OC-ALC vice commander set to retire

Published Nov. 12, 2010
By Brandice J. Armstrong
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Twenty-seven years ago, 2nd Lt. Paul Waugh arrived at Tinker for his first assignment, never realizing it would someday be his final base. On Nov. 19, the now colonel and Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center vice commander will retire.

In Colonel Waugh's career, he served four assignments at Tinker. Though he said he never imagined he'd return here after his first assignment, Tinker and Oklahoma offer friends, familiarity and fun. The Iowa native will remain in Oklahoma for the foreseeable future.

"Midwestern people are genuinely concerned about you as a person and the Midwestern work ethic is something you don't see in other parts of the country. It was just refreshing to come back," Colonel Waugh said. "It almost feels like coming home except for the red dirt and short trees."

In his first Tinker assignment, Colonel Waugh served as the Technical Activities Management engineer and group leader for the OC-ALC Directorate of Maintenance. He left in 1988. Seventeen years later, after gaining more experience in engineering, acquisitions, training and logistics, he returned to Tinker to become commander of the 327th Contractor Logistics Sustainment Group.

In 2006, he was promoted to 327th Aircraft Sustainment Wing commander; and in July 2009, he became the OC-ALC/CV.

The colonel said he learned several valuable lessons, which have aided him well in his career, and he offers them to younger Airmen. Among the most important is living in the moment and carrying out the task at hand.

"Don't worry about your next promotion or next job too much," he said. "Figure out what your job is, do the best job you can, and your boss and boss's boss will recognize that. You'll get increased responsibilities, opportunities to do better. If you continue to succeed at what's given to you, then you'll get the promotions and good jobs in the future. If you worry about your next assignment, people see through that."

Teamwork is also vital to success and Airmen should track their success. If there is a project or program that is implemented, trace its progress, which is something Colonel Waugh said he didn't do early in his career.

"It's all about the team, it's not about the leader," he said. "You have to set goals and measure your performance against those goals to see if you're successful. If you don't, how do you know if you're successful?"

In his time as vice commander, Colonel Waugh said he's put those lessons to work, and his greatest accomplishment was leading the team to develop a plan that ensures no loss of warfighter support when the Propulsion Business Area contract for T56 and TF39 engines expires in 2014. Work is currently performed in San Antonio, and the contract is between the worksite and 76th Maintenance Wing.

"I think I've laid out a plan to allow the Air Force to make a repair decision determination that will set up those programs so we don't have a break in support when the contract ends," Colonel Waugh said. "It's a very political contract because most of the work is still done in San Antonio, so we need to make sure we go through all the steps to avoid protests and congressional involvement. I think I've laid out a path for the team to follow."

As Colonel Waugh prepares for his next journey, he will be missed and remembered for the work he did here.

"Paul Waugh has done a masterful job at the group, wing, and center levels of leadership," said Maj. Gen. David Gillett, OC-ALC commander. "I have depended on his wise counsel and leadership ability daily. He has served the nation well and proudly. Stacia and I wish him, Cathy, and Sabrina Godspeed as they begin this new adventure."