the B-1B mission capable hours by 13,000 hours. Most recently, as of earlier that day, Mr. Montoya said he delivered outstanding news to Gen. Norton Schwartz, Air Force chief of Staff. He told the general the group produced the highest number of F100-PW-229 engines in nine years. The group ensured there are 39 engines available in the field, versus 33, the previous record. "My hat is off to Colonel Rosa-Berrios and his team. Even when I was in engines, I couldn't get it to that high," Mr. Montoya said. "So, again, thank you very much to Colonel Rosa-Berrios for making that happen." Though he leaves the group, Colonel Rosa-Berrios said it was a pleasure to lead the group. "It seems like a couple of days ago, but in reality it was two years, that I took command of the 848th," Colonel Rosa-Berrios said. "From day one, this group started showing me how valuable they were to the Air Force Global Logistics Support Center and Air Force mission. One thing stood above everything else - the pride in deciding this group had to be the very best. They gave everything they had to support the mission." The colonel said each squadron gave their all, achieved astonishing feats and provided him with plenty of bragging material. But, they also took up a place in his heart. "To our civilians and military personnel, thank you all for all you do every single day. You are the backbone of this group and you make it happen," the colonel said. "I always keep a special place in my heart for the 848th. As we've decided to stay in Oklahoma, I hope our paths cross again. Thank you, may God bless you and may God bless the U.S.A."