Commander shares AMCOM perspective at symposium

By Dan O'BoyleNovember 25, 2014

Commander shares AMCOM perspective at symposium
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Under the theme, "Improving Capability through Modernization and Sustainment," Maj. Gen. Jim Richardson, AMCOM Commander, opened his update remarks, Wednesday at the von Braun Center, with an Operation Rock Avalanche video clip.

The video depicted, to the Aviation Product Symposium audience, a Medevac Black Hawk helicopter that returned from its mission with 78 bullet holes.

"I show this because it's all about that guy on the ground," Richardson said. It's about delivering readiness to the Soldier.'

Showing Mission, Vision and Priority graphics, the commander then stressed that the 10,000-strong AMCOM workforce is operationally focused to support everyone in the field.

"I learned a long time ago that you've got to have buy in before you can effect change," Richardson said. "We are responsive because there is constant communication, and because AMCOM values its relationship with industry. Our goal is to reduce the maintenance burden on our Soldiers."

The AMCOM vision for 2025 operation design slide, features six core competencies:

• Support to Acquisition

• Sustainment Logistics

• Organic Industrial Base

• Field/Sustainment Maintenance

• Calibration

• Security Assistance

"The last five years doesn't matter," Richardson said. "We've got to focus on the tip

of the spear; we've got to look at ourselves differently."

The outcome of the vision is a capable, technically advanced workforce and infrastructure to support future weapons systems.

In terms of fiscal 2014 Accomplishments:

• 251 aircraft have been Reset at seven sites

• 374,609 calibration actions have been completed in support of the Joint Warfighter

• $14.6 billion worth of Foreign Military Sales has been recorded in 973 cases

That notwithstanding, Richardson said, Like Satchel Paige, AMCOM can't afford to look back.