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Col. Torick takes lead at 827th ACSG

  • Published
  • By Brandice J. Armstrong
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Col. Robert Torick Jr. succeeded Col. James Nally as the 827th Aircraft Sustainment Group commander June 17.

During the change of command ceremony held at the Tinker Club June 17, Col. Paul Waugh, 327th Aircraft Sustainment Wing commander and presiding officer, offered one piece of advice to the new commander.

"Sharing success and owning failure, if you follow those words for the next three years, you'll be successful," said Colonel Waugh. The colonel said the words come from the title of a book, which he has given to company grade officers in the past few years. The book, "Sharing Success--Owning Failure: Preparing to Command in the Twenty-First Century Air Force" was written by Brig. Gen. David L. Goldfein, director of Programs for the Office of the deputy chief of Staff for Strategic Plans and Programs at the U.S. Air Force Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Colonel Torick came to Tinker from the 558th Aircraft Sustainment Group at the Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill AFB, Utah, where he was the deputy director. At Ogden ALC, the 558th ACSG primarily cares for the T-37 Tweet, T-38 Talon, aerial targets and aircraft and weapon system simulators.

Colonel Torick was commissioned in June 1986 from the New Jersey Institute of Technology Air Force ROTC program. As an acquisition-career officer, the colonel worked in several engineering and program management leadership positions.

"Colonel Nally, you're leaving a great program in great shape," Colonel Torick said. "Thank you for your leadership over the last few years. Under your guidance, C/KC-135 is a more effective and capable aircraft. You've forged a solid, cohesive group and I hope under my tenure, I can achieve similar results. You set the bar high and I'll do my best to push that bar higher.

"... We'll need to continue to work our processes, tackle some tough challenges and make some difficult decisions, but we'll do it together and do what is right for this aircraft, the U.S. Air Force and this great country of ours," the colonel said. "So, if you're ready, I'm ready. Let's get 'er done."

Colonel Nally was part of the team that helped modernize and keep the KC-135 structurally sound. He also brainstormed ways to improve the Aircraft Availability Improvement Program and keep more KC-135 airborne until its retirement in 2040.

"I think the greatest legacy James has left to Tinker Air Force Base and to the Air Force are you all," Colonel Waugh said. "The great team he has put in place and mentored on the KC-135 program.'"

Colonel Nally thanked Colonel Waugh for his kind words, and thanked the group for their efforts.

"I am truly honored to have been your commander for the past three years," Colonel Nally said. "Your dedication and unwavering support to the warfighter is a true inspiration."