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Maj. Gen. Gillett takes command of ALC

  • Published
  • By Brandice J. Armstrong
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., --  As his first order of business, the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center's newest commander spoke of his aspirations for Tinker and the Air Force.

Maj. Gen. P. David Gillett Jr. spoke to approximately 800 OC-ALC personnel and local community members at Bldg. 3001's Dock 5 ½ during a change of command ceremony Wednesday in which he succeeded Maj. Gen. Loren Reno.

"I have been consistently pleased with the teamwork and leadership Team Tinker provided as we addressed some of the most daunting sustainment issues I could imagine in our Combat Air Forces," he said.

"Looking to the future, we will continue to capitalize on our strengths -- our skilled work force, infrastructure and community support -- to deliver airpower to the nation.

"We will build and sustain a well-trained, educated, motivated and equipped work force. We will focus on giving our people the skills to sustain today's mission and provide the new skills needed for the future," said General Gillett. "We will also be accountable to one another to maintain high standards of quality and on-time delivery, everyday."

General Gillett comes to Tinker from Langley Air Force Base, Va., where he served as the director of Logistics at Air Combat Command Headquarters. He has a career rich in maintenance and logistics assignments. In his tenure, he's completed 18 assignments, one of which was at Tinker. From June 2000 to April 2001, he served as the director of the OC-ALC's Technology and Industrial Support Directorate.

Gen. Donald Hoffman, commander of Air Force Materiel Command, served as presiding officer for the ceremony.

"Dave, you come to Oklahoma City with the right set of skills, the leadership to do it and have an even greater world-class organization," General Hoffman said. "I am confident in the leadership of the men and women of the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center and know you will continue your outstanding contributions to our command and our Air Force."

General Gillett's predecessor, General Reno, was selected for promotion to lieutenant general and will become Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Installations and Mission Support for Air Force Headquarters at the Pentagon. General Reno had served as the OC-ALC commander since May 2007.

"Everyone wants to look back on their career and hope they made a difference, maybe leave a little legacy," said General Hoffman, "Loren, this tour is definitely part of your legacy."

General Reno thanked the OC-ALC personnel, colleagues and union representatives for their hard work, dedication and support to the warfighter. He wished the best for his friend General Gillett and compared Tinker to a child's affinity for a baseball mitt.

"This center has been a ball glove to me," General Reno said, "something that I cherish, something that has been a good fit for me, something that I give to a dear friend ... I've known David for nearly a decade. I know him to be a man of great integrity. He is a warfighter, talented logistician, and a great leader."