1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 2 00:00:15,079 --> 00:00:17,149 Hello everybody and welcome to this 3 00:00:17,149 --> 00:00:19,260 episode of the Tinker Talks podcast . 4 00:00:19,260 --> 00:00:21,371 This is your podcast that talks about 5 00:00:21,371 --> 00:00:23,482 all things happening behind the fence 6 00:00:23,482 --> 00:00:25,482 line at Tinker Air Force Base . I'm 7 00:00:25,482 --> 00:00:27,205 your host Mark Hibers from the 8 00:00:27,205 --> 00:00:29,149 seventy-second Air Base wing , and 9 00:00:29,149 --> 00:00:31,316 today we have a great guest , uh , one 10 00:00:31,316 --> 00:00:33,538 that we've had on before , not in video 11 00:00:33,538 --> 00:00:35,482 last time . We just did it in , in 12 00:00:35,482 --> 00:00:37,649 audio , but , uh . Excited to have him 13 00:00:37,649 --> 00:00:39,705 back and sadly also to say that it's 14 00:00:39,705 --> 00:00:42,639 it's an outgoing podcast uh we're with 15 00:00:42,639 --> 00:00:45,240 the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex 16 00:00:45,240 --> 00:00:47,599 commander Brigadier General Brian Moore 17 00:00:47,599 --> 00:00:49,655 and sir good morning good morning or 18 00:00:49,655 --> 00:00:51,877 good afternoon I guess we've we've just 19 00:00:51,877 --> 00:00:53,877 snuck over the line . So thanks for 20 00:00:53,877 --> 00:00:55,932 joining us , sir . Really happy that 21 00:00:55,932 --> 00:00:57,988 you got a chance to come back and uh 22 00:00:57,988 --> 00:01:00,043 we're sad to see you going but we'll 23 00:01:00,043 --> 00:01:02,155 we'll get into that a little bit more 24 00:01:02,155 --> 00:01:04,266 as we move along through awesome so . 25 00:01:04,266 --> 00:01:06,432 Um , we're we're gonna jump in because 26 00:01:06,432 --> 00:01:08,488 it's been a couple of years since we 27 00:01:08,488 --> 00:01:10,488 had sat down and and talked through 28 00:01:10,488 --> 00:01:12,488 things , but we're gonna go back to 29 00:01:12,488 --> 00:01:14,266 some of your priorities that we 30 00:01:14,266 --> 00:01:16,432 discussed the first time and of course 31 00:01:16,432 --> 00:01:18,655 you had a list of your priorities , but 32 00:01:18,655 --> 00:01:18,430 one of those priorities was talking 33 00:01:18,430 --> 00:01:21,239 about , uh , creating or standing up a 34 00:01:21,239 --> 00:01:23,720 digital depot . So if you could just 35 00:01:23,720 --> 00:01:25,942 kind of remind us of what digital depot 36 00:01:25,942 --> 00:01:28,279 means and where that's that's gone to 37 00:01:28,279 --> 00:01:31,675 this point . Thanks Mark . So first . I 38 00:01:31,675 --> 00:01:34,008 appreciate the opportunity to come back , 39 00:01:34,008 --> 00:01:36,231 uh , for , for multiple reasons in part 40 00:01:36,231 --> 00:01:38,397 because you know a lot has happened in 41 00:01:38,397 --> 00:01:41,175 2 years . I feel like it's gone so fast 42 00:01:41,504 --> 00:01:43,785 and yet so much has been achieved that 43 00:01:43,785 --> 00:01:45,745 it's it's appropriate to have a 44 00:01:45,745 --> 00:01:47,967 conversation with you and talk to folks 45 00:01:47,967 --> 00:01:50,135 about it and uh help them understand 46 00:01:50,135 --> 00:01:52,800 some of the implications which . Which 47 00:01:52,800 --> 00:01:56,569 is daily execution but it's 48 00:01:56,569 --> 00:01:58,889 also looking at the future of what it 49 00:01:58,889 --> 00:02:01,000 means for the organic industrial base 50 00:02:01,000 --> 00:02:04,370 so questions about priorities , you 51 00:02:04,370 --> 00:02:06,426 know , 2 years ago , at least in one 52 00:02:06,426 --> 00:02:08,970 case we talked about digital depot . I 53 00:02:08,970 --> 00:02:11,610 think , I think digital digitalization 54 00:02:11,610 --> 00:02:13,809 of the workforce and the digital depot 55 00:02:14,330 --> 00:02:16,179 along with manufacturing and 56 00:02:16,179 --> 00:02:18,179 specifically advanced manufacturing 57 00:02:18,179 --> 00:02:21,990 were two . Critical areas that had to 58 00:02:21,990 --> 00:02:24,789 be advanced and I'm pleased to say that 59 00:02:24,789 --> 00:02:26,900 the team has really embraced that and 60 00:02:26,900 --> 00:02:29,009 and they were embracing it when I 61 00:02:29,009 --> 00:02:32,199 arrived , but now we've put some real 62 00:02:32,199 --> 00:02:34,630 plans in place to further it and look 63 00:02:34,630 --> 00:02:36,797 towards the future and what that means 64 00:02:36,797 --> 00:02:38,574 for this depot digital depot in 65 00:02:38,574 --> 00:02:41,550 particular . Um , you know , gets more 66 00:02:41,550 --> 00:02:43,619 specific . We have initiatives like 67 00:02:43,910 --> 00:02:45,632 thinking about training in our 68 00:02:45,632 --> 00:02:48,380 workforce development , AR , VR , 69 00:02:48,389 --> 00:02:51,029 virtual reality training , AI for 70 00:02:51,029 --> 00:02:53,229 really understanding what needs to be 71 00:02:53,229 --> 00:02:55,340 trained to look into workloads in the 72 00:02:55,340 --> 00:02:57,869 future , you know , if you think about 73 00:02:57,869 --> 00:03:00,649 what that means and how people learn 74 00:03:00,649 --> 00:03:04,080 and train and develop . We have to 75 00:03:04,080 --> 00:03:05,913 transform the workforce , so I'm 76 00:03:05,913 --> 00:03:08,080 pleased to say that the the leadership 77 00:03:08,080 --> 00:03:10,302 team here has done a great job thinking 78 00:03:10,302 --> 00:03:12,413 through that problem set and bringing 79 00:03:12,413 --> 00:03:14,580 some initiatives in that have plans of 80 00:03:14,580 --> 00:03:16,413 action behind them , um , on the 81 00:03:16,413 --> 00:03:18,580 manufacturing side , which is really a 82 00:03:18,580 --> 00:03:20,247 form of digital think reverse 83 00:03:20,247 --> 00:03:22,880 engineering activities , um , and then 84 00:03:22,880 --> 00:03:24,713 how that translates to tech data 85 00:03:24,713 --> 00:03:28,119 packages and being able to then produce 86 00:03:28,119 --> 00:03:30,240 parts with the tech data that we 87 00:03:30,240 --> 00:03:32,809 created . Um , it's amazing what this 88 00:03:32,809 --> 00:03:34,865 team has done , not just to bring in 89 00:03:34,865 --> 00:03:36,976 capability and capacity , um , but to 90 00:03:36,976 --> 00:03:39,253 also bring in workload . Uh , you know , 91 00:03:39,253 --> 00:03:41,420 I think since I arrived here two years 92 00:03:41,420 --> 00:03:44,850 ago , it's been 10fold of increased 93 00:03:44,850 --> 00:03:47,210 workload . Um , we're just assessing 94 00:03:47,210 --> 00:03:50,009 the hours and literally 10 times the 95 00:03:50,009 --> 00:03:52,065 amount of workload since when we had 96 00:03:52,065 --> 00:03:54,287 this conversation previously , so those 97 00:03:54,287 --> 00:03:56,342 are two major kind of future looking 98 00:03:56,342 --> 00:04:00,080 things . On top of that , our daily 99 00:04:00,080 --> 00:04:02,191 business of producing the promise and 100 00:04:02,191 --> 00:04:04,570 meeting commitments to our war fighters 101 00:04:05,000 --> 00:04:07,222 has still , you know , keeping the main 102 00:04:07,222 --> 00:04:09,389 thing the main thing has still been at 103 00:04:09,389 --> 00:04:11,500 the top of our list , and I'm pleased 104 00:04:11,500 --> 00:04:13,722 to say , you know , where certain areas 105 00:04:13,722 --> 00:04:16,209 might have regressed a touch when I was 106 00:04:16,209 --> 00:04:18,869 here , uh , earlier , you know , we 107 00:04:18,869 --> 00:04:21,200 have no kidding , recovered in some 108 00:04:21,200 --> 00:04:24,000 areas exceeded in other areas . Um , 109 00:04:24,059 --> 00:04:26,115 we're working with the enterprise to 110 00:04:26,115 --> 00:04:28,739 really advance some of those tougher 111 00:04:28,739 --> 00:04:31,779 workloads both on the aircraft engines 112 00:04:31,779 --> 00:04:33,890 and the exchangeable side , and we've 113 00:04:33,890 --> 00:04:36,320 got good plans for execution , uh , on , 114 00:04:36,410 --> 00:04:38,688 on how to keep meeting our commitments . 115 00:04:38,688 --> 00:04:41,500 So this , this depot is fantastic in 116 00:04:41,500 --> 00:04:43,809 meeting its its requirements and , uh , 117 00:04:44,059 --> 00:04:46,281 they've been doing that every day since 118 00:04:46,281 --> 00:04:49,010 I arrived . It's a unique place here , 119 00:04:49,140 --> 00:04:51,380 this depot , and it's , it's hard to . 120 00:04:52,079 --> 00:04:54,190 Explain it it's hard to talk about it 121 00:04:54,190 --> 00:04:56,357 you know it's very , it's very old . I 122 00:04:56,357 --> 00:04:58,301 mean it's , it's kind of the whole 123 00:04:58,301 --> 00:05:00,880 reason that Tinker is here is kind of 124 00:05:00,880 --> 00:05:02,936 what started in this building , um , 125 00:05:03,200 --> 00:05:06,279 and of course the the work force is 126 00:05:06,279 --> 00:05:09,239 kind of creeping along in age so when 127 00:05:09,239 --> 00:05:11,489 you come in and you start talking about 128 00:05:11,489 --> 00:05:13,839 digital depot , you know that's 129 00:05:13,839 --> 00:05:16,670 probably a lot for for some people to 130 00:05:17,040 --> 00:05:19,890 grasp the concept and even I mean AI 131 00:05:19,890 --> 00:05:22,019 was kind of coming around but . You 132 00:05:22,019 --> 00:05:24,297 know when you started talking about it , 133 00:05:24,297 --> 00:05:26,408 sir , like that really wasn't what it 134 00:05:26,408 --> 00:05:28,352 is now like AI was not quite where 135 00:05:28,352 --> 00:05:30,980 we're at today , so very innovative and 136 00:05:30,980 --> 00:05:33,859 uh creative and and definitely good 137 00:05:33,859 --> 00:05:36,081 forward thinking by our leadership here 138 00:05:36,081 --> 00:05:38,829 to to be able to get the train of 139 00:05:38,829 --> 00:05:42,690 thought in and and get . People of like 140 00:05:42,690 --> 00:05:44,970 me that are you know sizzling along in 141 00:05:44,970 --> 00:05:47,081 age , right ? They're like we have to 142 00:05:47,081 --> 00:05:49,730 grasp that and and and embrace it and 143 00:05:49,730 --> 00:05:52,529 move on . So yeah , I just , just to 144 00:05:52,529 --> 00:05:54,640 expand a little bit I mean I think we 145 00:05:54,640 --> 00:05:56,751 need to recognize and I probably said 146 00:05:56,751 --> 00:05:58,696 at the first podcast , but in this 147 00:05:58,696 --> 00:06:01,730 depot our mission . Is combat ready air 148 00:06:01,730 --> 00:06:03,897 power to produce it for the warfighter 149 00:06:03,897 --> 00:06:06,119 and that includes the oldest old stuff 150 00:06:06,119 --> 00:06:08,209 as you kind of alluded to as well as 151 00:06:08,209 --> 00:06:10,376 the newest new right , bringing in the 152 00:06:10,376 --> 00:06:14,279 B-21 , the expanding the KC-46 campus , 153 00:06:14,369 --> 00:06:17,890 both of those platforms are completely 154 00:06:17,890 --> 00:06:21,410 digital platforms , you know , um , you 155 00:06:21,410 --> 00:06:24,519 know , we like to say if if the KC-135 156 00:06:24,850 --> 00:06:27,160 has , you know , 100,000 lines of code 157 00:06:27,160 --> 00:06:29,910 in it . You know , the KC 46 has 158 00:06:29,910 --> 00:06:32,230 millions of lines of code in it , and 159 00:06:32,230 --> 00:06:34,869 we're talking digital maintenance in 160 00:06:34,869 --> 00:06:37,190 that regard , right ? So you kind of 161 00:06:37,190 --> 00:06:39,412 gotta have the , uh , the ability , the 162 00:06:39,412 --> 00:06:41,634 capability to do the oldest old and the 163 00:06:41,634 --> 00:06:43,857 newest new , right ? It's wild to think 164 00:06:43,857 --> 00:06:45,968 about . I mean it's just hard to wrap 165 00:06:45,968 --> 00:06:47,912 your brain around so over the last 166 00:06:47,912 --> 00:06:49,912 couple of years you've had a lot of 167 00:06:49,912 --> 00:06:52,690 successes . Running this group in this 168 00:06:52,700 --> 00:06:54,922 this very large command , can you think 169 00:06:54,922 --> 00:06:56,978 of one that stands out that might be 170 00:06:56,978 --> 00:07:00,260 your biggest or your best ? So I'm so 171 00:07:00,260 --> 00:07:03,859 what kept me up at night was in some 172 00:07:03,859 --> 00:07:07,809 ways the , you know , we are 173 00:07:07,809 --> 00:07:10,359 the strategic center of excellence for 174 00:07:10,359 --> 00:07:14,040 propulsion , uh , this complex is 175 00:07:14,380 --> 00:07:16,589 and uh . You know what kept me up at 176 00:07:16,589 --> 00:07:18,989 night was making sure we're being able 177 00:07:18,989 --> 00:07:21,510 to execute on the propulsion and , you 178 00:07:21,510 --> 00:07:23,677 know , probably kept me up at night on 179 00:07:23,677 --> 00:07:25,950 aircraft too , but , but that has been 180 00:07:25,950 --> 00:07:28,006 consistent and standard over time as 181 00:07:28,006 --> 00:07:29,728 has exchangeable commodities , 182 00:07:29,728 --> 00:07:31,950 different commodity lines , but engines 183 00:07:31,950 --> 00:07:35,339 is , is such a strategic , uh , work , 184 00:07:35,350 --> 00:07:39,029 work at , um , high technology , you 185 00:07:39,029 --> 00:07:42,010 know , very costly . And 186 00:07:42,019 --> 00:07:45,220 every weapon system and and 187 00:07:45,220 --> 00:07:47,299 mission across the Air Force are 188 00:07:47,299 --> 00:07:49,243 dependent on our on our ability to 189 00:07:49,243 --> 00:07:51,450 produce thrust , right ? And so on our 190 00:07:51,450 --> 00:07:55,220 16 engine lines , um , what concerned 191 00:07:55,220 --> 00:07:57,164 me the most was progressing them , 192 00:07:57,164 --> 00:07:59,387 meeting the commitments and thinking to 193 00:07:59,387 --> 00:08:02,250 the future , probably the , the one of 194 00:08:02,250 --> 00:08:04,306 the great , there's a bunch of great 195 00:08:04,306 --> 00:08:06,306 achievements , but one of the great 196 00:08:06,306 --> 00:08:08,472 achievements is the way the enterprise 197 00:08:08,472 --> 00:08:10,639 has really come together over the last 198 00:08:10,639 --> 00:08:12,750 two years . To think about the future 199 00:08:12,750 --> 00:08:15,730 of organic propulsion and I'm just 200 00:08:15,730 --> 00:08:17,897 proud to say working with Mr . Snedden 201 00:08:17,897 --> 00:08:20,720 and the LP team . That we are thinking 202 00:08:20,730 --> 00:08:24,290 about and and planning for strategic 203 00:08:24,290 --> 00:08:26,410 propulsion workloads in the future we 204 00:08:26,410 --> 00:08:28,920 were already working F-135 engines . 205 00:08:29,250 --> 00:08:31,609 We're planning for the future on that 206 00:08:31,609 --> 00:08:33,729 uh collectively with our industry 207 00:08:33,729 --> 00:08:35,840 partners Pratt Whitney in that case , 208 00:08:35,929 --> 00:08:37,880 um , but we're also thinking about 209 00:08:38,369 --> 00:08:41,080 bringing in , you know , T108 workload 210 00:08:41,080 --> 00:08:45,039 and , you know , whatever future engine , 211 00:08:45,409 --> 00:08:47,576 uh , propulsion requirements look like 212 00:08:47,576 --> 00:08:50,750 we're working that . Um , the KC 46 213 00:08:50,750 --> 00:08:54,210 F-139 potential just a whole lot of 214 00:08:54,210 --> 00:08:56,710 future planning activities that are 215 00:08:56,710 --> 00:08:59,429 really coming together and , um , those 216 00:08:59,429 --> 00:09:01,540 were unknowns the last time you and I 217 00:09:01,540 --> 00:09:03,669 had this conversation and so probably 218 00:09:03,669 --> 00:09:05,840 one of the , the greater achievements 219 00:09:05,840 --> 00:09:08,429 is that those planning efforts you know 220 00:09:08,429 --> 00:09:10,590 across the enterprise across with the 221 00:09:10,590 --> 00:09:13,409 defense industrial base are really . Uh , 222 00:09:13,469 --> 00:09:15,358 coming together still significant 223 00:09:15,358 --> 00:09:17,525 constraints , you know , I mean , like 224 00:09:17,525 --> 00:09:19,525 I said , materiality , technology , 225 00:09:19,830 --> 00:09:22,469 engines are tough , but I , I think if , 226 00:09:22,510 --> 00:09:24,788 if we keep the focus on it like we are , 227 00:09:24,989 --> 00:09:27,100 um , we're gonna be in a good place , 228 00:09:27,100 --> 00:09:29,211 and that includes the test cells that 229 00:09:29,211 --> 00:09:31,520 go with it in this case . We're looking 230 00:09:31,520 --> 00:09:33,353 at agile common engine test cell 231 00:09:33,353 --> 00:09:36,479 capability that that spreads engine 232 00:09:36,479 --> 00:09:40,229 test across the continuum of engines in 233 00:09:40,369 --> 00:09:42,559 in in this depot so really excited 234 00:09:42,559 --> 00:09:44,781 about that plenty of other achievements 235 00:09:44,781 --> 00:09:46,892 to talk about , but that's one that's 236 00:09:46,892 --> 00:09:48,892 uh so strategic in nature . We'd be 237 00:09:48,892 --> 00:09:51,003 here for a couple of days probably if 238 00:09:51,003 --> 00:09:53,170 we talked about all the achievements . 239 00:09:53,170 --> 00:09:55,281 It's a good group over here , but you 240 00:09:55,281 --> 00:09:57,392 bring up an interesting point that we 241 00:09:57,392 --> 00:09:59,281 didn't , we didn't really plan to 242 00:09:59,281 --> 00:10:01,281 discuss , but it's , it's the . The 243 00:10:01,281 --> 00:10:03,226 future workload , I think a lot of 244 00:10:03,226 --> 00:10:05,448 people I don't think ever write or they 245 00:10:05,448 --> 00:10:08,460 really quite realize that there's like 246 00:10:08,460 --> 00:10:10,989 a team under you that is consistently 247 00:10:10,989 --> 00:10:14,349 looking for what are we working on 510 248 00:10:14,349 --> 00:10:16,460 years from now , you know , as this . 249 00:10:16,919 --> 00:10:19,141 Maybe this platform starts to phase out 250 00:10:19,141 --> 00:10:21,308 like how are we going to keep bringing 251 00:10:21,308 --> 00:10:23,640 this and I think that's that's huge 252 00:10:23,640 --> 00:10:27,400 yeah so under our OB team , uh , Marcus 253 00:10:27,400 --> 00:10:30,080 Torga and then Jimmy James in our 254 00:10:30,080 --> 00:10:32,719 planning OBP planning , they've done 255 00:10:32,719 --> 00:10:34,775 some incredible work to really think 256 00:10:34,775 --> 00:10:36,719 about the future and it's not just 257 00:10:36,719 --> 00:10:38,719 thinking about it there's , there's 258 00:10:38,719 --> 00:10:40,886 distinct planning activities that have 259 00:10:40,886 --> 00:10:43,108 to take place to activate workloads and 260 00:10:43,108 --> 00:10:45,441 they're doing all that integration . Um , 261 00:10:45,441 --> 00:10:47,441 and set up and so they've , they've 262 00:10:47,441 --> 00:10:47,219 really done a great job , particularly 263 00:10:47,219 --> 00:10:49,441 on the propulsion front , but I mean on 264 00:10:49,441 --> 00:10:51,386 the commodities front too . I mean 265 00:10:51,386 --> 00:10:53,552 think of all the commodities that have 266 00:10:53,552 --> 00:10:55,552 to be stood up for new , new weapon 267 00:10:55,552 --> 00:10:57,497 systems like the AC 46 . They're , 268 00:10:57,497 --> 00:10:59,552 they're doing some really incredible 269 00:10:59,552 --> 00:11:01,775 work , uh , to activate these workloads 270 00:11:01,775 --> 00:11:04,108 and keep us sustainable . Wow , and you , 271 00:11:04,108 --> 00:11:06,441 your AOP is working well over there too . 272 00:11:06,441 --> 00:11:08,663 I know when we bring honorary commander 273 00:11:08,663 --> 00:11:10,886 groups through . And uh the KC 46 folks 274 00:11:10,886 --> 00:11:13,270 are are running down their AOP stuff 275 00:11:13,270 --> 00:11:15,630 and where they've come and getting the 276 00:11:15,630 --> 00:11:18,669 now the test flight out , uh 10 flights 277 00:11:18,669 --> 00:11:20,830 test squadron up to speed to start 278 00:11:20,830 --> 00:11:23,229 flying check rides and so that's 279 00:11:23,229 --> 00:11:25,750 interesting . AOP being our uh our 280 00:11:25,750 --> 00:11:27,917 production culture art of the possible 281 00:11:27,917 --> 00:11:30,139 theory of constraints for those who who 282 00:11:30,139 --> 00:11:32,306 aren't as familiar with it . Uh , what 283 00:11:32,306 --> 00:11:34,710 I'll tell you about that is under 284 00:11:34,710 --> 00:11:37,770 Colonel Jeff Anderson . Um , Mr . Steve 285 00:11:37,770 --> 00:11:40,770 Stoner and Mr . Mike Hostetter , they 286 00:11:40,770 --> 00:11:42,714 really have the , the fundamentals 287 00:11:42,714 --> 00:11:45,729 remain the same , but in the vein of 288 00:11:45,729 --> 00:11:48,729 digitalization they've overhauled the 289 00:11:48,729 --> 00:11:51,489 AOP too that to smooth out that 290 00:11:51,489 --> 00:11:53,789 integration across stakeholders and to 291 00:11:53,789 --> 00:11:56,559 your point , the KC 46 is , is , uh , 292 00:11:56,570 --> 00:11:59,809 indicative success from that overhaul . 293 00:12:00,159 --> 00:12:02,381 You know , the team working together to 294 00:12:02,381 --> 00:12:04,548 bust constraints , particularly in K46 295 00:12:04,548 --> 00:12:06,381 as as new breaks happen on a new 296 00:12:06,381 --> 00:12:09,500 aircraft , um , AOP is kicking in , uh , 297 00:12:09,549 --> 00:12:11,660 like you suggested , yeah , all those 298 00:12:11,660 --> 00:12:13,771 unknowns and for people like me , you 299 00:12:13,771 --> 00:12:15,882 know , the civilians that get to stay 300 00:12:15,882 --> 00:12:18,229 here and , and stick with our mission 301 00:12:18,229 --> 00:12:20,562 sets here unlike , like you , sir , who , 302 00:12:20,590 --> 00:12:23,030 you know , you have a set time limit 303 00:12:23,030 --> 00:12:26,770 like . I get to watch , I get to 304 00:12:26,770 --> 00:12:28,992 watch all these things kind of play out 305 00:12:29,169 --> 00:12:31,969 over time and and see like you know the 306 00:12:31,969 --> 00:12:35,179 stuff that pops up that nobody expected 307 00:12:35,179 --> 00:12:38,130 or never foresaw coming and then the 308 00:12:38,130 --> 00:12:40,297 work that you're doing with your teams 309 00:12:40,297 --> 00:12:43,080 in in areas like an AOP for instance , 310 00:12:43,469 --> 00:12:47,000 uh , to have them creatively quickly 311 00:12:47,289 --> 00:12:49,400 get to solving those problems , um , 312 00:12:49,450 --> 00:12:51,506 yeah , I've I've really been pleased 313 00:12:51,506 --> 00:12:54,840 with how the team . Has responded to , 314 00:12:54,849 --> 00:12:57,080 you know , my thinking and , and I 315 00:12:57,080 --> 00:12:59,520 don't think it's too uncommon but in 316 00:12:59,520 --> 00:13:01,298 sometimes we get heads down and 317 00:13:01,298 --> 00:13:03,409 producing right and and we can really 318 00:13:03,409 --> 00:13:05,830 be focused on this year's execution . 319 00:13:06,239 --> 00:13:09,080 I've pressed the team to think , you 320 00:13:09,080 --> 00:13:12,059 know , short term , midterm , long term , 321 00:13:12,479 --> 00:13:15,080 all the way out to 2050 , you know , 25 322 00:13:15,080 --> 00:13:17,280 years from now , you know , with how 323 00:13:17,280 --> 00:13:19,559 budget cycles work and and our funding 324 00:13:19,559 --> 00:13:21,726 activities and all those , it's hard . 325 00:13:21,726 --> 00:13:24,280 To to think out that far , but you have 326 00:13:24,280 --> 00:13:27,239 to . To make sure we're planning for 327 00:13:27,239 --> 00:13:30,349 the future and we will be relevant uh 328 00:13:30,349 --> 00:13:32,619 for the future in that regard so we're 329 00:13:32,619 --> 00:13:35,239 looking at ALC 2050 type vision 330 00:13:35,239 --> 00:13:38,429 activity and then making it executable , 331 00:13:38,719 --> 00:13:40,775 you know , in the short term and the 332 00:13:40,775 --> 00:13:42,830 midterm to focus on that . I'll give 333 00:13:42,830 --> 00:13:44,775 you one example . We have to think 334 00:13:44,775 --> 00:13:47,400 about manufacturing right now , you 335 00:13:47,400 --> 00:13:49,622 know , when I got here we were probably 336 00:13:49,622 --> 00:13:53,405 99.9% maintenance repair overhaul . Uh , 337 00:13:53,684 --> 00:13:55,851 based on what we said on manufacturing 338 00:13:55,851 --> 00:13:58,073 a second ago , I mean , I would venture 339 00:13:58,073 --> 00:14:00,434 to guess we're getting closer to 1% , 340 00:14:00,804 --> 00:14:02,971 which is not insignificant when you're 341 00:14:02,971 --> 00:14:05,304 talking about 7.3 million hours worth 342 00:14:05,304 --> 00:14:08,325 of work , right ? Where we need to be 343 00:14:08,325 --> 00:14:11,484 25 years from now is about 25% 344 00:14:11,484 --> 00:14:13,804 manufacturing . So I challenged the 345 00:14:13,804 --> 00:14:16,125 team to bring in 1% a year for the next 346 00:14:16,125 --> 00:14:19,315 25 years , focusing on manufacturing , 347 00:14:19,364 --> 00:14:22,059 digital material management . Is the 348 00:14:22,059 --> 00:14:24,219 grease that will revolutionize the 349 00:14:24,219 --> 00:14:27,859 process is to get to that 25% that 350 00:14:27,859 --> 00:14:29,692 keeps us relevant and viable and 351 00:14:29,692 --> 00:14:32,299 ultimately producing sustainment for 352 00:14:32,299 --> 00:14:34,355 the war fighter . That's really wild 353 00:14:34,355 --> 00:14:36,577 because it kind of goes like that takes 354 00:14:36,577 --> 00:14:40,130 us all the way back to . Day one almost 355 00:14:40,130 --> 00:14:42,619 in this building like that's just not 356 00:14:42,619 --> 00:14:44,563 something that we've been thinking 357 00:14:44,563 --> 00:14:46,508 about for a very long time and and 358 00:14:46,508 --> 00:14:48,675 before we move on I , I think and then 359 00:14:48,675 --> 00:14:50,841 you probably downplay this , sir , but 360 00:14:50,841 --> 00:14:52,786 I think that says a lot of quality 361 00:14:52,786 --> 00:14:54,952 about your leadership that you know it 362 00:14:54,952 --> 00:14:56,786 it wasn't 2 years let's focus on 363 00:14:56,786 --> 00:14:59,008 whatever we can bang out in my 2 year . 364 00:14:59,119 --> 00:15:01,940 And then hit the door like you to think 365 00:15:02,250 --> 00:15:04,880 25 years down the road and and be 366 00:15:04,880 --> 00:15:08,469 preparing your team for that as well so 367 00:15:08,469 --> 00:15:12,059 you mentioned those 30+ year civilian 368 00:15:12,059 --> 00:15:15,500 airmen um the only way we can do that 369 00:15:15,869 --> 00:15:18,147 is because of their expertise . I mean , 370 00:15:18,147 --> 00:15:20,369 you know , they've been here 30 years , 371 00:15:20,369 --> 00:15:22,719 so they , they remember back then 372 00:15:22,719 --> 00:15:24,775 thinking forward and what that looks 373 00:15:24,775 --> 00:15:26,663 like . I mean their experience is 374 00:15:26,663 --> 00:15:28,799 incredible . Um , you're , you're 375 00:15:28,799 --> 00:15:30,799 absolutely right , you know , as we 376 00:15:30,799 --> 00:15:32,966 move through our military careers , we 377 00:15:32,966 --> 00:15:35,469 get 2 and 3 year snapshots of different 378 00:15:35,469 --> 00:15:37,599 organizations and we get this kind of 379 00:15:37,599 --> 00:15:40,039 broad picture , but we don't see 380 00:15:40,039 --> 00:15:41,817 maintenance repair overhaul and 381 00:15:41,817 --> 00:15:45,479 manufacturing in a real detailed 382 00:15:45,479 --> 00:15:48,419 way . Um , but , but these , uh , 383 00:15:48,429 --> 00:15:51,570 senior civilian leaders , uh , in , in 384 00:15:51,570 --> 00:15:54,539 the complex , Mr . Laughlin , uh , and 385 00:15:54,539 --> 00:15:57,460 Mr . Astorga and Ms . Jones and others 386 00:15:57,460 --> 00:16:00,219 in combination with the groups in AMXG , 387 00:16:00,239 --> 00:16:02,461 PMXG , so our engineers , Mr . Barlow , 388 00:16:02,500 --> 00:16:05,609 Mr . Stallman , um , they can see . 389 00:16:06,530 --> 00:16:08,641 You know what this means and then for 390 00:16:08,641 --> 00:16:11,890 each of the specific groups they they 391 00:16:11,890 --> 00:16:14,119 see it from their lens , so Mr . 392 00:16:14,130 --> 00:16:16,710 Kaufman in CMXG , Mr . Victorian and 393 00:16:16,710 --> 00:16:19,979 PMXG . Um , and then I always , we 394 00:16:19,979 --> 00:16:21,923 cannot forget with the maintenance 395 00:16:21,923 --> 00:16:24,035 support group under Mr . Gill because 396 00:16:24,035 --> 00:16:25,923 they're kind of the thread that's 397 00:16:25,923 --> 00:16:27,646 keeping it all together from a 398 00:16:27,646 --> 00:16:29,812 facilities infrastructure , you know , 399 00:16:29,812 --> 00:16:31,923 uh , labs , uh , and different , uh , 400 00:16:32,059 --> 00:16:34,250 you know , Metcal type activities , so 401 00:16:34,780 --> 00:16:37,002 huge impact they can see the future and 402 00:16:37,002 --> 00:16:39,169 they , you know , they could put plans 403 00:16:39,169 --> 00:16:41,719 in place as long as the vision . Uh , 404 00:16:41,770 --> 00:16:44,049 is correct and then collectively as a 405 00:16:44,049 --> 00:16:47,250 team aligning and realigning uh to keep 406 00:16:47,250 --> 00:16:49,361 us focused and moving forward , would 407 00:16:49,361 --> 00:16:52,090 you say with , with such a huge 408 00:16:52,090 --> 00:16:54,969 civilian population here under your 409 00:16:54,969 --> 00:16:57,849 leadership which is also unique to this 410 00:16:57,849 --> 00:17:01,010 place , uh , the ALC . Are those people 411 00:17:01,010 --> 00:17:02,954 and the things you're just talking 412 00:17:02,954 --> 00:17:05,121 about kind of the driving force on how 413 00:17:05,121 --> 00:17:08,000 you keep that civilian workforce 414 00:17:08,829 --> 00:17:11,849 focused on mission and their ability to 415 00:17:11,849 --> 00:17:13,960 produce the promise as our three star 416 00:17:14,250 --> 00:17:17,020 likes to say ? Well , so interesting , 417 00:17:17,089 --> 00:17:19,609 yes , they absolutely keep focus , but . 418 00:17:20,010 --> 00:17:22,930 This is a layered approach . Um , I'm 419 00:17:22,930 --> 00:17:25,041 sure at some point you were gonna ask 420 00:17:25,041 --> 00:17:26,763 me a question about first line 421 00:17:26,763 --> 00:17:28,930 supervisors , uh , but I'll preempt it 422 00:17:28,930 --> 00:17:30,874 maybe a little bit because we have 423 00:17:30,874 --> 00:17:33,250 focused on that and how do we keep the 424 00:17:33,250 --> 00:17:35,520 national treasure of this workforce , 425 00:17:36,010 --> 00:17:38,609 you know , uh , equipped , 426 00:17:39,410 --> 00:17:43,329 trained with the time and the tools 427 00:17:43,329 --> 00:17:45,449 and the tech data . It's in layers . 428 00:17:45,489 --> 00:17:47,656 It's in leadership layers . First line 429 00:17:47,656 --> 00:17:51,160 supervisors are directly helping their 430 00:17:51,160 --> 00:17:54,290 people be successful to produce , but 431 00:17:54,290 --> 00:17:56,439 then we have 2 , 3rd , you know , 432 00:17:56,609 --> 00:18:00,199 senior level leaders helping take care 433 00:18:00,199 --> 00:18:02,530 of the , the vision to the environment , 434 00:18:02,689 --> 00:18:05,489 to the policy , to the tools to the 435 00:18:05,489 --> 00:18:08,209 actual execution . You know whether 436 00:18:08,209 --> 00:18:10,290 it's scheduling planning , there's a 437 00:18:10,290 --> 00:18:12,457 whole lot of layered activity here and 438 00:18:12,457 --> 00:18:14,790 it so we like to say it takes a village , 439 00:18:14,790 --> 00:18:16,623 right ? I mean there is a lot of 440 00:18:16,623 --> 00:18:19,369 responsibility distributed and uh these 441 00:18:19,369 --> 00:18:21,770 folks know what they're doing it does 442 00:18:21,770 --> 00:18:24,079 keep I think alignment is really , 443 00:18:24,109 --> 00:18:26,331 really important and our senior leaders 444 00:18:26,331 --> 00:18:28,609 do a great job , um , but I think we've 445 00:18:28,609 --> 00:18:31,010 made some significant headway in . 446 00:18:31,939 --> 00:18:33,939 Gaining alignment over the last two 447 00:18:33,939 --> 00:18:36,161 years , right , and that's , that could 448 00:18:36,161 --> 00:18:38,106 be difficult . It's a , it's not a 449 00:18:38,106 --> 00:18:40,272 small organization . So when you first 450 00:18:40,272 --> 00:18:43,180 came here , did you have when , when 451 00:18:43,180 --> 00:18:45,699 you took maybe the 1st 30 , 60 days or 452 00:18:45,699 --> 00:18:47,755 maybe even before you got here . Did 453 00:18:47,755 --> 00:18:49,921 you have a set of goals that you tried 454 00:18:49,921 --> 00:18:52,290 to line out for yourself and and how 455 00:18:52,290 --> 00:18:54,401 did they work out over time ? Did you 456 00:18:54,401 --> 00:18:56,734 have to shift ? Did you meet your goals ? 457 00:18:56,734 --> 00:18:59,569 So yes , I definitely had , I would say 458 00:18:59,569 --> 00:19:02,089 priorities maybe and then the team 459 00:19:02,089 --> 00:19:04,890 based on those priorities helped kind 460 00:19:04,890 --> 00:19:07,650 of fill in the goals um there was a 461 00:19:07,650 --> 00:19:10,369 couple things that I knew we had to do , 462 00:19:10,609 --> 00:19:13,130 uh , one of which was bringing digital 463 00:19:13,130 --> 00:19:15,074 depot , another which was advanced 464 00:19:15,074 --> 00:19:18,959 manufacturing . But in addition to that , 465 00:19:19,250 --> 00:19:21,139 and I started working in this not 466 00:19:21,139 --> 00:19:23,250 knowing exactly how it was gonna go , 467 00:19:23,849 --> 00:19:25,793 we needed to think about posturing 468 00:19:25,793 --> 00:19:28,770 repair forward . So over the last 20 469 00:19:28,770 --> 00:19:31,369 years we have centralized repair to the 470 00:19:31,369 --> 00:19:34,209 depots , right ? Um , if you remember 471 00:19:34,209 --> 00:19:36,510 back in 1995 there was base reduction 472 00:19:36,510 --> 00:19:38,732 and closures , we went from 5 depots to 473 00:19:38,732 --> 00:19:41,489 3 that was even further consolidation 474 00:19:41,489 --> 00:19:43,660 and centralization . Well , based on 475 00:19:43,660 --> 00:19:45,938 the threat environment out there today , 476 00:19:46,380 --> 00:19:48,491 we need to think about how we posture 477 00:19:48,491 --> 00:19:51,900 repair more at the point of need and 478 00:19:51,900 --> 00:19:54,729 closing the gap between mission 479 00:19:54,729 --> 00:19:56,859 generation and our maintenance repair 480 00:19:56,859 --> 00:19:59,459 overhaul activities and so working with 481 00:19:59,459 --> 00:20:01,489 Colonel Jay Martin who's my 482 00:20:01,489 --> 00:20:04,859 mobilization assistant , um . We've 483 00:20:04,859 --> 00:20:08,099 come up with a concept under General 484 00:20:08,099 --> 00:20:11,900 Hawkins's genus concept . His is so 485 00:20:11,900 --> 00:20:13,939 Genus stands for Global Enterprise 486 00:20:13,939 --> 00:20:17,130 Network for universal sustainment . 487 00:20:17,609 --> 00:20:20,900 Think sustainment activities forward in 488 00:20:20,900 --> 00:20:23,660 partnership with allies , partners , 489 00:20:24,099 --> 00:20:26,739 industry partners , as well as our own 490 00:20:26,739 --> 00:20:29,060 organic repair capability forward 491 00:20:29,060 --> 00:20:31,890 posturing for the next fight , right ? 492 00:20:32,390 --> 00:20:35,000 Um , within that , uh , Colonel Martin 493 00:20:35,000 --> 00:20:37,609 and I came up with a concept called 494 00:20:37,609 --> 00:20:40,920 Genus Falcon . Falcon is an acronym For 495 00:20:40,920 --> 00:20:44,660 ALC Operational node , um , and 496 00:20:44,660 --> 00:20:48,030 it essentially embeds depot artisans 497 00:20:48,479 --> 00:20:52,280 with operational units , um , and 498 00:20:52,280 --> 00:20:56,209 why do this ? Because one . We 499 00:20:56,209 --> 00:20:59,729 need to get faster with discipline on 500 00:20:59,729 --> 00:21:02,130 repairing so the war fighter can 501 00:21:02,130 --> 00:21:05,280 produce to mission requirement . So 502 00:21:05,650 --> 00:21:09,599 2 , we need to maintain the 503 00:21:09,849 --> 00:21:12,290 efficiency and effectiveness within the 504 00:21:12,290 --> 00:21:14,599 depot apparatus to continue to be 505 00:21:14,599 --> 00:21:18,010 successful here while we posture 506 00:21:18,010 --> 00:21:21,489 forward to help mission generation . Um , 507 00:21:21,500 --> 00:21:23,278 in this concept , we take depot 508 00:21:23,278 --> 00:21:25,729 artisans who are still tied to our 509 00:21:25,729 --> 00:21:28,530 business processes , our production 510 00:21:28,530 --> 00:21:31,189 processes , our quality , safety 511 00:21:31,569 --> 00:21:35,310 training . And we forward posture them 512 00:21:35,689 --> 00:21:39,469 um right now it's it's KOus um 513 00:21:39,469 --> 00:21:42,010 and we're looking at uh a few other 514 00:21:42,010 --> 00:21:44,369 areas like uh Joint Base Elmendorf 515 00:21:44,369 --> 00:21:48,119 Richardson , um maybe Hickam , some 516 00:21:48,119 --> 00:21:50,609 areas , uh , potentially overseas , but 517 00:21:50,609 --> 00:21:52,776 we haven't started those yet and we're 518 00:21:52,776 --> 00:21:54,890 actually performing depot maintenance 519 00:21:54,890 --> 00:21:58,250 depot level maintenance in operational 520 00:21:58,250 --> 00:22:01,550 units . Um , this is a big deal . Uh , 521 00:22:01,589 --> 00:22:04,510 we've actually , uh , produced in , in 522 00:22:04,510 --> 00:22:07,829 DIA on B1 avionics . We've produced on 523 00:22:07,829 --> 00:22:11,069 KC-135s , uh , at Fairchild we've 524 00:22:11,069 --> 00:22:14,579 produced , uh , overseas at Cadena , um , 525 00:22:14,670 --> 00:22:16,630 and we've produced some engines at 526 00:22:16,630 --> 00:22:19,790 Seymour Johnson , um , and , uh , it's 527 00:22:19,790 --> 00:22:22,189 really , uh , it's a big deal because 528 00:22:22,189 --> 00:22:24,790 we're putting LRUs back in the hands of 529 00:22:24,790 --> 00:22:27,469 flight lines . We're remaining 530 00:22:27,469 --> 00:22:29,819 financially solvent . And in addition 531 00:22:29,819 --> 00:22:32,859 to that we're training blue suit airmen 532 00:22:32,859 --> 00:22:36,219 on on certain higher level system 533 00:22:36,219 --> 00:22:38,441 knowledge while we're able to produce , 534 00:22:38,441 --> 00:22:40,739 so it's really a great partnership with 535 00:22:40,739 --> 00:22:42,906 these operational units and I think it 536 00:22:42,906 --> 00:22:45,459 it focuses our readiness and repair at 537 00:22:45,459 --> 00:22:47,900 the right places as we develop this 538 00:22:47,900 --> 00:22:49,844 program out . It's actually really 539 00:22:49,844 --> 00:22:52,011 exciting , uh , trying to , I'm trying 540 00:22:52,011 --> 00:22:54,500 to not be too giddy about it because I 541 00:22:54,500 --> 00:22:56,670 mean I really think that . This is 542 00:22:56,670 --> 00:22:59,270 really neat stuff and because for the 543 00:22:59,270 --> 00:23:01,103 last few years we've been really 544 00:23:01,103 --> 00:23:03,349 talking about mission capable airmen 545 00:23:03,670 --> 00:23:06,790 and the agility of of our young young 546 00:23:06,790 --> 00:23:09,790 force and how we're going to maneuver 547 00:23:09,790 --> 00:23:11,709 them out and and make sure that 548 00:23:11,709 --> 00:23:13,820 decision making is happening at lower 549 00:23:13,820 --> 00:23:17,670 levels but I mean I don't think that 550 00:23:17,670 --> 00:23:19,790 certainly not in our area we hadn't 551 00:23:19,790 --> 00:23:22,579 been thinking about this sort of thing 552 00:23:22,579 --> 00:23:25,310 like taking civilians or or . You know 553 00:23:25,310 --> 00:23:28,270 these types of civilian and and and 554 00:23:28,270 --> 00:23:30,159 doing the same sort of thing like 555 00:23:30,159 --> 00:23:32,326 teaching them how to be more agile and 556 00:23:32,326 --> 00:23:34,589 and capable and and sending them out 557 00:23:34,589 --> 00:23:37,180 but yeah just to be clear you know 558 00:23:37,180 --> 00:23:39,670 because I you know you know folks will 559 00:23:39,670 --> 00:23:42,959 think um . We're putting civilian 560 00:23:42,959 --> 00:23:45,430 airmen in harm's way and that is not 561 00:23:45,430 --> 00:23:47,880 the case . These are , these are 562 00:23:47,880 --> 00:23:51,640 scheduled largely scheduled depot 563 00:23:51,640 --> 00:23:54,839 level activities that are that fall in 564 00:23:54,839 --> 00:23:57,709 on already established bases out there 565 00:23:58,280 --> 00:24:01,280 to help expedite those repairs but when 566 00:24:01,280 --> 00:24:03,400 you take a depot level artisan who's 567 00:24:03,400 --> 00:24:07,010 been working that workload . For 1520 568 00:24:07,010 --> 00:24:10,449 25 years and you put them side by 569 00:24:10,449 --> 00:24:13,510 side by a brand new airman maybe 570 00:24:13,510 --> 00:24:16,530 straight out of high school um you're 571 00:24:16,530 --> 00:24:19,270 able to transfer knowledge that's 572 00:24:19,270 --> 00:24:21,381 really been centralized over the last 573 00:24:21,381 --> 00:24:23,381 20 years we're able to transfer not 574 00:24:23,381 --> 00:24:25,437 just repair capability but knowledge 575 00:24:25,437 --> 00:24:27,650 back to folks in the field and uh I 576 00:24:27,650 --> 00:24:29,761 think it's just huge . I think it's a 577 00:24:29,761 --> 00:24:32,959 force multiplier . Um , already gaining 578 00:24:32,959 --> 00:24:35,439 big traction , I , I think , uh , I 579 00:24:35,439 --> 00:24:37,661 think it's gonna be a big win , right , 580 00:24:37,661 --> 00:24:39,606 for sure , and , and thank you for 581 00:24:39,606 --> 00:24:41,661 clarifying that yes , when nobody is 582 00:24:41,661 --> 00:24:43,717 going out into the , to the field of 583 00:24:43,717 --> 00:24:45,839 fire out there , but , but still so 584 00:24:45,839 --> 00:24:48,479 exciting because it's just not like it , 585 00:24:48,520 --> 00:24:51,239 it kind of falls into that that agility 586 00:24:51,239 --> 00:24:53,183 and stuff , but yeah , nobody's in 587 00:24:53,183 --> 00:24:55,400 harm's way , um , so you have worked 588 00:24:55,400 --> 00:24:58,069 with great leaders in your time you've 589 00:24:58,069 --> 00:25:00,390 you've named a bunch of them . Um , 590 00:25:00,589 --> 00:25:02,750 have you been able to take away any 591 00:25:02,750 --> 00:25:05,250 valuable leadership lessons from all 592 00:25:05,250 --> 00:25:07,306 the great leaders that you've worked 593 00:25:07,306 --> 00:25:10,670 with here ? So probably the , the 594 00:25:10,670 --> 00:25:14,109 greatest , um , surprise and 595 00:25:14,109 --> 00:25:17,640 lesson from these senior leaders is 596 00:25:17,640 --> 00:25:20,310 that we all have our , I'll say 597 00:25:20,310 --> 00:25:22,750 strengths and weaknesses , right ? But 598 00:25:22,750 --> 00:25:24,939 what's great about our institution is 599 00:25:24,939 --> 00:25:27,869 we bring them all together for biggest 600 00:25:27,869 --> 00:25:30,550 effect , um . You know , I'll just give 601 00:25:30,550 --> 00:25:32,439 you a couple examples . There's , 602 00:25:32,439 --> 00:25:34,650 there's folks that grow up in the 603 00:25:34,650 --> 00:25:36,869 financial elements of our business and 604 00:25:36,869 --> 00:25:39,510 they know how to run the business 605 00:25:39,510 --> 00:25:42,310 wheels of this massive institution . 606 00:25:42,729 --> 00:25:44,951 There's other folks that grow up on the 607 00:25:44,951 --> 00:25:47,680 production side and they know they've 608 00:25:47,680 --> 00:25:51,150 mastered flow and scripting 609 00:25:51,319 --> 00:25:54,060 and parts of portability implications 610 00:25:54,439 --> 00:25:56,680 they know how to produce , right ? And 611 00:25:56,680 --> 00:25:59,280 there's engineers that we have there's 612 00:25:59,280 --> 00:26:01,760 support activities there's there's so 613 00:26:01,760 --> 00:26:04,040 many different things and as they grow 614 00:26:04,040 --> 00:26:07,160 up in these different areas we have to 615 00:26:07,160 --> 00:26:09,479 bring them together to really 616 00:26:09,479 --> 00:26:11,646 capitalize on the collective wisdom of 617 00:26:11,646 --> 00:26:14,010 all of them . Because uh you know I 618 00:26:14,010 --> 00:26:16,609 remember our 4 star used to say one of 619 00:26:16,609 --> 00:26:19,410 us is is not as good as all of us and 620 00:26:19,410 --> 00:26:21,810 that is absolutely true here in the 621 00:26:21,810 --> 00:26:25,010 depots so my big takeaway is , you know , 622 00:26:25,209 --> 00:26:27,010 bring them together and it's a 623 00:26:27,010 --> 00:26:29,177 compounding effect for effectiveness , 624 00:26:29,177 --> 00:26:30,954 you know , and . It's really an 625 00:26:30,954 --> 00:26:33,010 incredible group of of people . It's 626 00:26:33,010 --> 00:26:34,899 been for me it's just been so eye 627 00:26:34,899 --> 00:26:37,719 opening to see what they can produce 628 00:26:37,719 --> 00:26:40,660 together uh as they as they capitalize 629 00:26:40,660 --> 00:26:42,382 on each other's experience and 630 00:26:42,382 --> 00:26:45,189 expertise . Uh , it's just fascinating , 631 00:26:45,400 --> 00:26:47,511 awesome good lessons for the future . 632 00:26:47,699 --> 00:26:50,079 And so now that you've been here and 633 00:26:50,079 --> 00:26:52,500 you you're starting to wind down this , 634 00:26:52,560 --> 00:26:54,671 this part of your tour , uh , and not 635 00:26:54,671 --> 00:26:56,838 your first time at Tinker , but , uh , 636 00:26:56,838 --> 00:26:59,060 but in the command and and leading . Is 637 00:26:59,060 --> 00:27:01,739 there anything about this position in 638 00:27:01,739 --> 00:27:03,850 your last couple of years here that's 639 00:27:03,850 --> 00:27:07,290 that's surprised you at all or what 640 00:27:07,290 --> 00:27:09,234 surprised you the most , I guess I 641 00:27:09,234 --> 00:27:11,939 could say uh I so I'll kind of contrast 642 00:27:11,939 --> 00:27:15,250 the strength with the weakness , um , 643 00:27:15,260 --> 00:27:18,689 and the weakness is that we are 644 00:27:19,060 --> 00:27:21,420 such a complex enterprise of 645 00:27:21,420 --> 00:27:24,140 sustainment that sometimes it can be 646 00:27:24,140 --> 00:27:27,569 surprising how difficult it can be . To 647 00:27:27,569 --> 00:27:30,949 move the enterprise forward on meeting 648 00:27:30,949 --> 00:27:33,310 all the eco the commitments that we 649 00:27:33,310 --> 00:27:36,819 need to , um , so surprising in a good 650 00:27:36,819 --> 00:27:39,310 way , you know , we , we kind of looked 651 00:27:39,310 --> 00:27:41,500 at how that integration was happening 652 00:27:41,500 --> 00:27:43,750 and , and if you remember I came here 653 00:27:43,750 --> 00:27:46,028 with a focus on integration , you know , 654 00:27:46,028 --> 00:27:48,250 General Richardson , our four star boss 655 00:27:48,250 --> 00:27:50,194 made it clear that that we have to 656 00:27:50,194 --> 00:27:52,829 integrate not not just across the 657 00:27:52,829 --> 00:27:54,869 centers within Air Force Material 658 00:27:54,869 --> 00:27:57,036 command but within ourselves , right ? 659 00:27:57,079 --> 00:27:59,023 And I really think that that's the 660 00:27:59,023 --> 00:28:01,790 critical , um , critical need , 661 00:28:02,680 --> 00:28:05,760 maybe the , the weakness that had to be 662 00:28:05,760 --> 00:28:08,839 really aligned and focused and so I 663 00:28:08,839 --> 00:28:11,359 think it was surprising uh to 664 00:28:11,359 --> 00:28:14,560 understand . How much of that we need , 665 00:28:14,949 --> 00:28:17,229 um , I'm pleased to say that you know 666 00:28:17,229 --> 00:28:19,709 through our processes we've shored some 667 00:28:19,709 --> 00:28:22,430 things up , uh , in our aircraft 668 00:28:22,430 --> 00:28:24,597 missile reviews it's it's a standard , 669 00:28:24,739 --> 00:28:27,510 uh , acronym , um , under product 670 00:28:27,510 --> 00:28:29,989 support the Air Force is moving that 671 00:28:29,989 --> 00:28:33,109 way , but we need to keep uh keep 672 00:28:33,109 --> 00:28:35,089 moving it forward because it's 673 00:28:35,089 --> 00:28:37,969 absolutely critical to make sure . Our 674 00:28:37,969 --> 00:28:41,569 supply chain and our engineers and our 675 00:28:41,569 --> 00:28:45,000 maintainers and our program managers 676 00:28:45,000 --> 00:28:48,300 along with the operational mad coms are 677 00:28:48,300 --> 00:28:51,859 in sync moving together understanding 678 00:28:51,859 --> 00:28:55,020 each other's challenges and moving that 679 00:28:55,020 --> 00:28:57,729 forward for most aircraft availability 680 00:28:58,099 --> 00:29:01,560 that we can you know squeeze . To meet 681 00:29:01,560 --> 00:29:03,782 war fighters' requirements , that's not 682 00:29:03,782 --> 00:29:06,550 an easy task , um , but the processes 683 00:29:06,550 --> 00:29:08,959 exist . We just got to stay focused on 684 00:29:08,959 --> 00:29:12,640 it and so surprising in a difficult way 685 00:29:12,640 --> 00:29:14,959 but also where we've come in it to kind 686 00:29:14,959 --> 00:29:17,479 of reinvigorate it , you know , kind of 687 00:29:17,479 --> 00:29:19,829 a back to basics and product support 688 00:29:19,829 --> 00:29:22,310 and uh I'm pleased to say we're getting 689 00:29:22,310 --> 00:29:24,477 aligned and focused in that area too . 690 00:29:24,477 --> 00:29:27,400 Love that and you know it's such a . An 691 00:29:27,400 --> 00:29:30,119 interesting perspective from back here 692 00:29:30,119 --> 00:29:33,400 in in in the support role in everything 693 00:29:33,400 --> 00:29:36,849 we do here because the war fighter 694 00:29:36,849 --> 00:29:38,905 really probably never takes a moment 695 00:29:38,905 --> 00:29:41,109 out of their day to think back into 696 00:29:41,109 --> 00:29:44,099 everything that you just said in a 32nd 697 00:29:44,099 --> 00:29:47,109 sound bite about what it takes . To do 698 00:29:47,109 --> 00:29:50,550 all this is just it's baffling but cool 699 00:29:50,550 --> 00:29:53,430 for us you know cool for them because 700 00:29:53,430 --> 00:29:55,750 their stuff works and they get it for 701 00:29:55,750 --> 00:29:57,869 because of your team but yeah and you 702 00:29:57,869 --> 00:29:59,925 know kind of cross checking that the 703 00:29:59,925 --> 00:30:01,758 whole time on what their mission 704 00:30:01,758 --> 00:30:03,980 requirements are to include operational 705 00:30:03,980 --> 00:30:06,036 as well as training . I mean they've 706 00:30:06,036 --> 00:30:08,258 got to fly to train to be able to fight 707 00:30:08,310 --> 00:30:10,579 and so we as a collective enterprise 708 00:30:10,579 --> 00:30:13,030 have to produce and sustain to meet 709 00:30:13,030 --> 00:30:15,650 that that requirement and . There's a 710 00:30:15,650 --> 00:30:17,539 lot there that that has to remain 711 00:30:17,539 --> 00:30:19,539 aligned and moving forward together 712 00:30:19,539 --> 00:30:21,761 awesome stuff . So with that , sir , is 713 00:30:21,761 --> 00:30:23,817 there , is there anything that you'd 714 00:30:23,817 --> 00:30:26,290 like to say to your to your team as as 715 00:30:26,290 --> 00:30:28,234 you get ready to depart ? Yeah , I 716 00:30:28,234 --> 00:30:31,689 would just say thanks for serving this 717 00:30:31,689 --> 00:30:33,745 great institution , and I , and I do 718 00:30:33,745 --> 00:30:36,079 mean the Air Force institution , but I 719 00:30:36,079 --> 00:30:37,857 also mean the Oklahoma City Air 720 00:30:37,857 --> 00:30:39,857 Logistics complex , the sustainment 721 00:30:39,857 --> 00:30:41,968 enterprise , the Air Force material . 722 00:30:42,439 --> 00:30:44,680 Enterprise , it's critical to war 723 00:30:44,680 --> 00:30:47,550 fighting um and the fact that , uh , 724 00:30:47,560 --> 00:30:50,430 folks would dedicate their lives , 725 00:30:50,599 --> 00:30:53,000 their , their professions , and you 726 00:30:53,000 --> 00:30:55,239 know what that means for families and 727 00:30:55,239 --> 00:30:58,680 support , um , it , it's uh quite an 728 00:30:58,680 --> 00:31:01,199 honor to be able to serve alongside 729 00:31:01,199 --> 00:31:02,977 them for me it's the honor of a 730 00:31:02,977 --> 00:31:05,319 lifetime . Uh , I can't see how it gets 731 00:31:05,319 --> 00:31:08,300 any better than this , um . Uh , but 732 00:31:08,300 --> 00:31:10,489 you know , for the two years I was 733 00:31:10,489 --> 00:31:12,711 blessed to be able to be a part of it . 734 00:31:12,890 --> 00:31:15,609 Uh , it was just amazing , incredible 735 00:31:15,609 --> 00:31:18,689 Americans , incredible Oklahomans doing 736 00:31:18,689 --> 00:31:22,000 our nation's work , um , and so I would 737 00:31:22,000 --> 00:31:24,410 say to , to my team , thanks for 738 00:31:24,410 --> 00:31:26,521 dedicating your professional lives to 739 00:31:26,521 --> 00:31:29,469 it . Um , and I think , I think it's a 740 00:31:29,469 --> 00:31:31,747 righteous cause that we're all serving . 741 00:31:31,747 --> 00:31:33,525 Awesome , thank you , sir , and 742 00:31:33,525 --> 00:31:35,691 appreciate the leadership for the last 743 00:31:35,691 --> 00:31:38,025 couple of years . It's been a great run . 744 00:31:38,025 --> 00:31:37,829 Thank you , and I think we'll leave it 745 00:31:37,829 --> 00:31:40,051 with that . Uh , we'll let you get back 746 00:31:40,051 --> 00:31:42,162 to work because you're not gone yet . 747 00:31:42,162 --> 00:31:44,273 If I can say one more quick thing and 748 00:31:44,273 --> 00:31:46,329 only because you know we can only do 749 00:31:46,329 --> 00:31:48,496 our job with the communities . Support 750 00:31:48,630 --> 00:31:50,852 and uh I remember General Kirkland used 751 00:31:50,852 --> 00:31:52,908 to say you know the best communities 752 00:31:52,908 --> 00:31:55,430 make the best bases um our folks are 753 00:31:55,430 --> 00:31:57,640 only able to do what they're doing 754 00:31:57,640 --> 00:32:00,680 because this community is the best uh 755 00:32:00,680 --> 00:32:02,880 in the country er in Oklahoma City , 756 00:32:03,069 --> 00:32:05,510 Oklahoma , uh City Air logistics 757 00:32:05,510 --> 00:32:07,621 complex so thanks to the community as 758 00:32:07,621 --> 00:32:09,788 well . Awesome . Well said , sir . And 759 00:32:09,788 --> 00:32:11,954 so with that we are gonna wrap up this 760 00:32:11,954 --> 00:32:14,066 episode of the Tinker Talks podcast . 761 00:32:14,066 --> 00:32:15,954 Thanks General for coming out and 762 00:32:15,954 --> 00:32:18,066 spending some time with us . Uh , and 763 00:32:18,066 --> 00:32:20,288 please don't forget to follow us on the 764 00:32:20,288 --> 00:32:20,170 socials . Uh , you can find us at 765 00:32:20,170 --> 00:32:22,880 Facebook and Instagram at Team Tinker 766 00:32:23,180 --> 00:32:26,589 and of course on X at Team_Tinker and 767 00:32:26,589 --> 00:32:29,020 also check out our our YouTube page . 768 00:32:29,390 --> 00:32:32,069 And our Facebook , I mean our um 769 00:32:32,500 --> 00:32:34,722 website page and also just a quick plug 770 00:32:34,722 --> 00:32:37,000 for our air show that's coming up , uh , 771 00:32:37,000 --> 00:32:38,889 you'll be able to come out and of 772 00:32:38,889 --> 00:32:41,111 course when we do the air show , one of 773 00:32:41,111 --> 00:32:43,056 the big things is to come show the 774 00:32:43,056 --> 00:32:45,056 public why you uh why you have this 775 00:32:45,056 --> 00:32:47,167 base here and to show you some of our 776 00:32:47,167 --> 00:32:49,222 mission sets and an awful lot of the 777 00:32:49,222 --> 00:32:51,219 mission sets that you'll see have 778 00:32:51,219 --> 00:32:53,330 everything to do with the general was 779 00:32:53,330 --> 00:32:55,552 just discussing with us . So until next 780 00:32:55,552 --> 00:32:57,719 time , be safe out there . We hope you 781 00:32:57,719 --> 00:32:59,941 see it at the air show and have a great 782 00:32:59,941 --> 00:32:58,780 week .