RICHMOND, Va. –
Air Force Lt. Col. Allen Miller assumed command of Defense Logistics Agency Aviation at Oklahoma City during an Aug. 15 ceremony in the Tinker Event Center Ballroom on Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma.
DLA Aviation Commander Air Force Col. Patrick Launey presided over the ceremony. He commended the Oklahoma City team for their immense accomplishments while responsibly managing one of the largest of Aviation’s Industrial Support Activities.
“In just the last 12 months, they have provided over 253,000 issues with a total cost of $952 million,” said Launey, while underscoring the team’s dedication to the warfighters.
“For my agency teammates here, as we look to the future, we know many challenges await,” he said. “We need to be adaptable, resilient and innovative in our approach, and we also need to be willing to take calculated risks and try new things.”
Launey introduced the new commander as a leader who exemplifies mission focus and success while prioritizing his team’s well-being, traits Launey saw firsthand during a previous assignment when Miller was a division chief under his leadership.
“Allen led his team to solve problems with an unblinking eye, not just to get the mission done, but taking care of the people throughout very heavy and weighty challenges,” Launey said. “He did it every day with a smile on his face, and a level of grace and a positive attitude that was infectious to his team.”
“Your arrival is a huge win for DLA, the Air Force and specifically the team in Oklahoma City,” said Launey. “You are absolutely the right leader right now to lead this organization of expert professionals.”
After accepting the DLA guidon, Miller stepped forward to address his new team.
“As (DLA Director) Lt. Gen. (Mark) Simerly says, we operate in a dynamic world: rapid adaptation, decision advantage and resiliency are key to our success,” Miller said. “We may face new workloads and emerging challenges within the industrial base, and our enemies may make moves that require us to create solutions we don’t yet know we need – but I am certain we are capable of achieving whatever we face as a team.”
Articulating his vision for the future, Miller framed it around three core principles: growth, teamwork and joy. He urged his team to embrace challenges and prioritize collaboration, while encouraging them to work with meaning and toward achievements with joy.
“I am thankful and humbled to be a part of this team, and I look forward to working together to grow, function as a team and spread a bit of joy as we do it,” he concluded.