Although they were clad in mufti, the 500-plus attendees at AMCOM's Advance Planning Briefing for Industry on March 4 in Bob Jones Auditoium could well have been general officers.

"I briefed these same charts to the chief of staff of the Army three weeks ago," AMCOM commander Maj. Gen. Jim Richardson said. "You're getting the brief that he got. I've flown over Iraq many, many times, and I was able to do that because of the great support that you provide every single day to our Soldiers. And that's what I told the chief."

He addressed the mission and vision statements for the Aviation and Missile Command.

"We have looked at the operational environment and arrived at a team-crafted mission and vision for the command," Richardson said. "It's our job to support the guy on the ground. That's why we are here, and that's why we exist."

AMCOM is devoted to optimization and responsiveness.

"We have knobs and dials that we can turn to help units," Richardson said. "Our mission statement is very important."

He has spent four years in Afghanistan and two in Iraq.

"For me, it's time to give back what was given to me," Richardson said. "I could not have done what I did without AMCOM -- without your support -- and that's why I am here. Every single decision I make, every single day is with the Soldier in mind."

Enabling sustainable readiness to the Warfighter on the ground is the top priority.

"I can't wait and sit behind my desk waiting for commanders to call me," Richardson said. "I've got to be calling them. This is not an 8-to-5 organization. People are our most important asset. When I say people, I mean Soldiers, civilians and contractors."

Trust and transparency are paramount as the command marches through the next 10 years to 2025.

In terms of a key takeaway, Richardson cited that intent, drawing singular attention to leveraging public private partnerships to improve depot competitiveness.

"I listen to contractors," he said. "I want to hear from you. You know the physical reality of the budget. You are where the rubber meets the road. It doesn't matter what size you are, you all have something to offer."