New 76th MXW commander thrilled to be here Published June 3, 2011 By Brandice J. O'Brien Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Col. Cedric George said he's glad to be home - in Air Force Materiel Command and assigned to a maintenance wing. Being stationed at Tinker is just the proverbial cherry on top. Colonel George, who had not served in AFMC for more than 10 years, took command of the 76th Maintenance Wing in late April. While it may seem the transition back into AFMC may be a hard one, he says otherwise. He's ready for what's to come - following a smooth transition, he's ready to build on the wing's strong foundation, and challenge the team to meet its maximum potential. "I am honored to command this talented team of professionals who have been maintaining our nation's aircraft, engines, missile and software for the past six decades," the colonel said. "This command has always led the Air Force in taking care of its people, pushing the envelope on innovation and continuous process improvement. Those are three things I care deeply about." Colonel George arrived here from the Pentagon, in Washington, D.C., where he served as special assistant to the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force. In his 24-year career, he has extensive experience in acquisitions in both Air Force and joint programs. He's held numerous maintenance positions and has served in leadership positions at the wing, major command and Air Staff levels. But, his love for maintenance began in high school. The son of an Army first sergeant, Colonel George attended a vocational high school in Long Island City, N.Y. There, he earned an airframe license to repair aircraft. "All I wanted to do was fix airplanes for Grumman," Colonel George said. That changed when an Air Force Academy liaison suggested the colonel attend college. He earned a four-year Reserve Officers' Training Corps scholarship to a four-year university of his choice. He chose Norwich University, a military academy in Vermont. Following his graduation and commission in 1988, the colonel said his goal was to become a squadron commander. He fulfilled that aspiration in August 2003, when as a lieutenant colonel, he was assigned to lead the 49th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. As his career flourished, the colonel continued to do his part to better the Air Force. Tinker is no exception. As maintenance wing commander, he said he has goals that the wing will reach. "Our job is simple - accomplish the mission while making the 76th MXW the best place in the Air Force to work," Colonel George said. "I will challenge this team to celebrate the great accomplishment achieved under former 76th MXW Commander Maj. Gen. Bruce Litchfield, but move forward in reaching our maximum potential in production operations." General Litchfield said he's right on target. "Our job, as wing commander, is to make sure the folks doing the work are successful," he said. Regardless of how big a challenge or barrier is we owe it to the folks in this organization to eliminate the constraints and provide them the resources necessary for our mission." More specifically, Colonel George said he wants to develop a culture of problem-solving leaders, improve productivity by maintaining focus on throughput, speed and quality. "Throughput is already increasing, and work in progress is decreasing, so we must stay the course by maintaining focus on throughput at all levels, continuous process improvement, and eliminating constraints," he said. With his "lead from the front with demanding, but motivating style" he said he's excited lead a Tinker team. "I can already feel what others have experienced in this extremely proud, warm and patriotic community," Colonel George said. "From the moment I arrived on my very first transition trip back in October, I've been welcomed with superb support from the command staff, and warm hearts and friendly smiles from the community. I think Tinker will end up being our best assignment, like it has been for so many others before me."