'We're pushing every day' Maj. Gen. Lalor highlights TACOM's work at AUSA

By REBECCA LAUTERBACH, TACOM Public AffairsOctober 17, 2024

TACOM’s Maj. Gen. Michael B. Lalor (center) speaks Oct. 16, 2024 at the “Bringing the Organic Industrial Base to the Tactical Edge” panel at the AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposit in Arlington, Va.
TACOM’s Maj. Gen. Michael B. Lalor (center) speaks Oct. 16, 2024 at the “Bringing the Organic Industrial Base to the Tactical Edge” panel at the AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition in Arlington, Va. (Photo Credit: Rebecca Lauterbach, TACOM Public Affairs ) VIEW ORIGINAL

ARLINGTON, Va. — Maj. Gen. Michael B. Lalor, commanding general, U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command, talked about the work his command is doing to bring the Army’s organic industrial base to the “tactical edge” as a part of the Army’s efforts to meet current and future logistical needs.

Speaking Oct. 16 on a Contemporary Military Forum panel at the Association of the United States Army’s 2024 Annual Meeting and Exposition, Lalor noted how TACOM is supporting the Army, saying, “We’re pushing every day, trying to bring capabilities to that tactical edge,” which plays a central role in managing the ground vehicle systems logistics for the Army around the globe.

He continued, “Everything we do, we do as a team,” and added, “I have two priorities every day: Army readiness and Ukraine in contact.”

Lalor’s participation in the high-profile CMF panel comes as the command is working daily to meet the Army’s goal of continuously transforming its operations and supply lines into a modern operation that can grow to meet current and emerging challenges, aiding U.S. allies and partners around the world.

TACOM’s role in helping the Army modernize its logistics, Lalor noted, is critical, stating, “We need to be able to produce at the point of production. We need to be able to extend and get our capabilities out there, and we are delivering those effects.”

“Prior to this new era of crisis and competition, a lot of the capabilities were moved back to CONUS. Now it’s time to rethink and redeploy them and make sure we have the capabilities going forward to support units in the field,” he said.

“If we can manufacture a part right now and make a system mission-capable, we are going to do it. From the Joint Manufacturing Technology Center in Rock Island, we have resourced it, and if we have the technical data for the part, we can manufacture it; if we don’t, we can reverse-engineer or work with our industry partners.”

Lalor maintained that the Army is laser-focused on transformation to ensure that America’s Soldiers have what they need, when they need it — especially through incorporating new technologies that underlie the Army’s efforts to meet its modernization goals.

“Through our program — if you’re not familiar with it, it’s worth taking a look at what we are doing — the July 30 Maintenance Information message told the Army and Joint Forces how to start taking advantage of us — and right now, it’s free. If you need us and we can make it, we can produce it at our cost and with our labor, and you can get your system back to mission-capable,” he stated. “This demonstrates how we’re pushing the needle forward, and our entire TACOM team is a big part of how we’re meeting the Army’s mission.”

Lalor closed by saying, “Never is advanced manufacturing designed to be a replacement for what we do with industry, but it is going to supplement it — and we’re doing it right now.”