Col. Evan Miller won’t bid Tinker farewell Published June 30, 2010 By Brandice J. Armstrong Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- After two consecutive assignments here, Col. Evan Miller just received orders for his third Tinker assignment. The 76th Propulsion Maintenance Group commander will soon become the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center vice commander. Since arriving at Tinker in June 2007, Colonel Miller has impressed his colleagues and personnel with his work ethic and his commitment to success. In turn, he said he has learned a great deal about the air logistics center's operations, has gained a better understanding of logistics and has a deeper appreciation for the people who work here. "Our air logistics centers really are national treasures and there's incredible capability here," said Colonel Miller. "We really need to cultivate and plan for and maintain these national treasures so they can continue to produce the warfighting capability we need for deployed locations and operational bases around the world." Colonel Miller, a career logistics and maintenance officer, served as director of OC-ALC's Plans and Programs office until 2008, when he transferred to the propulsion maintenance group. The colonel said the two organizations have provided with him with great learning experiences that have made for exceptional accomplishments. As the Plans and Programs director, he helped secure Bldg. 9001 to make it part of the Tinker Aerospace Complex, and as the 76th PMXG commander, he helped increase production and stand up capabilities in that building. He's also faced several significant challenges including a decrease in manpower, to which he has helped increase the group to 2,000 personnel, new F117 engine workload, growing the F119 and F122 engine workloads, plus maintaining and adapting to other growing workloads. In addition to those challenges, Colonel Miller said he has also dealt with parts' shortages and transitioning his personnel to Bldg. 9001. "Without a doubt, what I am most proud of and my greatest challenge are one in the same," the colonel said. "Change has by far been my greatest challenge and I haven't ever seen change on this kind of scale anytime else in my career." But, his colleagues have nothing but praise for him. Col. Doug Cato, 76th Aircraft Maintenance Group commander, commended Colonel Miller for his achievements as part of the OC-ALC maintenance team. "He's been a great help to the aircraft maintenance group by facilitating and providing additional space for our KC-135 programmed depot maintenance ramp-up, going from 48 in fiscal 2009 to 64 by fiscal 2012," he said. Rhonda Holbert, a program analyst assigned to Colonel Miller's office for administrative work, said she learned a lot from him and is better for having known him. "Colonel Miller is an exemplary officer," she said. "I will miss him for his leadership skills, sense of humor and the way he always makes himself available to anyone under his command with his open door policy." Before he leaves for his next assignment, Colonel Miller praised his personnel for a job well done and offered advice to his successor and friend, Col. Robert Helgeson. "This has been a fantastic assignment and I'd like to pass on my 'thanks' to everyone I've gotten to work with," he said. "And to Colonel Helgeson, stay focused on priorities of safety, production and moving forward. Take time to get to know the people in the group and make sure everyone's working toward the same goal -- being safe, produce the highest quality parts and engines and produce what's necessary for the warfighter.