OC-ALC commander looks back on Tinker experience, mission

Published Jan. 5, 2009
By Brandice J. Armstrong
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., -- Maj. Gen. Loren Reno could have coined the phrase, "There is no 'I' in 'team.'" As commander of the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, he is often heard saying, the work performed in the ALC is not a reflection of him, but of his team.

On Wednesday, the general, who is selected for promotion to lieutenant general, will resign his post as "team leader" and report to his next assignment as Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Installations and Mission Support for Air Force Headquarters. But, before leaving Tinker, the general reflected on his time here and the people who helped accomplish the ALC's missions.

"I think our best accomplishments are not things I have done, but things the people have done -- command and Air Force-level awards, industry-standard recognitions and promotions," said General Reno. "Those are all great accomplishments of this center, but it doesn't have as much to do with me, as it does with our people."

General Reno arrived for his third Tinker assignment in May 2007. He had previously been stationed here for back-to-back assignments from February 1998 to June 2002.

When the general arrived in 2007, he said his goals were to improve the already-efficient ALC, sustain transformation and keep morale high.

Not only did he achieve his initial goals, but he implemented new programs so the ALC will continue to strive for excellence. Among them are the five strategic goals, designed to map the center's future successes. The goals include: securing the right workload, leaning and transforming the ALC, leading aircraft availability improvement program achievement, improving ALC operations through the Defense Logistics Agency and Air Force Global Logistics Support Agency and developing people ... better!

General Reno also helped introduce new workloads and projects. They include the KC-10 Extender paint workload, for which the 76th Maintenance Wing received the first-ever Federal Aviation Administration's repair station certification and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Voluntary Protection Program, which helps reduce preventable mishaps and illnesses.

"I've seen a lot of improvement in efficiency -- in cost reduction, reduced flow days and better support to the warfighter," General Reno said. "Visitors to this center tell me that our leadership team is doing well and our innovative culture is really embedded in the organization. Beyond that, there are indicators and metrics that validate all these things."

The general said the ALC and his team of military, civilians and contractors were able to complete the tasks, despite an everyday challenge of resource constraints by being innovative, creative and allowing his people to brainstorm solutions.

"Being a part of a team that takes supporting the warfighter seriously has been a great accomplishment," the general said. "It's a privilege to serve with people in whom I have so much confidence and for whom I have so much respect."

Using his knowledge from Tinker and past assignments, General Reno said he is well-equipped for his next position and those thereafter.

"The time at Tinker, and other assignments I've had before, have been good preparation for me," the general said. "I think being here has given me confidence in innovation and the willingness it takes to move the Air Force forward."