Lt. Col. Larson takes command of DDOO Published Aug. 30, 2007 By Stacy L. Umstead Defense Distribution Center Command Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- In a ceremony held Aug. 14, United States Air Force Lt. Col. Kelly J. Larson assumed command of the Defense Distribution Depot Oklahoma City, Okla. Brig. Gen. Lynn A. Collyar, Defense Distribution Center commander, presided over the ceremony. Guests at the ceremony included key customers from the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, Tinker Air Force Base, as well as Col. Larson's family, including his father and mentor Bernard Larson, a highly decorated retired Army veteran who received the Silver Star, the Bronze Star (with three Oak Leaf Clusters) and the Air Medal. He served in both Korea and Vietnam. Before charging the younger Larson with responsibility of command of DDOO, Gen. Collyar acknowledged the elder Mr. Larson's service. "It is Soldiers like you that have paved the way and set the foundation for our military today," the general said. "I commend you; and on behalf of a grateful nation, I sincerely thank you for your service to this great country." Col. Larson is no stranger to Oklahoma City and the ALC. "Kelly comes to DDOO after a year at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, but prior to that, he served here in Oklahoma City as the deputy director for the 848th Combat Sustainment Group," Gen. Collyar said. "He knows what this place is all about and that is critical to understanding where we are coming from as we work with the ALC to move to continual improvements, striving to not only meet the requirements of the opportunities ahead of us, but to provide the absolute best support we can for our warfighters around the world." As Col. Larson accepted responsibility of command of DDOO, he shared his excitement. "I am extremely happy, both professionally and personally, to be taking command of DDOO; this is a great opportunity to lead an outstanding organization that is a key link in the supply chain," said Col. Larson. "In addition, this assignment allows me to be stationed with my children. I don't know how this happened, but there is no place I would rather be stationed and I consider this a great gift that has been given to me." Col. Larson continued by addressing his work force and sharing his vision. "During my short time here, I've been able to get out and visit the DDOO facilities and see the people working hard to perform the mission," he said. "I would like to take this opportunity to pass on three focus areas: We need to ensure that we take care of the most important resources we have -- and that is our people. "Safety should be everyone's primary job and I would ask that we all accept the responsibility to make our work environment as safe as possible. "Next, as we seek to maximize the efficiency of our processes for our link in the supply chain; we must ensure we evaluate the impact of our actions on our partners up and down the supply chain," Col. Larson continued. "Lastly, I look forward to working with our local union partners. "As DDOO has many challenges and opportunities ahead of us, I am committed to doing my part to work toward solutions that meet everyone's needs, with continuous focus on our workforce and the mission of supporting the warfighter." Col. Larson is a career aircraft maintenance officer. In addition to the numerous field level positions held throughout his career, Col. Larson has served on the Pacific Air Force Headquarters staff and has had two assignments at ALCs, as a Logistics Career Broadening Program officer at Ogden Air Logistics Center, Utah, and a deputy group director at Tinker. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and the Air Force Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster.