Following promotion, General Kirkland assumes command of air logistics complex

  • Published
  • By April McDonald
  • Tinker Public Affairs
Sept. 7 was indeed "a great day to fly" for Col. Donald E. Kirkland.

In a ceremony at Hollywood and Vine in Bldg. 3001, Colonel Kirkland was promoted to brigadier general. Then, the former executive officer for the Chief of Staff of the Air Force assumed command of the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex.

"Milestones such as today are wonderful," General Kirkland said. "While the full importance of wearing the star leaves me speechless, I tell you honestly it remains a privilege to serve our Air Force in any capacity, at any rank, military or civilian."

Air Force Sustainment Center Commander Lt. Gen. Bruce Litchfield, who officiated the ceremony, talked about the team that will surround General Kirkland, telling the new commander that he is about to get a PhD-level education.

"The education you're going to get will be done by a group of masters, who have set the bar for what we do in terms of delivering airpower," General Litchfield said. "And these masters are going to teach you everything. They will be proud to show you what they do on a daily basis for our Air Force."

General Litchfield expressed pride in what the AFSC workforce does for the Air Force and the way that they do it.

"There is a saying around here, 'You get the right results the right way' and this team delivers that on a daily basis," he said. "I know you're all anxious to teach your new commander how you do it."

General Kirkland said he is fortunate to arrive at the advent of the AFSC. He said he is ready for the challenge of leading the OC-ALC because of the training and experience he has received during his Air Force career, the support he's received from family and friends and because of the team that will surround him going forward.

"I am proud to join this team of almost 10,000 men and women who generate airpower for our Air Force and our joint partners," he said. "They make possible our nation's ability to place targets at risk wherever they may be. These professionals ensure the battle will always be an away game and it will not be a fair fight. With its rich heritage, Tinker's air depot is nothing less than a national asset and its mission to sustain weapons system readiness is worthy of our best efforts."

Along with joining Team Sustainment, General Kirkland said he is proud to be a part of Team Tinker. He said the support of the 72nd Air Base Wing, Defense Logistics Agency, 448th Supply Chain Management Wing and other Tinker partners is vital to the OC-ALC's success.

"I look forward to being your teammate," he said.

General Litchfield also emphasized the teamwork aspect of Tinker's mission, not only within the OC-ALC, but with all the support organizations across base.

"That's the fun part of coming into this organization," General Litchfield said. "The other part is that they're never going to be satisfied. As good as they may be today, they know tomorrow is going to be better."

General Litchfield said as the bar is raised to a higher level and as Team Tinker strives for the Art of the Possible, there is no room for complacency.

"We're not going to be satisfied until we are world-class and record-breaking performers," he said. "There's a culture here that fully understands that tomorrow, someone's going to be better, so you're going to have to up the performance levels to stay ahead. And that's the exciting part about being in this complex.

"Actually, that's the exciting part about being in AFSC, the process improvement culture is spreading across 33,000 folks, eight wings and all locations. Everyone is pushing to make the team stronger."

General Kirkland joined the Air Force in 1988 through Officer Training School and is a career aircraft and munitions maintenance officer.

"I've heard it said around here that it's always a great day to fly and I can't wait to get started," he said.

Following promotion, General Kirkland assumes command of air logistics complex

  • Published
  • By April McDonald
  • Tinker Public Affairs
Sept. 7 was indeed "a great day to fly" for Col. Donald E. Kirkland.

In a ceremony at Hollywood and Vine in Bldg. 3001, Colonel Kirkland was promoted to brigadier general. Then, the former executive officer for the Chief of Staff of the Air Force assumed command of the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex.

"Milestones such as today are wonderful," General Kirkland said. "While the full importance of wearing the star leaves me speechless, I tell you honestly it remains a privilege to serve our Air Force in any capacity, at any rank, military or civilian."

Air Force Sustainment Center Commander Lt. Gen. Bruce Litchfield, who officiated the ceremony, talked about the team that will surround General Kirkland, telling the new commander that he is about to get a PhD-level education.

"The education you're going to get will be done by a group of masters, who have set the bar for what we do in terms of delivering airpower," General Litchfield said. "And these masters are going to teach you everything. They will be proud to show you what they do on a daily basis for our Air Force."

General Litchfield expressed pride in what the AFSC workforce does for the Air Force and the way that they do it.

"There is a saying around here, 'You get the right results the right way' and this team delivers that on a daily basis," he said. "I know you're all anxious to teach your new commander how you do it."

General Kirkland said he is fortunate to arrive at the advent of the AFSC. He said he is ready for the challenge of leading the OC-ALC because of the training and experience he has received during his Air Force career, the support he's received from family and friends and because of the team that will surround him going forward.

"I am proud to join this team of almost 10,000 men and women who generate airpower for our Air Force and our joint partners," he said. "They make possible our nation's ability to place targets at risk wherever they may be. These professionals ensure the battle will always be an away game and it will not be a fair fight. With its rich heritage, Tinker's air depot is nothing less than a national asset and its mission to sustain weapons system readiness is worthy of our best efforts."

Along with joining Team Sustainment, General Kirkland said he is proud to be a part of Team Tinker. He said the support of the 72nd Air Base Wing, Defense Logistics Agency, 448th Supply Chain Management Wing and other Tinker partners is vital to the OC-ALC's success.

"I look forward to being your teammate," he said.

General Litchfield also emphasized the teamwork aspect of Tinker's mission, not only within the OC-ALC, but with all the support organizations across base.

"That's the fun part of coming into this organization," General Litchfield said. "The other part is that they're never going to be satisfied. As good as they may be today, they know tomorrow is going to be better."

General Litchfield said as the bar is raised to a higher level and as Team Tinker strives for the Art of the Possible, there is no room for complacency.

"We're not going to be satisfied until we are world-class and record-breaking performers," he said. "There's a culture here that fully understands that tomorrow, someone's going to be better, so you're going to have to up the performance levels to stay ahead. And that's the exciting part about being in this complex.

"Actually, that's the exciting part about being in AFSC, the process improvement culture is spreading across 33,000 folks, eight wings and all locations. Everyone is pushing to make the team stronger."

General Kirkland joined the Air Force in 1988 through Officer Training School and is a career aircraft and munitions maintenance officer.

"I've heard it said around here that it's always a great day to fly and I can't wait to get started," he said.