RICHMOND, Va. —
The Protection Logistics Company Aviation at Oklahoma Metropolis crew welcomed their new commander throughout a change of command ceremony June 6 at Tinker Air Drive Base, Oklahoma.
Air Drive Brig. Gen. Sean Tyler, DLA Aviation commander, oversaw the ceremony the place Air Drive Lt. Col. Katrina Smith took cost of the DLA Aviation industrial help exercise from Air Drive Col. Robert Magee. Brig. Gen. Brian Moore, commander of the Oklahoma Metropolis Air Logistics Advanced, Tinker Air Drive Base, additionally attended the occasion.
The date of the ceremony coincided with the eightieth anniversary commemorating D-Day landings in 1944, which Tyler referred to as one of many “most sacred and vital days in U.S. navy historical past.”
“I point out it primarily as a result of I realized just lately that 13 years in the past as we speak, Col. Magee, to my left, was leaping into Normandy on the 67th D-day anniversary,” he mentioned. “It is a truth that does not shock me, as ‘Mags’ actually leaped proper into motion when he assumed command right here in July of 2022.”
Since then, Tyler mentioned DLA Aviation has benefitted from Magee’s distinctive skills whereas main the crew there.
“Mags has actually emboldened an already robust – and made it stronger – tradition right here in Oklahoma Metropolis with the DLA crew by steady emphasis on folks and their concepts for enchancment,” he mentioned. “His ‘Each Voice Issues’ theme earned buy-in on the grassroots of the group, as evidenced by 14 totally different course of enchancment initiatives that saved DoD and the taxpayers greater than half one million {dollars}.”
Throughout his time in command, Magee drove the creation of Aviation’s first Transformation Division, the place a crew centered on course of and security enhancements from suggestions from different staff. Tyler mentioned Magee’s priorities by no means wavered from supporting the ALC mission, taking good care of his crew, and establishing situations for future success.
“I watched from our Aviation Headquarters in Richmond as you all – our DLA Aviation crew right here at Tinker – devoted numerous hours advocating for options, setting the stage for improved supportability, and pushing the envelope of risk to make sure our help is all the time available,” Tyler mentioned. “It’s clear that a terrific chief can accomplish so much in two years’ time. Mags, you permit a everlasting mark of excellence on this group and its folks. I thanks on your robust management, humility, care and repair to our Air Drive and the Protection Logistics Company.”
Following his remarks, Tyler offered Magee with the Protection Meritorious Service Medal for his “management and dedication” to warfighter components supportability at Tinker, earlier than turning the microphone over to the outgoing commander.
Magee opened his feedback by sharing the identical two-word phrase he first uttered when taking cost of the unit in July 2022: “Individuals Matter.”
“I used to be at this exact same podium, and I seemed up and noticed 20 folks,” he mentioned, sharing a vignette from his COVID-era assumption of command ceremony. “All of the chairs had been there, (however) they had been all empty. None of them I knew, no household, no pals. It was a bit alarming.
“It’s modified now,” Magee continued. “I look out, and I see the superb chief and common (who) was with me on that stage who stayed and wished to see me off. However I look throughout to each one in all these faces, I do know (them) now. I see household. I see pals. I see teammates. And once I say folks matter, you made me really feel like I mattered. So, thanks very a lot.”
Magee took time to thank Tyler for his management together with a number of others within the Oklahoma Metropolis footprint he served with throughout his tenure.
“To my DLA teammates, I prolong to you my deepest gratitude,” he mentioned. “Your tireless dedication, selfless service and unwavering dedication to supporting the warfighter have been the driving pressure behind our success. It was by no means me. It was all of you. I used to be simply excited to look at it occur.”
Up subsequent for Magee is an task because the sixth Mission Assist Group commander at MacDill Air Drive Base in Tampa, Florida.
Recent off an task because the deputy commander of the thirty first Mission Assist Group at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Smith is properly suited to take the reins of the DLA Aviation presence in Oklahoma Metropolis, Tyler mentioned.
“Kat brings along with her a set of impeccable credentials as a shining star within the logistics neighborhood,” Tyler mentioned. “Kat, my cost to you could be very easy. It’s to be daring, all the time preserve the ALC mission on the forefront, and proceed to take care of the complete DLA crew right here at Tinker Air Drive Base. I want you the very best of luck.”
Smith, who has been chosen for the rank of colonel and can pin quickly, mentioned she was excited to hitch the superb crew at Oklahoma Metropolis.
“Gen. Tyler, thanks for the belief and confidence positioned in me with this place; it’s all the time a humbling expertise to be chosen for command, and it’s a privilege and duty that I don’t take flippantly,” she mentioned. “DLA Aviation at Oklahoma Metropolis is a well-respected and credible group serving the Oklahoma Metropolis Air Logistics Advanced and warfighters throughout the globe. We’ll stay a warfighter-focused group devoted to readiness and high quality customer support. As Col. Magee departs, he leaves behind a robust legacy that we are going to construct upon for continued mission success.”
