Tinker DLA team welcomes new commander Published May 27, 2010 By Debra Bingham DSCR Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Col. Richard Schwing assumed command of Defense Logistics Agency Oklahoma City from Col. Kelly Larson during a change of command ceremony May 14 at the Tinker Club. Colonel Schwing comes to DLA Oklahoma City from the agency's headquarters at Fort Belvoir, Va., where he was deputy executive director of Materiel Policy, Process and Assessment. While there, he developed agency policy, including planning, order fulfillment, customer outreach and service in support of the 24,000-plus members of the DLA team. As a maintenance officer, Schwing has experience working with KC/RC-135, C-141, KC-10 and F-15 aircraft. Navy Rear Adm. Vince Griffith, Defense Supply Center Richmond commander, officiated at the ceremony. DSCR is DLA's aviation demand and supply chain manager based in Richmond, Va., and oversees operations at DLA Oklahoma City. Colonel Larson became the first commander of DLA Oklahoma City when it was activated in February 2008. More than 350 people from the 776th Maintenance Support Squadron transitioned to DLA as part of 2005 Base Realignment and Closure law mandating the transfer of supply, storage and distribution functions at service-run maintenance depots, industrial sites and shipyards to DLA. Admiral Griffith said Colonel Larson was a superb leader and a trailblazer who forged his own success story through innovation, collaboration and a steadfast commitment to supporting Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center customers here. "When the Air Force prepared to turn a former automotive plant into an aerospace complex, Colonel Larson's efforts ensured DLA was engaged in the plan," Admiral Griffith said. Admiral Griffith assured the DLA Oklahoma City team - and its Air Force customers - that Schwing would continue to build on the solid foundation Larson forged. "Throughout his career, Colonel Schwing has demonstrated his ability to lead teams and resolve challenges while achieving outstanding results," Griffith said. Colonel Schwing said he was proud to lead the DLA Oklahoma City team and looked forward to serving and supporting the ALC, and working through any challenges they may face. "I want to assure the team and Air Force folks we support that I am a 100 percent team player and will continue to build on the foundation Colonel Larson built," Schwing said. Colonel Larson thanked his wife, son and DLA team for their support. He is set to retire from the Air Force in July. While writing his speech, Colonel Larson said he was inspired by the DLA Oklahoma City coin, which features the DLA emblem and symbols unique to Oklahoma, along with inscriptions honoring the organization's history and future. "The coin has the words 'A proud Air Force history.' We were an Air Force organization with a history of support, which we've brought forward to DLA. It also has the words 'Limitless DLA future,' which describe the new processes, new job roles and functions that DLA has brought that will improve the team's ability to enhance support," Colonel Larson said. The coin also has a globe and an aircraft engraved on it, along with a chain that Larson said symbolizes the DLA supply chain and its link to the ALC.