Air Mobility Command moved toward a supply process transformation March 29 when the Regional Supply Squadron here was re-designated as the Mobility Logistics Support Center.

The center will provide mobility air forces with one stop for ordering, shipping and tracking supplies to troops worldwide.

"This new structure takes care of our warfighters around the world by giving them support, when they need it, where they need it, in a timely manner," said Brig. Gen. Gary T. McCoy, director of Logistics Readiness for the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Installations and Mission Support at Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.

In addition, a Combat Logistics Support Center will open at Langley Air Force Base, Va., to assist air combat forces.

"The new logistics support centers are mainly a weapon system capability-focused structure," General McCoy said. "All of this is a part of shaping the future of the Air Force by making it a highly expeditionary, capable, lean force."

The factors for driving the change are clear, said General McCoy.

"As part of expeditionary logistics in the 21st century there are two important goals: to improve aircraft availability and drive down costs," he said.

"I am so inspired by the young Airmen and officers who I have seen today," he said. "They have the innovative ideas, and they understand what it means to support the warfighter."

In the past, five major command regional supply squadrons controlled all supply back-shop functions for their command's bases, to include funding, stock control, equipment and records management.

These regional squadrons were constrained in geographical boundaries which required support from two or more centers when units were deployed to a different area of operations.

Now when Airmen deploy, they will work with the same support center home and abroad.

While regional logistics sites will remain in various locations around the world, the centers will be the hubs providing oversight to everything from maintenance and the distribution of supplies, to forecasting the need for supplies.

"This (restructure) is part of an evolution," General McCoy said. "As the Air Force evolves, logistics must keep pace with that. We know that the global war on terror will be with us for a while. We know that we must win that war and logistics plays a key role in that victory."

(Courtesy of Air Mobility Command News Service)