“We have to be the organization that other organizations benchmark,” McMurry said, adding that he wanted other organizations to say that AFLCMC does acquisition better than anyone else.
One of the questions the general posed to the audience was ‘how do we become a better center?’
He went on to highlight five areas or lines of efforts as well as activities aligned with each area that will improve AFLCMC’s efficiency and help the center meet his vision.
The five focus areas are: responsive human capital, recognized expertise, innovative execution, adaptive base & infrastructure and purposeful engagement.
Speaking about responsive human capital, the general said the center has to be able to hire people rapidly and fill positions quickly, develop people and retain them.
Some of the activities the center will engage in include taking steps to improve the hiring timeline and enhancing development opportunities for employees.
Under recognized expertise, the goal of the center is to be known for strong technical competency, extraordinary team and multi-domain expertise. Some of the activities AFLCMC is leading to meet that goal include developing and rewarding a collaborative culture and promoting cross domain thinking and solutions.
With innovative execution, AFLCMC’s goal is to be known for delivering superb systems via innovative, efficient and effective approaches. Some of the steps the center is taking include improving the speed of delivery, increasing partnerships with the labs and growing an innovative culture.
When McMurry spoke about adaptive bases & infrastructure, he talked about the need to modernize.
“When we go to our bases, what we recognize is a couple of things,” said McMurry. “Our communications infrastructure is antiquated, and our facilities are aging and under maintained, and we are not upgrading our infrastructure at the rate we probably should. There are reasons for that.”
The general added that the center would take a number of steps to improve the network and infrastructure.
Discussing purposeful engagement, McMurry spoke about the importance of engaging various audiences and talking about the great things that AFLCMC does in support of the Air Force and nation.
“We have to build advocates from every branch and within our own service,” McMurry said. “And we have to tell the good stories and celebrate our successes.”
He added that for every bad story there are thousands of good stories the center can tell.
McMurry concluded by thanking attendees for their service.
“From cyber to Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization, to the next Tanker to clearing the roads on base, what you do matters,” McMurry said. “The reason I’m still here is because every day I get to work with people like you.”
The general recognized the following Airmen for excellence during the various calls and presented each with a coin:
• Maj. MacKenzie Birchenough, AFLCMC, Program Development & Integration Directorate;
• Joshua Grubb, AFLCMC, Contracting Directorate;
• Amir Mott, 88th Air Base Wing, Civil Engineering Directorate;
• Ron Lee, 88th ABW, Civil Engineering Directorate
DOD Distinguished Civilian Service Award
• Mitchel Miller, AFLCMC, Engineering Directorate
The National Public Service Award
• Jodi Pierri, AFLCMC, Air Force Security Assistance Cooperation Directorate
Brig. Gen. Wilma Vaught Visionary Leadership Award
• Barbara Cerny, 88th ABW, Communications Group
Verne Orr Award
• 88th ABW Security Forces Squadron
FY17 Gen. Jumper Award for Excellence in Warfighting Integration and Info Dominance Professional of the Year
• Senior Airman Colton Kulikowski, 88th ABW, Communications Squadron;
• Senior Airman Brennan McDougal, 88th ABW, Communications Squadron;
• Philomena White, 88th ABW, Communications Group;
• Airman 1st Class Brandon Ingram, 88th ABW, Communications Group;
• Staff Sgt. Jordan Warnke, 88th ABW, Communications Squadron;
• Staff Sgt. Kent Schifferly 88th ABW, Communications Squadron;
• Base Blade & SAN Team, 88th ABW, Communications Squadron;
• 88th Communications Group
2018 AFA Outstanding Air Force Civilian Employee of the Year
• James Schairbaum, AFLCMC, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Special Operations Forces Directorate
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