Chief of staff emphasizes logisticians' role

  • Published
  • By John Scaggs
  • Air Force Material Command Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFNS) --  You don't have to sell Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz on the value of logistics.

"Acquisition, engineering and wholesale logistics form the foundation of numerous Air Force capabilities ... Logistics professionals who perform these services are critical to everything the Air Force does and to its success."

The chief of staff made those remarks Oct. 13 while speaking to about 1,200 attendees from logistics career fields during the first day of the Logistics Officer Association conference. The conference is taking place in Columbus, Ohio and will end Oct. 15.

The Logistics Officer Association is an organization that strives to enhance the military logistics profession. The conference provides an open forum to promote quality logistical support and logistics officer professional development.

General Schwartz praised logisticians for their efforts to keep Air Force weapon systems ready well beyond their intended, designed service life.

"Our systems continue to perform miraculously because of what logisticians do," General Schwartz said.

He relayed two stories recently told to him by Army personnel. In one, an improvised explosive device stranded a group of 18 soldiers. One of the surviving soldiers said the enemy, numbering about 60, attacked the soldiers and killed five.

"He told me that when things looked bleak, there was a huge explosion not more than 100 meters from U.S. soldiers' location," General Schwartz said. "The Air Force delivered a close strike that neutralized the enemy.

"When I think about that story, I'm reminded how years of sustainment effort came together that day to save American lives and make that mission a success," the general added.

He also shared that an Army general with the 101st Airborne Division told General Schwartz that the infantry's best friend is an Air Force pilot.

"How does this tie in to the logistics community?" General Schwartz asked those in the audience. "Air Force pilots are there for ground troops because 'loggies' are always there.

"From 'loggies' who are on the ramp in hot zones, to those supporting efforts in theater, to 'loggies' delivering munitions, to those working acquisition and sustainment at our depots ... our aircraft would not have their capability, reliability and precision without the logistics community," he said.

General Schwartz challenged attendees to take advantage of the opportunities the LOA conference provides.

"There is no substitute for experience and leadership," the general said. "LOA is a critical component in educating Air Force logisticians. Network and build relationships while you're here.

"Remember that 'support' is not a dirty word," General Schwartz said. "Deliver what you promise. Making others successful is significant and worthy." 

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