Gen. Hoffman assumes leadership of AF Materiel Command

  • Published
  • By John Scaggs
  • Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFNS) --  Gen. Donald J. Hoffman assumed command of the organization responsible for the technology, acquisition, test and sustainment of the service's current and future weapon systems during a ceremony here Nov. 21.

General Hoffman took the reins of Air Force Materiel Command from Gen. Bruce Carlson during a change of command held at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. General Carlson, who had served as the commander of AFMC since August 2005, is retiring after 37 years of service.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz presided over the change of command and began by highlighting General Carlson's unwavering leadership in establishing a vision known to everyone in AFMC: war-winning capabilities -- on time, on cost.

"Bruce, you can be confident that AFMC successfully delivers war-winning expeditionary capabilities to the warfighter," General Schwartz said. "Your work is going to pay wonderful dividends for years to come.

"You leave a legacy of excellence and you were a friend to all Airmen," General Schwartz continued. "We wish you and Vicki the very best."

General Carlson, who has led AFMC since August 2005, told the crowd that he considered it an honor to serve and learn from such a diverse and talented group of people.

"During my tenure as AFMC commander, it was a privilege to serve alongside people who were unified in purpose and in decision," he said. "It's a remarkable opportunity for a commander when you have a group of people like that around you. The men and women of AFMC understand the mission, comprehend the goals and work hard to ensure they are accomplished. God bless each of you for your service and God bless the U.S. Air Force."

General Schwartz emphasized AFMC's vital role in the Air Force's national security capability and added that he is confident General Hoffman will lead the command to acquisition and sustainment excellence.

"So much of the Air Force's success hinges on leadership," General Schwartz said. "General Hoffman will lead a command whose work will be critically important to our Air Force and this nation in the years ahead."

General Hoffman thanked General Schwartz and Air Force Secretary Michael Donley for their faith in his ability to lead AFMC and then stated he was looking forward to working alongside AFMC's Airmen, civilians and contractors.

"I'm honored to join this team," General Hoffman said. "Together, we will continue to produce a product and provide services for our warfighters that will dissuade and deter those who wish us harm. Your efforts help keep this nation safe."

Prior to the change of command, General Hoffman received his fourth star during a brief promotion ceremony. After serving as the military deputy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition at the Pentagon for the past three years, General Hoffman becomes the seventh AFMC commander since AFMC stood up on July 1, 1992. He will now lead a work force currently numbering about 74,000 people and manage an annual budget of about $59 billion.

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