Tinker passes control of maintenance depot
Logistics commander is taking new rank, position at Pentagon

BY BRYAN DEAN Comments 0
Published: January 8, 2009

Gen. Donald Hoffman, commander of Air Force Materiel Command, passes the Tinker Air Logistics Center flag to incoming commander Maj. Gen. P. David Gillett on Wednesday as outgoing commander Maj. Gen. Loren Reno looks on during a change-of-command ceremony. Photo by David McDaniel, The Oklahoman

As a flag was passed between two men on a stage at Tinker Air Force Base’s Air Logistics Center on Wednesday, the responsibility for running one of the state’s largest employers also changed hands.

Multimedia

Photoview all photos

Maj. Gen. Loren Reno, who has led the base’s maintenance depot since May of 2007, passed leadership to Maj. Gen. P. David Gillett Jr.

Reno is set to take a job at the Pentagon in Washington as he is promoted to lieutenant general.

Gillett, who was stationed at Tinker from June of 2000 to April of 2001, said he is glad to be back. He said the airmen and civilian workers at the depot must never forget that the nation is at war.

"Each of us must perform to standard every day with precision and without exception,” Gillett said. "Our common mission doesn’t allow for anything less.”

Reno thanked those in attendance — dignitaries included Lt. Gov. Jari Askins, several state legislators and former commanders at Tinker. Reno saved some of his most glowing praise for the depot’s 13,000 employees, mentioning many of the awards they’ve received during his tenure.

"I’m thankful to our workers, who work faithfully and patriotically serve this nation and this Air Force,” Reno said.

During the ceremony, Reno and Gillett took part in a traditional passing of the depot’s colors. Officiating the ceremony was Gen. Donald Hoffman, commander of Air Force Materiel Command, which oversees Tinker and the Air Force’s other two air logistics centers in Ohio and Georgia.

Hoffman saluted both Reno and Gillett, saying the country has come to rely on Tinker to keep aging aircraft like the KC-135 Stratotanker in the air.

"The nation absolutely depends on the capability of this depot,” Hoffman said. "The citizens of this nation can sleep well knowing men and women of their caliber have chosen to serve.”