Technical Order Warehouse closes doors Published Sept. 18, 2009 By Brandice J. Armstrong Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- With mixed emotion, Rhonda Stacy visited Tinker's Technical Order Warehouse Sept. 11 for what presumably would be the last time. She was one of nearly 50 people who attended the closing ceremony in Bldg. 3. Guests, including Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center leadership and former employees, such as Ms. Stacy, sat in office chairs aligned in front of a makeshift stage. Behind the stage were numerous rows of empty metal shelves that at one time had stored technical orders. Following closing remarks, awards and coins were presented to four individuals who "made a difference." "This is a bittersweet event because a lot of people are very affected by what's happening today," said Russell Howard, director of the OC-ALC Engineering and Technical Management Directorate. "But change happens, and time has passed by this facility for 50 years." The technical order warehouse consisted of three bays totaling 92,000 square feet. During its tenure, the warehouse underwent two name changes and other transformations. In July 1988, the warehouse was named the "Technical Order and Decal Distribution Warehouse" and processed up to 70,000 technical orders per month. Managed by the Oklahoma League for the Blind, the warehouse received printed technical orders and changes, stored and updated the orders, and filled requests for the orders and decal distribution for aircraft housed at Tinker. The warehouse distributed and maintained inventory for weapons systems B-1, B-2, B-52, E-3 and KC-135 technical orders. There were also weapons systems for commodities, missiles, engines and contractor logistic support aircraft. In all, there were 100,000 line items. Several years later, the warehouse expanded its inventory as workload was transferred from McClellan Air Force Base, Calif. In 1996, the warehouse was renamed the "Prime Technical Order Distribution and Storage Warehouse" and underwent a consolidation effort. The technical order stock was moved to Bldg. 3 from Bldgs. 101 and 207. "We don't always talk about the unsung heroes like in TO distribution and the TO warehouse," said Col. Allen Jamerson, 72nd Air Base Wing and installation commander, "but, we all know that you're the ones that have made Tinker Air Force Base such a successful mission and I have a much greater appreciation today listening to the history of what you've done." Mr. Howard and Maj. Gen. David Gillett, OC-ALC commander, presented four individuals with "You Made a Difference" certificates and an OC-ALC/EN coin. They included Oran Wallace, Deborah Guinn, Lindell Lewis and Ms. Stacy. Ms. Stacy's award was presented to her as a "lifetime achievement" award. Having worked in the technical order business since 1985, she worked at the warehouse until 2008, when she was hired on as a government employee. She now works with electronic technical orders for the Foreign Military Sales department. "This place is like a baby or a kid leaving," Ms. Stacy said. "I put in so many hours and time here, it's sad it just goes away. I used to visit at least once a month and I don't know what I'll do now." Following the ceremony, Mr. Howard presented Colonel Jamerson with a large ornamental key signaling the transfer of the building from the engineering directorate to the 72nd ABW. The building officially closes its doors Sept. 30.