REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Amid escalating tensions from North Korea, the threat of Russian aggression and potential terrorism, Army Materiel Command has remained focused in 2017 on equipping the nation's fighting force around the world.
The Army's top logistician, Gen. Gus Perna, spent his first full year at the helm of the command to ensure subordinate units and capabilities are synchronized and integrated in support of the Army's top priority of readiness.
"We are focused on how we support and project our force in these challenging times, and how we ensure our efforts are directly linked to the Soldier on the battlefield," Perna said, noting AMC aligns its efforts in support of Army priorities and Combatant Command requirements.
During the past decade and a half, deployed U.S. troops relied on contractor support for supply and maintenance transactions, so Soldiers could focus on the mission at hand. AMC is laser-focused on managing the logistics of the Army's transition to a force that will deal with counter-insurgency operations--and that means an increase in operations tempo and decrease in loss of Soldier logistics skills.
"The most important change, in my view, was … breaking the paradigm, taking them off the hamster wheel," Perna told reporters in November, in regard to challenges of contractor intellectual property and changing long-held practices in favor of adapting to an ever-changing environment.
To that end, the security enterprise plays a key role in Perna's four priorities of the Korean Peninsula, the Current Fight (Central Command), Readiness (Forces Command) and Europe, which falls in line with Defense Secretary James Mattis' line of effort of Ensuring Our Military is Ready to Fight and Instituting Reforms throughout DOD, as well as Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley's number one goal of readiness.
As one of three Army Commands, and the one responsible for the readiness of the entire force, AMC never slows down.
Key events throughout 2017 included the Association of the U.S. Army's Global Force Symposium and Exposition, retirements, community partnerships and senior leadership changes, including members of the Senior Executive Service, like Nathan Godwin.
Just after the New Year, Godwin was appointed AMC Deputy Chief of Staff for Current Operations, moving from his position as Director of the Current Operations Directorate Jan. 8.
The following week, Reserve Component Soldiers oversaw transportation of Class V (ammunition) to various specified locations throughout the country in order to assist the retrograde of contingency operations in support of Army Sustainment Command.
On Jan. 26, AMC's scientists and engineers, members of one of the Army's largest career programs, participated in a career day tailored to their fields and offered detailed information on developing a career roadmap.
In February, AMC hosted a Senior Leaders Forum, a Global Town Hall and participated in the Huntsville State of the Schools address.
Perna traveled to Warren, Michigan, March 7-8, for a series of briefings and updates with U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command units and partners. He also took the opportunity to host a town hall meeting with item managers from TACOM's Integrated Logistics Support Center and stressed the importance of providing Soldiers what they need and the vital role employees have in supporting the warfighter.
"Your proximity to the war is not a direct correlation to your contribution. If all spare parts are there, I'm telling you, you are contributing to victory. That is how we can look a Soldier in the face and say we have done everything we can to make sure they have everything they need to go face the enemy," Perna told the standing-room only crowd.
On March 17, Perna hosted a change of responsibility on the AMC parade field for AMC's senior enlisted leader, from Command Sgt. Maj. James K. Sims to Command Sgt. Maj. Rodger Mansker. Mansker's last duty assignment was as the Headquarters, Department of the Army, Deputy Chief of Staff-G-4 Sergeant Major. Sims, who served 13 of his 33 years in uniform as a sergeant major, retired during a ceremony at Fort Lee, Virginia, in April. He was AMC's CSM more than three years.
The Chief of Staff of the Army visited AMC equities at Redstone Arsenal and Anniston Army Depot, April 17, to learn more about the command's critical link to Soldiers on the battlefield. This was Milley's second visit to the installation since he assumed the role as the Army's most senior uniformed officer in August 2015.
"While far from the front lines, both Redstone Arsenal and Anniston Army Depot are directly linked to the battlefield," Milley said. "Army Materiel Command has an enormous mission to provide materiel readiness and ensure we remain the best-equipped fighting force in the world."
Milley's first stop was the Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center's Software Engineering Directorate, where the general viewed three projects designed to support readiness: the Multi-Mission Launcher and they UH 60V Blackhawk transition, as well as the Universal Mission Simulator.
Following his tour of technologies at AMRDEC, Milley met with AMC leaders to discuss strategic and operational readiness, sustainment and the command's role in the development and support of the future force.
At Anniston Army Depot, Milley toured the Combat Vehicle Overhaul and the Stryker Enhanced Lethality facilities, noting depots like Anniston provide unmatched capabilities inherent to the Army's ability to sustain.
The year also involved several changes to leadership and staff, with AMC welcoming the appointment of new leaders at the command's headquarters and its subordinate organizations, including four AMC civilians to the SES.
On May 28, Kevin Bostick was selected AMC Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics Integration, and John B. Smith was named the director of AMC's Logistics Integration Directorate. Also that day, Dr. Christopher Hill was promoted to the Army's civilian service senior level as the senior analyst for operations research and director of the AMC Commander's Analysis Group, which is part of AMC's Army Materiel Systems Analysis Activity.
On June 1, Maj. Gen. Daniel G. Mitchell was assigned as the AMC Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics and Operations (G-3/4), where he provides direction for AMC logistics plans in support of worldwide operations. Mitchell previously served as the deputy commanding general for support at Army Installation Management Command, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas.
On July 18, Col. Heidi Hoyle assumed command of Joint Munitions Command and Joint Munitions and Lethality Life Cycle Management Command, which provides life cycle management for the production, storage, distribution and demilitarization of conventional ammunition for all U.S. military services.
Lt. Gen. Larry Wyche, deputy commander of AMC and senior commander for Redstone Arsenal, retired July 21 during a ceremony hosted by Perna on the AMC parade field. Wyche's career spanned four decades, including four years as an enlisted Soldier. In some capacity, he reported to four of AMC's past commanders: Gen. Benjamin Griffin while commander of the Joint Munitions Command; Gen. Ann Dunwoody while AMC's deputy chief of staff, G3/4, Gen. Dennis Via and Perna while AMC deputy commander.
Laura Avery was appointed to the SES on July 23, becoming the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Resource Management and Executive Director of Business.
Maj. Gen. Duane Gamble assumed command of Army Sustainment Command, headquartered on Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, July 25, succeeding then-Maj. Gen. Edward Daly. ASC provides the Army and joint forces with worldwide equipment, maintenance and logistics solutions.
On Aug. 7, Daly pinned his third star and immediately assumed duties as the 46th deputy commanding general of AMC. The lieutenant general previously served as AMC's deputy chief of staff, where he oversaw the command's day-to-day operations.
The following month, on Aug. 29, top leaders and their staffs from U.S. Transportation Command and AMC met at AMC Headquarters to synchronize strategic postures, plans and operations for current and emerging strategies. Topics included Fort-to-Foxhole timeline integration and Cyber/IT data integration. As a combatant command, USTRANSCOM provides mobility solutions and related enabling capabilities in support of the other eight combatant commands, defense agencies, the military services and other government organizations.
"Army Materiel Command is focused on providing materiel readiness in support of the combatant commanders' requirements. We are the Army's materiel integrator, and we will work hand-in-hand with USTRANSCOM to synchronize capabilities and resources to ensure Army readiness," Perna said.
In a letter released in October, Milley and Acting Secretary of the Army Ryan D. McCarthy identified six modernization priorities: long-range precision fires; a next generation of combat vehicles; future vertical lift platforms; an Army network with hardware, software and infrastructure; air missile defense capabilities and Soldier lethality.
Lisha Adams, AMC's executive deputy to the commanding general, said the Army's modernization investment strategy has not changed throughout the years, but it must change its thinking as budget cuts and rising costs threaten future readiness, she said.
"It's more is more than just prioritizing how we spend our money. When our means no longer support our end, we must change our ways. It is imperative to reduce the costs of doing business to ensure sufficient funding for modernization," Adams said.
Early November's focus was on Heroes Week, which included a Korean War luncheon, a breakfast followed by the second largest Veterans Day parade in the nation, the welcoming of arriving wounded heroes to North Alabama by way of Huntsville International Airport, and more.
On Dec. 1, Maj. Gen. Elizabeth D. Austin, AMC assistant deputy commanding general, Army National Guard, retired after nearly four decades of service in her home state of North Carolina. The AMC Band played its final holiday concert Dec. 12 before it cases its colors summer 2018.
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