Col. Phillips new 76th CMXG commander Published July 23, 2009 By Brandice J. Armstrong Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Approximately 175 people witnessed the first change-of-command to be held at the Tinker Aerospace Complex during the 76th Commodities Maintenance Group's ceremony there July 15. During the ceremony, presided over by Brig. Gen. Bruce Litchfield, 76th Maintenance Wing commander, Col. Herbert Phillips succeeded Col. Jeffrey Sick as commander. The general also presented Colonel Sick with a Meritorious Service Medal - fourth oak leaf cluster. "Herb, we're really glad you're here," said General Litchfield. "You have a stellar reputation and if ever I was going to use the word 'warrior,' you'd fit it." Before coming to Tinker, Colonel Phillips was the 386th Expeditionary Maintenance Group commander in southwest Asia. He held that position since June 2008. As 76th CMXG commander, General Litchfield said Colonel Phillips will face new challenges, including an increase in workload. "What we're trying to do next year is bring on 1 million more hours of work," General Litchfield said. Colonel Phillips said he is ready for the challenge. "My expectations for this group are pretty straight-forward," said Colonel Phillips. "We'll do our jobs the best that we can. We'll do our work safely and most importantly, we'll do our work by the book." Colonel Sick left Tinker to become the vice commander at the Air Force Global Logistics Support Center at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. "Jeff, when you look back and judge how well a commander did, I think there's only one criteria - if the unit is better when you leave than when you started," General Litchfield, " ... in my book, you're a success." During Colonel Sick's tenure, he consolidated personnel from 26 dilapidated facilities to eight buildings and ultimately moving 65 percent of the 76th CMXG's largest unit into the TAC. Colonel Sick also oversaw the production of 120,000 units per year, equaling 2.1-million man hours to support 774 various aircraft. "I truly believe commodities are the backbone of our Air Force depot system," said Colonel Sick. Before his departure, General Litchfield presented him with a Meritorious Service Award - fourth oak leaf cluster.