REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Broad ranging strategic discussions were on the agenda during a recent visit to Headquarters, Army Materiel Command by the Honorable Heidi Shyu, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics & Technology).
Shyu, accompanied by Gabe Camarillo, principal deputy assistant secretary for ASA (ALT), visited Redstone Arsenal April 3 -6 to meet with Headquarters AMC leadership, members of the Army Contracting Command, and PEO Missiles and Space.
"This is the second of a series of recently instituted quarterly sessions to synchronize strategies, map out the future, and sustain a strong partnership as ASA(AL&T) and AMC work together closely on some of the most challenging areas faced by the Army today," said John Nerger, AMC's executive deputy to the commanding general.
Shyu and AMC Commander, Gen. Dennis L. Via met privately to guarantee open and frank dialogue, accompanied only by their military and civilian deputies: Lt. Gen. Bill Phillips, Lt. Gen. Patricia McQuistion, Camarillo and Nerger.
According to Nerger, they also took advantage of this visit to conduct a detailed review of retrograde progress in Afghanistan in the wake of their joint visit to theater this past January.
"The two leaders are focused on completing retrograde from Afghanistan, recognizing that the top priority continues to be support to the Joint Warfighter," Nerger said. "They are especially interested in identifying and resolving obstacles that impede the movement and velocity of equipment and materiel, and ensuring we maintain complete visibility as it moves through the distribution pipeline."
The two senior leaders plan to continue their joint visits to theater in order to assess conditions first-hand and meet with leaders on the ground to ensure all possible support is being provided to meet DoD's missions and end state objectives.
"Ms. Shyu was particularly impressed with the detailed common operating picture and established metrics to follow the progress of retrograde," Nerger said.
AMC and ASA(ALT) have a unique and critical relationship. "The relationship between Ms. Shyu and Gen. Via can best be described as one based on exceptional trust, deep mutual respect, and strong commitment to collaboration -- the type of relationship they expect at all levels throughout their respective organizations," Nerger said.
In the coming months, the ASA(AL&T)/AMC leadership team agreed they must take advantage of opportunities inherent under the current fiscal conditions to make tough decisions and meaningful change, according to Nerger.
The leaders agreed to meet again in several months and continue strengthening their partnership, taking action to maintain Army readiness, working closely on budget and Personnel Operations and Management (POM) development, dealing with the impacts of sequestration and shaping the future.
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