FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- With historical helicopters and other aircraft poised overhead, a time-honored tradition welcoming the new commander of the Aviation and Missile Command's Aviation Center Logistics Command took place at the Army Aviation Museum at Fort Rucker on June 28.
In the change of command ceremony, Col. Michael Best, a Black Hawk aviator who most recently served as the deputy director of Army Aviation in the Pentagon, assumed command of ACLC from Col. Kenneth Kliethermes, an Apache aviator who is moving on to serve as an instructor at the Air Force's Air War College in Montgomery.
Kliethermes commanded ACLC during a period of significant change as the 3,500-employee government-contractor organization adapted to meet the new requirements of the Army's Aviation Restructuring Initiative and addressed budget restraints.
"This Soldier and civilian team has accomplished a lot since I've been here. I can't be more proud of the maintenance, logistics and sustainment support they have provided to Army Aviation here in the land of the fighting boll weevil," Kliethermes said.
"Since I've been here, Army Aviation has changed in a big way. ACLC has had a vital role in successfully managing that change."
In the past three years, more than 350 helicopters have either transferred in or out of Fort Rucker as the aviation fleet has transitioned with the Army Restructuring Initiative. The fleet has been divested of the OH-58D Kiowa Warriors and is soon to be divested of its entire TH-67 fleet. It is further managing integration of the UH-72 Black Hawks, AH-64E Apaches, UH-60M Black Hawks and CH-47 Chinooks.
During Kliethermes' command, ACLC has provided support for 147,000 helicopter missions, conducted 15,000 quality assurance inspections, provided 4,500 quality deficiency reports and issued 140 contract modifications on the $1.98 billion five-year contract that provides maintenance and sustainment for more than 600 helicopters used in the training mission overseen by the Army's Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker.
Kliethermes said, with a smile and to laughter from the audience, that he's participated in 300 video teleconferences, received 90,000 emails from aviation friends and officiated at 29 retirements.
"It's hard to believe what we've accomplished … Our bench is not deep. But our employees give it their all when they step up to the plate," said the St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan.
ACLC successfully completes its mission every day because of its hard working, smart and committed employees and the families who support them, he said.
"The mission of ACLC is not an easy one," said Brig. Gen. (promotable) Douglas Gabram, commander of the Aviation and Missile Command who officiated at the ceremony.
"Their vision states 'Quality fully mission capable aircraft, every mission, every time.' This simple yet powerful message provides roughly 3,000 aviation maintainers a clear and concise message as to what is needed to ensure a 98 percent readiness rate, for a mixed fleet of 600 technically advanced aircraft … every day, all while being stewards of government resources in an inherently dangerous business."
ACLC provides maintenance support for a fleet of helicopters used to train and prepare aviators to win the nation's wars as members of the Army's Combat Aviation Brigades, he said. ACLC continues to meet that mission challenge, even during the past 24 months due to the changes caused by the Aviation Restructuring Initiative.
"At the end of the day, there's one thing that has facilitated that transformation here at ACLC, and that's the leadership, guidance and vision provided by Col. Ken Kliethermes," Gabram said. "Managing transitions is never easy, especially when there are strategic implications, but Ken and his team handled it as true professionals ensuring a flawless transition to the customer… our warfighters."
That transition continues, now, with leadership as the ACLC change of command demonstrates the seamless change from one high quality leader to another, Gabram said.
ACLC's new commander, he said, is qualified to "lead the ACLC team through its next set of tough and challenging missions."
Best is a former brigade S4 (supply and logistics), battalion and brigade executive officer, an Aviation Support Battalion commander and most recently Army Aviation's deputy director (G3/5/7) at the Pentagon.
"Mike is no stranger to the world of aviation maintenance and logistics. I can think of no other qualifications or officer more prepared to take command of the Aviation Center Logistics Command than Mike Best. He knows what is expected not just from AMOCM and USAACE, but also from our nation and ultimate our aviation warfighters."
Best said he and his family are glad to be back in the Wiregrass community and that he is humbled to be selected to join such a successful team.
Providing safe and ready aircraft to USAACE requires a "team of teams aspect critical to our success, and that is evident in the dedicated and selfless service of the ACLC team."
Best expressed his appreciation to Kliethermes' leadership of ACLC, and said he looks forward to continuing partnerships across the Army aviation enterprise, and "fostering relationships, dialogues and details that truly set us up for future success."
Both Best and Kliethermes, who received the Legion of Merit and Order of St. Michael Silver Award during a separate awards ceremony, thanked their families, friends and mentors for support. Kliethermes said the complexity of ACLC has made him a better commander and its success is possible because of its government civilian and military, and its contract employees.
"This is a unique organization in that most aviation commanders have maintenance experience, but limited contracting experience," Kliethermes said during an interview prior to the ceremony. "To come into an organization this big and succeed, you have to have a strong staff that you can rely on to give you good quality data so you can make good decisions.
"The people here take a lot of pride in their work. They work hard and understand a good day's work. When they see an aircraft flying they know they are part of the bigger Army mission."
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