News

AF acquisition leader visits Robins

  • Published
  • By Kent Cummins
  • Robins Public Affairs

The Air Force’s acquisition leader visited Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, Oct. 23 through 25, 2018.

Dr. Will Roper, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and logistics, met with installation leaders, toured the base, participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new technology and training center, and addressed employees at an All Call.

Roper visited numerous Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex facilities and received briefings on the F-15, C-130, and C-5 aircraft, sustainment software and much more.

One of the highlights of his visit was cutting the ribbon signifying the opening of the Air Force Advanced Technology and Training Center in Warner Robins, Oct. 24. The state-of-the-art facility will be a hub for innovation and dynamic collaboration.

“It’s just been a pleasure to be here and celebrate the hard work that’s been done, to see a focus on innovation within the sustainment and maintenance world,” Roper said.

The center will serve as an easily accessible spot where Middle Georgia scientists, engineers, technicians and educators can partner with Team Robins experts to help revolutionize future manufacturing technologies.

“Bringing technologies that allow us to do things in house, such as agile manufacturing and 3-D printing, it’s something that’s happening in the commercial world,” Roper said. “We need to be the best at it in the Air Force.

“It’s time to bring those technologies into the Air Force,” he added, “If you’re looking for a good place to make an investment in the Air Force, this is the place to do it.”

The next day, Roper wrapped up his visit by holding an All Call for WR-ALC employees at the Museum of Aviation Century of Flight hangar.

“Couldn’t have a better venue than the Museum of Aviation with its wonderful history of the Air Force,” Roper said. “A great place to talk about technology of the future born out of this history.”

Roper briefed faster, smarter acquisition and the future of aircraft maintenance and sustainment and encouraged Robins employees to take innovative risks to speed up how the Air Force does business.

He told employees they are part of making a new kind of Air Force, especially in the digital technology arena.

“We need to push the envelope and must have an edge in competition,” he said referring to our adversaries. “The Air Force can win the battle, but it must also look like it can win with our high-tech advances.”

The two areas Roper emphasized within the world of Air Force acquisition were speed and urgency.

“We must be faster than our competition,” he said. “Stakes are high, and we have to work to stay dominant using a culture shift with urgency baked in.”

He concluded his talk by challenging the audience to ask themselves a question at the end of each work day, “Did I do something today that helps us compete and win?”