Activation ceremony marks change for 72nd LRS Published April 24, 2009 By Howdy Stout Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., -- Roy A. Piatt became the first civilian commander of an Air Force logistics readiness squadron during an activation ceremony last week that transformed the 72nd Logistics Readiness Division into the 72nd Logistics Readiness Squadron. The standing down of the division and standing up of the squadron comes after changes to the Air Force's logistics organization, which now allows civilian commanders of Air Force squadron-level units. Mr. Piatt, who also commanded the 72nd LRD, served as the unit's last civilian commander. "It's a historic moment," Mr. Piatt said. "I'm the last division leader and the first squadron commander." Mr. Piatt, a former active duty Airman and current member of the Missouri Air National Guard, says the Air Force should treat its squadron-level civilian commanders as their uniformed counterparts by moving them from assignment to assignment in order to learn a broader range of skills. "And to take those skills and abilities to the next level and the next unit," he said. The 72nd LRS provides logistical support to several wings and the 45 tenant units based at Tinker. The unit controls resources valued at more than $1.5 billion. "The 72nd LRS at Tinker supports four wings and 45 tenant organizations as well as the ALC and aspects of logistical support they might need," Mr. Piatt said. "It's the largest and most complex logistics operation in the Air Force inventory." "Logistics is a tough business and their ability to quickly focus on the common goal of providing the best possible logistics support to team tinker has been extraordinary," said Col. James Eilers, commander of the 72nd Mission Support Group. Himself the first commander of an LRS based at Misawa Air Base, Colonel Eilers had praise for the work done by the 72nd LRS. Logistics at Tinker within the past 12 months, he said, have refueled more than 8,100 aircraft with 33 million gallons of fuel, issued 15,000 airline tickets for travel, worked 155 missions with 4,000 passengers and 1,400 short tons of cargo in addition to maintaining 1,200 vehicles. "Mr. Piatt has been leading this organization for about a year and I am very proud of his leadership abilities and the focused dedication to mission accomplishment by his entire team," he said. Mr. Piatt also praised the work done by his unit. "I am not the reason for the success of this unit," Mr. Piatt said. "I have to give full credit to each individual assigned to the LRS whether that person being an active duty military member, Air National Guard member, Air Force Reserve member, federal civilian, or our contracting mission partners, as well as our one retired volunteer, these professionals make it happen 24/7. I also want to add just as important to the success of the logistics mission is the great support I've received from my chain of command, both Colonel Eilers and Col. Allen Jamerson have never flinched when the LRS required their personal involvement." "You're the ones who make this happen," he told them during the activation ceremony. "It's not about me, it's about you. I'm proud to be part of this team." The activation of the LRS squadron is the culmination of seven years worth or reorganizations among the Air Force's logistical support. In 2002 the Air Force reorganized logistics and maintenance. "In 2008, just last year, the Air Force again restructured the logistics readiness squadrons and divisions, modifying the makeup of the organization to four branches from the five it had previously," explained Colonel Eilers. "The processes have been leaned out and we now have the material management, fuels management, vehicle management and deployment and distribution branches." The reorganization also changed the names of Logistics Readiness Divisions to squadrons and allowed for civilian squadron leaders. Mr. Piatt, who took command of the 72nd LRD in February 2008, has a long history of logistical service. Previous assignments include working at the U.S. Transportation Command at Scott Air Force Base, Ill, and as director of logistics for the Missouri Air National Guard. He also deployed to Iraq as engineering installation logistics officer. "And I'll deploy again as either a civilian or military if the call comes," he added. Despite the name change, Mr. Piatt said the work of the unit continues. "LRS is here to serve," he said. "We stand ready 24/7 to support the global supply chain."