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Colonel Ruthardt assumes command of DLA Aviation OKC

  • Published
  • By Kimberly Woodruff
  • Staff Writer
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Col. Kenton Ruthardt is the new commander of DLA Aviation at Oklahoma City. He assumed command during an Aug. 6 ceremony at Hollywood and Vine in Bldg. 3001.

Brig. Gen. Mark K. Johnson, DLA Aviation commander, traveled from Richmond, Va., to officiate the ceremony.

"It's important to recognize the great foundation set by Col. Rex Adee as the previous commander in a difficult time in this organization and the Air Force Sustainment Center," said General Johnson. "Now it's time for Colonel Ruthardt to take the reins and we are lucky to have him."

Colonel Ruthardt was previously the director of Logistics at United States Special Operations Command headquarters at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. He has also served as director of Logistics for NATO Air Training Command, Kabul, Afghanistan; chief of Weapon System Support Policy at U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein Air Base, Germany; and as chief of Supply Inspections for Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va.

"I promise we're going to put all that experience to good use," said General Johnson, speaking to Colonel Ruthardt. "I have high expectations and I know you will deliver. You're dedicated to excellence, improvement and have strategic vision. That's what this organization needs right now."

As the Industrial Support commander, Colonel Ruthardt will serve as the single DLA face to the customer for all DLA organizations at Tinker and is responsible for the daily operations of all retail-level supply, storage and distribution support.

But, General Johnson said, Colonel Ruthardt won't be alone. He has the full support of 3,500 dedicated men and women in DLA Aviation along with $3 billion in resources.

The general advised Colonel Ruthardt to keep the warfighter first, ensure there are no gaps in processes and procedures and to break down barriers.

"I've been here a few weeks, long enough to understand how complex the depot business is to deliver air power to the warfighter downrange," said Colonel Ruthardt. "DLA is a key partner in that team and will continue to be so.

"Make no mistake of the impact this depot is having on operations downrange," he said.
"I've been a customer for 24 years and you are having an impact downrange for the warfighter."

Colonel Ruthardt said the depot's impact is felt worldwide.

"There is more air power in this complex than many countries around the world," he said.
He recalled that his uncle, retired Chief Master Sgt. Lynn Brown, guarded the B-52 when he was just an Airman, and he retired 35 years ago.

"The planes are still in use, and that doesn't happen without this depot," he said. "I'm proud of the mission and what we do.

"We'll continue down the path to support the warfighter and we must demand the best of ourselves and those around us. The mission deserves it, the warriors deserve it, and the taxpayers deserve it."