OCR Text |
Show 2 Hilltop Times Aug. 27, 1992 OODg Despite the difference in assignments, Lyles says he's already learned much in the short time he's been Logistics a different world general learning new lingo - mi i by SSgt. Barbara Fisher Hilltop Times Staff fcgfef He only moved from systems to logistics, but the culture shock is there. Brig. Gen. Lester L. Lyles left behind the Air Force world he has spent most of his 24 years in the world of the old Air Force Systems Command-- to come to Hill as the Ogden Air Logistics Center vice commander. First, he found there's a language barrier. The acronyms and terminology are different here and he says the expression "It's Greek to me," has often come to mind during his first visits to the different sections of the center. Second, he's found that Hill people focus on differ- ent things than he's used to. "The focus here is on solving today's problems and making sure the customer has something he can use for war fighting, practice, or for training out on the ramp today," he said. "A lot of the time in the Systems Command, we got focused on what we could provide for tomorrow that new gadget or new weapon." And, if that weren't enough, the general has found that the way he learned to do business in the Air Force won't work anymore. He now has to worry about what the competition is doing. "In the past, we (in the Air Force) looked at competition as something we could put on the table and ask two contractors to compete for," he said. "We essentially called the shots; we made the decision." "Now, there's a whole different world out there. We are being asked to compete either compete to take on somebody else's workload or to offer up some of our current workload and compete for it against other people." It's for all these reasons, however, that Lyles has been teamed with Ogden ALC commander Maj. Gen. Dale W. Thompson Jr. Just like the rest of the Air Force Materiel Command, systems people are learning logistics and vice versa. Too often in the past, the two career paths didn't merge. Hence, Lyles will work for Thompson, who's spent the majority of his career in the operational and logistics business. "The whole concept of bringing together those who develop new systems with the people who support current systems, brings the best of both worlds together," Lyles said. "Developers benefit by understanding today's problems better, how to support the war fighters today. The support community can take advantage of some of those new technologies we have in our laboratories to help solve some of the problems that we have today." The general said his goals for this assignment are clear. He's here to help his boss by relieving some iisiiit here. sciica J earner rag g liiiiiiii f fJ"fe ' ' General Lyles U.S. Air Force Photo by Gregg Wixom scheduled The annual seminars will be held on Sept. 8 and 10 from 7:30 a.m. to noon. Civilian employees eligible for retirement within two years will be identified and sent an invitation. The Sept. 8 seminar is for employees whose last names begin with "A" through "K"; Sept. 10 is for those whose last names begin with "L" through "Z." Representatives from the employee entitlements and benefit unit, Social Security Administration, federal and state tax representatives and the Hill AFB judge advocate's office will brief eligible retirees on a variety of topics. For more information call Ext. or pre-retireme- the competition out there, is very, very hungry and they're far more used to selling themselves than we are. AH o( nt Hilltop Times Published by MorMedia. Inc., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with Hill AFB. This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of the Hilltop Times are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, the Department of Defense or the Department of the Air Force. away. "A lot of time we in AFSC would depend on the contractors to do things for us. The mindset here is that we'll do it ourselves and the talent and capabilities to do so are here." Lyles does believe Hill faces some challenges ahead in learning how to do business in the Air Force of future. "We have to look at and understand everything associated with the cost of the way we operate," he said. "We have to get costs down, lower and lower, so we're in a position to compete for anything that might be available, or to keep any of our current workload we might offer up." To do this, he says, the center is going to have to learn how to sell itself. "Even though we stack up well against the competition, we can't assume automatically that because we know this, other people are also going to know it. "We have to figure out how to present our case with evidence to people so they understand. Then, we become their supplier of choice for whatever services we're offering." He says this means doing even simple things "All of us who have been on a source selection committee have been impressed by Company "A" who provides a videotape and slick brochure versus Company "B" who hands you pieces of paper stapled together." Even though it might be good information, Company "B" just didn't sell themselves, he said. "With the economy the way it is," he said, "this is even more crucial. All of the competition out there is very, very hungry and they're far more used to selling themselves than we are. "They know how to put together good packages. Where we beat them is that we have a good product; we need to figure out how to put the right package around that product. The one thing Hill workers can expect from their new leader is someone who's likely to stop by and visit their work centers and ask a lot of questions. "I have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge," he said. "I like to get in and learn about new things and work with people who understand what those new things are." For Lyles, his Hill assignment is "a great Brig; Gen. Lester L. Lyles Vice commander, Ogden Air Logistics Center opportunity." "This is a fascinating place to be," he said. "This of the work he has and to help him make some of is an exciting organization with a lot of talent. the key decisions he has to make on a y "There are many things going on here that are basis. . major contributors to the Air Force mission, and "I'll provide any advice I can from my research, specifically, to the mission of the new Air Force development and acquisition perspective to help him Materiel Command. This is a golden opportunity for deal with problems that cover both sides of the coin me to see the other part of the acquisition business in our new command." I've been involved with my whole career." day-to-da- seminars ent "There's a wealth of talented people and technology here," he said. "These people know how to get in, get their hands dirty and get things done right right. - Pre-retirem- o ODD News Briefs New school zone on Hillfield Road The Layton City Police Department has announced that new school crossing lights will be in operation in the area of 2475 North and Hillfield Road when the new Northridge High School opens Aug. 31. Many Hill workers use Hillfield Road to come and go to work and police department officials are asking that individuals keep in mind that the current 50 speed limit will be reduced at school crossing lights to 20 mph during the morning and mile-per-ho- ur afternoon hours. The lights will be flashing from 6:56 to 7:20 a.m., and from 2:10 to 2:30 p.m. Motorists are must be prepared to to yield to people in the crosswalk. The appearance of advertisements in this nuhliVnfinn including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of the Air Force or MorMedia, Inc. of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Ogden Air Logistics Center Public Affairs Office staff, Bldg. 1102, Room 118, Ext. 77321. Unless otherwise indicated, all photos U.S. Air Force photos. Surplus property to be sold The Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office, at Hill AFB, will conduct a local aucBldg. tion on Sept. 3 at 9 a.m. A wide variety of items are being offered: electrical and electronic components, truck tires and rims, office machines, miscellaneous hardware, metal drums, shipping and storage containers, metal storage bins, bearings, electronic test equipment, filing cabinets, kitchen appliances and photographic equipment and components. Items can be inspected from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. beginning Aug. 31. Registration for the auction will begin at 8 a m., Sept. 3. F or more details contact the distribution branch, 4, Ext. Hill AFB Editorial Staff: Ma. G.n. Dal. W. Thompson Jr... Maj. Wad J. Habshey Gary Hatch SSgt. Barbara Fi$hr Francas Kosakowsky, Jay Jovrsz Commander, OO-AL- C Director, Public Affairi Assistant editor Staff writers Deadlines! Editorial and "Aroond the Hill" items, 3 p.m. Tuesday, nine days before publication; sports articles, 9 a.m. Monday, week of publication; classified ads, noon Tuesday, For more information, call the editors, Exts. JJJ" plication. |