Lt. Col. Bell takes reins of 76th AMXG Published June 26, 2015 By John Parker Staff Writer TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Lt. Col. Kenyon K. Bell took command of the 3,400-member 76th Aircraft Maintenance Group during a June 17 ceremony in Bldg. 3001. Brig. Gen. Mark Johnson, commander of the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex, noted that the complex was saying farewell to one great leader, Col. Gerald "Jed" McCray, and welcoming another. "Kenyon has an established aircraft maintenance background and a proven track record of excellence," General Johnson said. "Make no mistake," the general continued, "Col. Kenyon Bell has paid his dues and has the right education and the right experience to be the absolute right person for this job at exactly the right time." Colonel Bell, who will be promoted to full colonel on July 31, is not moving far for his new command. He had been the deputy commander of Tinker's 76th Propulsion Maintenance Group since last July. The colonel told about 300 audience members that he is excited to join the 76th AMXG. Colonel Bell said the group is famous for its examples of efficiency highlighted in "Art of the Possible," the business operations guidebook of the Air Force Sustainment Center. "You are the cornerstone of what the AFSC Way talks about, and I'm interested in learning from you and taking us to the next level of 'Art of the Possible' results," Colonel Bell said. "I know that you will continue disciplined maintenance actions and to promote a culture of compliance and safety. We will continue to sustain the warfighter and enable combat airpower." Colonel Bell said he looks forward to working with the system program offices, supply chain professionals, the Defense Logistics Agency, ALC maintenance groups and other organizations. "This is a team sport - there's no doubt about it," he said. "It doesn't happen with one individual. It's all one team moving forward to make it happen." The South Carolina native joined the Air Force in 1995. The colonel's global assignments have included serving as the first commander of the 451st Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron, Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. His major awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal with one silver oak leaf cluster. He holds two master's degrees, one in military studies and another in national security and strategic studies. Colonel Bell thanked his wife, Lori, his parents in the audience, along with General Johnson and Colonel McCray. "Changes of command could be very difficult, could be very disruptive, but you have made it very smooth," the colonel said of McCray. General Johnson said Colonel McCray will be missed. During the ceremony, the colonel was awarded the Legion of Merit for his two-year leadership of the 76th AMXG. The general spoke of a few of the group's accomplishments during the colonel's tenure which included producing 316 aircraft with a 94 percent on-time production rate. The colonel also led a "phenomenal" transition to an all-organic KC-135 Programmed Depot Maintenance line, saving $2.75 million per aircraft, General Johnson said. "Col. Jed McCray has been nothing short of extraordinary with his vision, his leadership and his ability to execute the mission," General Johnson said. Colonel McCray said he was proud to have served with the 76th AMXG, "one of the best teams I've ever been associated with in my career." The colonel's next assignment is as deputy maintenance commander at Robins AFB, Ga. "What you've accomplished over the last few years has been absolutely amazing," the colonel said. "I can look back over the past two years in the Aircraft Maintenance Group and say you make me proud to have been part of the team that accomplished delivering safe, reliable aircraft that we owe to the warfighter out there." The 76th AMXG is responsible for depot repair, modification and overhaul of KC-135 aerial refueling tankers, E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft, B-1 and B-52 bombers, the Navy's E-6 strategic communications and battle management aircraft, plus work on KC-10 and C-130 airplanes.