AFSC News

New 76th CMXG commander excited to be here

  • Published
  • By April McDonald
  • Editor
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE,Okla. --  Col. Robert W. Jackson II is fired up about joining the 76th Commodities Maintenance Group team.

"The work you do here is so, so important," the colonel said to members of the 76th CMXG. "You touch 76 percent of the Air Force's aircraft inventory. Wow! What a huge mission. I am completely in awe of you depot maintenance rock stars. It is clear that I'm joining a winning team with a track record of success and accomplishment."
The colonel assumed command of the group July 10 in a ceremony at Hollywood and Vine in Bldg. 3001.

Brig. Gen. Mark Johnson, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex commander and presiding officer at the ceremony, said Colonel Jackson is the right man to lead the team to a new level of the Art of the Possible.

"I have every confidence in your ability and the ability of your team -- and in the support structure that is all of Team Tinker -- to help you achieve success," the general said. "I look forward to watching you lead this great team to pursue Art of the Possible in your way as we work together to deliver combat power for America."
General Johnson noted the importance of the 76th CMXG, not only to the OC-ALC and Air Force Sustainment Center, but to the entire Air Force.

"I may get some argument, but I think this might be the most complex organization to manage in this ALC," General Johnson said, adding that CMXG handles 56,000 different items -- ranging from small engines to flight controls and oxygen systems to parachutes and life support equipment -- and generates  nearly half a billion dollars in revenue annually.

"Simply stated, our Air Force does not fly and our center and our complex cannot enable air power without this Commodities Maintenance Group," he said.

Colonel Jackson comes to Tinker from Hurlburt Field, Fla., where he was the chief of the maintenance division and the director of logistics on the Air Force Special Operations Command headquarters staff. He had oversight of all maintenance activities for 248 special operations aircraft in 18 mission design series. His portfolio was over $16 billion and he oversaw the policy, process and procedures for 4,600 maintenance personnel supporting special operations forces around the world.

"I know from personal experience that special operators are demanding customers," General Johnson said. "I want you to take that experience and put it to use here."

Colonel Jackson replaces former commander Col. Leigh Method, who retired in June. General Johnson took time to publicly thank Colonel Method for her leadership one last time.

"She did a great job," the general said. "She advanced the Art of the Possible in new ways and she set this organization up for success."

Colonel Jackson said he was impressed with the work the CMXG accomplished under Colonel Method's leadership and he looks forward to continuing the legacy.

"I'm particularly impressed by your accomplishments in providing warfighter support," he said. "I'm also impressed with the initiatives to improve organic manufacturing, rapid prototyping and reverse engineering. These initiatives provide the Air Force supply chain greater speed, flexibility and responsiveness in meeting warfighter demands."

However, Colonel Jackson said, the group can't rest on its laurels or bask in the glow of past successes.

"We must continue improving, always pushing the bounds on the Art of the Possible," he said. "Our country is at a crossroads. Current and future generations demand our continued success in the face of increasing demands and shrinking resources.

"Never forget, there are Airmen in harm's way who are counting on us. In fact, every Soldier, Sailor, Marine, Coast Guardsman and coalition partner forward-deployed in the fight is counting on us. In this effort we will not falter and we will not fail."

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