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New leader, Dr. Blake, takes charge at Tinker’s 76th Software Maintenance Group

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  • By Nicole Turner
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Dr. Douglas Blake officially gained the title of director of the 76th Software Maintenance Group at his assumption of command ceremony on Jan. 31. Several friends and co-workers attended the event that was held at 3 p.m. in Bldg. 3001 in the Oklahoma Room.
Maj. Gen. Bruce Litchfield, Commander of the 76th Maintenance Wing, welcomed Dr. Blake to Tinker, discussing the expectations of a new command and the reality of mission execution.

"There's an expectation of this group to take us to the next level in terms of capability," General Litchfield said. "I don't think we could have found anyone more intriguing and fitting for this job and I think Doug is going to turn out to be one of the finest software directors that we have in Air Force Materiel Command."

The assumption of command is a military tradition deeply rooted in history. Military personnel would develop flags with unique, specialized colors and designs and historically, soldiers kept sight of their flag when they followed their leaders into battle. If their flag still waved when the battle was over, it was a sign of victory.

Soldiers dedicated their loyalty and trust to their particular flag and to their commander. When a change of command took place, the flag was passed to the person assuming the command, which was a gesture done in front of the entire military unit so they could see and witness their new leader assuming his loyal position.

"Thank you for this great ceremony," Dr. Blake said. "I already believe this is going to be a great fit. I see that what this organization believes and what I believe are the same."

Prior to his assumption of command ceremony, Dr. Blake had been officially employed at Tinker for one week. He said during that week he noticed the employees within the Software Maintenance Group put integrity first, service before self and they strive for excellence in everything.

"All of that in one week makes me excited of what I'm going to learn next week," Dr. Blake said.

Dr. Blake began serving in the Air Force in 1982. After receiving his bachelor of science degree in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Missouri - Rolla, he became the first honor graduate of his U.S. Air Force officer training school class in 1989. He then went on to receive both his master's and doctorate degrees from the Air Force Institute of Technology. He retired from active duty in 2002 but eventually rejoined the Air Force in civilian service. Before accepting his position at Tinker, Dr. Blake was the Deputy Director for the Air Force Research Laboratory, Air Vehicles Directorate at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.

"I'm looking forward to the next few years, and I feel proud to be a part of this organization. I will do right by this team, thank you for the opportunity," Dr. Blake said.