News

Contracting leader has roots at Robins

  • Published
  • By Angela Woolen
  • Robins Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Maj. Gen. Casey Blake is no stranger to Robins Air Force Base.

Blake, the deputy assistant secretary for contracting at the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition in Washington, D.C., was stationed here as an acquisition contracting officer for the F-15 program  in 1991.

"This is where I grew up," Blake said during the State of Contracting speech Wednesday at the base theater.

"This promotion (to major general) is a tribute to a lot of folks who had a hand in my professional development." 

Anthony Baumann, Robins director of contracting, introduced Blake, whom he met when Blake was just a young captain.

"This guy's career has taken him so many places," he said. "He understands what our airmen have to do."

The focus of the all call was how to retain the best and brightest in contracting as well as keep an affordable and agile team to perform contracting's mission.

Blake stressed to the audience that the actions and dedication of contracting helps warfighters both here and around the world in places such as Afghanistan and Iraq. 

He also said training contractors to negotiate can take years of practice.

"We're all working toward a common objective," Blake said. "I'm going to bring up the best."