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Show O Hilhop Times August 21 , 2003 Martin outlines expectations Air AFB, Ohio (AFMCNS) Force Materiel Command's fifth commander officially takes the stick Friday during ceremonies at the Air Force Museum. Gen. Gregory Martin, former U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, assumes command from Gen. Lester Lyles who retires after more than three decades in uniform. Martin spoke to AFMC News Service before assuming command regarding his leadership philosophy and initial expectations. AFMCNS: How did you feel when you learned you would WRIGHT-PATTERSO- N change-of-comma- be AFMC's new commander? Martin: Absolutely thrilled! There are so many important and exciting things happening in the acquisition and logistics business, which I'm now going to have an opportunity to be a part of and learn more about. I can hardly wait to get started. AFMCNS: Gen. Lyles told the command some very nice things about you. Is mere anything you'd like to say about him? Martin: I have had the pleasure of knowing Gen. Lyles from the time he was the Space and Missile Systems Center com6 mander (at Los Angeles AFB, Calif.), back in the time frame, to being his next-doneighbor when he was the director of the Ballistic Mis1995-199- or sile Defense Organization and mmmmmammmmmmmmm then the vice chief of staff of the Air Force. And now, as a fellow major command com- mander, I've gotten to know him not only professionally, but personally. I can think of no finer gentleman or officer in our Air Force. But what's most impressive about him is, no matter w hat the job and no matter how difficult the challenge, he maintains a sense of professionalism and sensitivity to people that is truly And he does that while he works those most difextra-ordinar- ' r'' - are many aspects of the Air Force Materiel Command mission that I'm not well versed in. But, by the same token, there are many activities that are important to our Air Force, and in which AFMC plays a major role, that I am familiar with. I hope that between my operational perspective and this command's acquisition and logistics perspective, we'll find new and important areas to make the command even more effective and efficient than it has been in the past. And that "even" is very important. I must also tell you that as a warfighter I have been the beneficiary of AFMC's work, most recently in major support roles for two major conflicts Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. AFMC delivered every time and should be extremely proud of the support it provides to the warfighter, specifically the men and women on the front lines of the world's greatest Air Force. AFMCNS: WTiat can we expect from you as commander? Martin: First of all, I have great admiration and respect for the leadership Gen. Lyles has already provided this command. . hill.af.miloswweather I ;gtt"-'- '"1 93 High 65 Low Partly cloudy with thunderstorms over the mountains 90 High 65 Low cloudy with Partly-mostl- y afternoon thunderstorms MM3 88 High 64 Low Partly cloudy 91 High 65 Low Mostly sunny Ma rtin Martin: I think first and most important is for me to learn as much as I can. I have the initial schedule of orientation briefings from the different directors on staff and have just finished the initial look at a base visit schedule to visit each of the major installations in AFMC so I can better understand the Deonle. mission and the concerns they have, whether it be concerns with the structure, facilities or resources. So, the first thing is to learn as much as I can from the organizations and from the bases. From that, we'll begin to work with the directors and commanders on those initiatives that can make a difference in improving the capabilities of this command. The problem during any orientation is that there's never a moment that a command such as AFMC is ever stationary. So while I'm learning, 111 have to be dealing with issues and challenges as they come forward. It's my hope that I'll get the orientations and introductory briefings done as quickly as possible, but nonetheless I'll rely very heavily on the professional people of this command to guide me during that orientation, while I'm dealing with the issues and challenges as they come forward. AFMCNS: Is there anything else AFMC people need to know as you begin your command? Martin: I think it's important for them to know that I don't have all the answers to the concerns and issues and all the chal- lenges that face this command, but that's not new. I didn't have it all squared away when I went to USAFE and I didn't have it all squared away when I went to SAFAQ or in any other job I've ever had. I depend on the people to help guide me as I learn and then to execute the decisions that we make along the way. Throughout my career that has served me well and the people have never let me down. I know that will be true at AFMC. As I said in the beginning, I am excited to be here doing this! AFMCNS: Why do they call you Speedy? Martin: When I was an 4 pilot at Holloman AFB, N.M., from 1973 to 1976, they had an indicator in the F--4 that said G S knots. That stood for ground speed in knots. My initials are G.S. Martin and I was on the squadron football team. I was an end and was a little faster back in those days, so I got the name Ground Speed Martin, and that got changed to Speedy. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it That's how that name came about F-- A rally highlighting motorcycle safety will be held here Wednesday, sponsored by base safety officials and senior leadership to reach out to Hill AFB riders. The rally will bring Hill AFB riders together for fellowship, crosstalk and some fun. Riders will assemble in the 419th Fighter Wing parking lot at 1 p.m. The event begins with a bike and gear contest judged by the safety office. A Commander's Poker Run will begin at 2:15 p.m. with riders collect WRIGHT-PATTERSOAFB, Ohio (AFMCNS) We have all wished at some point that time could stand still. How great it would be if we could enjoy just a little longer a child's innocent N and funny remark, a colleague's surprise at some good fortune, or the company of a friend who will be moving far away. That is what it's like for me as I step down as commander of Air Force Materiel Command and retire from the United States Air Force. All of you who do the work of this great organization we call AFMC have made it difficult to depart I wish I could have just a little more time to shake hands and personally thank every one of this command's 82,000 men and women. When I began wearing a fourth star, I found it came with a lot of "accessories," you might say. People do things for you without being asked. You get invited to some great events, where you meet incredibly interesting and accomplished people. And for some reason, everybody you meet is especially polite! Well, that's nice, of course, but it's not what really matters most What I have appreciated above all is my relationship with you who are AFMC. I have met some tremendous people with expertise in an amazing number of disciplines and positions on whom I relied for information, analysis and recommendations in making crucial decisions. I have seen people latch on to tough problems like bulldogs and thrash out solutions. I have observed people showing remarkable consideration of their colleagues, and families making great sacrifices as their loved ones traveled to support the mission. When I assumed command of AFMC 3 12 years ago, I was impressed with how much the command was accomplishing. Its e service for everything we create for concept of the Air Force had come a long way since the command's inception in 1992. As our military commitments expanded, you stepped up to the challenge of supporting our warfighters in Bosnia, Kosovo and locations around the world. Yet even as demands increased and manpower stretched thin, you executed the difficult business of closing two bases and transitioning another to Air Force Space Command. We also undertook logistics and sustainment improvements, sought to elevate quality of life for all AFMC people, advocated for stronger support of science and technology, and tackled tough challenges in the acquisition arena. Our operational tempo, like that of the rest of the Air Force, remained high. Rather than standing still, time sped up for us on Sept 11, 2001, and it has been accelerating ever since. I began this command in one era, and find I'm ending it in another. It is not clear if the world has changed forever, as some have suggested the world is always changing. But I do know the and will continue to conchallenges this nation faced front for the foreseeable future, are unprecedented. And these have focused the military, the Air Force and AFMC on the need to transform at a rapid pace. The AFMC mission is absolutely vital to the success of the Air Force, and to that end, we have embraced numerous initiatives in a continuing journey to pro-- : vide the world's best warfighters the world's best support. If there is one thing I hope I have done well, it is to have been of service to the people of AFMC in a significant way. A commander must lead, but I have always believed it equally important that a commander know how to serve those he leads. Letme just say by way of goodbye that I cannot imagine any finer assignment to close out my Air Force career than serving all of you who make AFMC what it is! I admire your dedication and resourcefulness in providing our nation's warfighters everything they need to root out tyrants and terrorists, deliver humanitarian aid, advance democracy, and protect our nation, our interests and our liberty. I know you will continue, under General "Speedy" Martin, to advance in service to the warfighter, to our nation, and to each other. He brings a warfighter's operational perspective, as well as great intelligence and an infectious enthusiasm for the command's mission. I am pleased AFMC will have this superb leader's stewardship as it works through transformation and reaches new heights. Good luck, and may God bless all of you, as Mina and I have been blessed to be proud members of this AFMC famify! cradle-to-grav- post-9-1- ing playing cards at several stops around base, People working in several base buildings will be without hot water this weekend due to annual maintenance of the steam distribution system. The annual steam outage starts Friday at 4 p.m. and continues through Sunday at midnight. There will be no steam for those facilities that hot water or use steam in have an industrial capacity. Buildings affected are 100, 133, 134, 141, 142, steam-generate- 146, 236, 507, 577, 150, 237, 508, 578, d 180, 238, 509, 589, 202, 256, 510, 590, 205, 257, 511, 591, 206, 214, 220, 230, 233, 265, 270, 287, 295, 505, 512, 514, 515, 575, 576, 592, 593, 594, 596, 597 prizes. The event is mandatory for military motorcyclists. Civilian employees are encouraged to attend the event, and approval of liberal leave has been authorized for civilian employees (appropriated and non 1, promotion to major The distribution system that affects Bldgs. 245, 308, 345, 349,' 350, 351, 357, 358, 361, 363, 365, 366, 400, 430, 440, 441, 445, 450, 460, 475, 483, 517, 518, 519, 520, 521, 522, 523, 525, 534 and 570 will be shut down at midnight Saturday. All steam to both distribution systems will be back up by midnight Sunday. The outage is necessary for annual repair and maintenance. For more information, contact Daniel Bybee, 75th Civil Engineer Squadron general foreman of boiler operations, at Ext. 249, 364, 461, 524, or Nineteen Hill AFB captains are among 2,215 recently selected for promotion to major. The selectees were chosen from 3,036 officers for pro- motion. The new majors and their units are: Stanley Springer, Ogden ALC Command Section; Bernadette Dozier, 368th Recruiting Squadron; Michael Sampson, Air Force ROTC Det. 860; Donald Dixon, 84th Radar Evaluation Squadron; David Crenshaw, Shane Henderson, Jack Miner, Mature and Proven Aircraft Directorate; Timothy Burke, Logistics Management Directorate; Brian Crum, Scott Grover, 649th Combat Logistics Support Squadron; Ethan Davis, ICBM System Program Office; Joseph Gardenhouse, Stevan Kaighen, Maintenance Directorate; ' Whitworth-Nurs- e noted that blood collected from Hill donors lias been used to benefit base patients. "A technical sergeant's daughter had leukemia, and over time she received 55 units of blood from Hill donors," she said. "The family has since PCS'ed to the Wilford Hall Medical Center, but the blood from Hill donors kept her going while she was here." For more details on the Hill blood program or at Friday's donation, contact Whitworth-Nurs- e Ext or appropriated) . Employees desiring leave should make their requests known to their supervisors as soon as possible. Supervisors are encouraged to grant requests for annual leave, previously earned compensatory time or credit hours, or leave without pay, whenever mission support allows and in accordance with the normal leave rules. For more details, contact Jimmy Campbell at Ext. 19 selected for and 598. Blood program needs donors The Hill blood program will collect donations n in the 419th Medical Friday from 9 Donors 568. are accepted on a Building, Bldg. walk-ibasis and no appointment is necessary. "We need approximately 1,800 units of blood each month to cover the needs of the critically ill patients in these hospitals," according to Essie Whitworth-Nurse- , Hill Blood Program officer. "One unit of blood can help up to three different individuals. Red cells benefit mostly surgery patients, plasma is used for cancer and burn patients, and platelets help stop bleeding." com- peting to build the best poker hand. The poker run will end at the Ogden ALC headquarters, Bldg. 1102, where Maj. Gen. Kevin Sullivan will present contest Steam outage starts Friday n Sunny AFMCNS: What are your initial plans and expectations for AFMC? by Gen. Lester Lyles AFMC Commander Motorcycle safety rally planned Wednesday a.m.-noo- 85 High 62 Low make sure that the Path chosen is one that all of those Gen. Gregory AFMCNS: Do you think your experience in operational commands will help you as AFMC commander? Martin: I hope so. Going into this command, I know there www.airfield-ops- AFMCNS: What do you expect from us? Martin: I hope that I'll receive the same sense of dedication and loyalty from the officers, enlisted and Air Force civilian members of this command that were so obvious to me as a warfighter in the field during the Global War on Terrorism. And I hope that when we see a better way of doing the job or we make a change in either the structure or the relationships of our organization, that we pursue those changes with enthusiasm and the attitude that will allow them to be suc- cessfui. try very hard to am the answer to any problem I face by myself. It usually comes from a thorough and detailed review of facts and opinions from many others associated with that issue or problem. Then I try very hard to make sure that the path chosen is one that all of those involved will understand, internalize and execute with a sense of ownership and determination. 5-d- ay acquisition cycle times and credibility. I will look for ways to continue to improve the speed in which we deliver the latest science and technology innovations to our weapons systems. I will continue the focus Gen. Lyles has had on creating the expeditionary culture and mindset within this command. And everywhere we can, we'll try to become, as Gen. Lyles has stated, more efficient and effective in everything we do. understand, internalize and execute with a sense of ownership and determination. AFMCNS: What kind of leader is Gen. Gregory Martin? Martin: It's hard to capture a concept like that; I care deeply for the people. I care just as deeply for the mission. In the end, probably the most important feature is that I rarely have Hill AFB weather outlook opportunity to reconnect our command and the assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition organization in a way that will provide tremendous energy and improvement to our involved will y. ficult problems and brings them to a successful and important conclusion. Zi-- I hope to continue the positive direction he set out for this command. Along the way I think well find, as is true in any organization, some loose ends and areas where 111 be able to provide my operational perspective and leadership and make improvements to a command that's already carrying huge responsibilities for our Air Force. Specifically, I think we have a golden Lyles bids AFMC goodbye . ; Kimberly Johnson, Statt Judge Advocate; Wayne Meekma, Space and C3I Systems Directorate; Jeffrey Moody, Con- tracting Directorate; Kenneth Beale, Base Chapel; Nancy Keithley, 75th Maintenance Operations Squadron; Chris- tine Rilovick, 775th Civil Engineer Squadron; The entire list of major selectees is posted on the Air Force Personnel Center home page, www.afpc.ran- - f dolph.af.mil. I 1 '4 - - |