News

ALC gets new commander

  • Published
  • By Wayne Crenshaw
  • 78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  He's a good bit taller and male, but aside from that the new commander of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center said he's not much unlike the person he replaced.

Following a change of command ceremony Friday at the Museum of Aviation, Maj. Gen. Robert H. McMahon said he has a leadership style similar to that of Maj. Gen. Polly A. Peyer, who commanded the Center for the past two years.

"The message we've both talked out about -- people first, mission always -- remains tremendously important," McMahon said. "Process improvement is important, and I will continue to build on that. And the focus on supporting warfighters in the way they want to be supported will continue."

A native of Toledo, Ohio, McMahon entered active duty in 1978 after graduation from the Air Force Academy. He has served as the Director of Maintenance and Director of Aircraft for the Ogden Air Logistics Center in Utah, and as the Director of Propulsion for the San Antonio, Texas, ALC.

In his most recent assignment, he served as director of logistics, deputy chief of staff for logistics, installations and mission support for the Air Force in Washington.

He also served a year in Southwest Asia as a member of the U.S. Central Command staff, where he saw firsthand how aircraft maintained at Robins support the war effort.

The ceremony doubled as a retirement ceremony for Peyer, who served 35 years in the Air Force. She entered the Air Force in 1975 as an enlisted member, and was commissioned in 1977 through Officer Training School.

"There's no better place to retire than at a place you love," Peyer said. "It's hard to make the decision to retire when you love what you do so much. Robins Air Force Base is just a wonderful place to end your career."

Gen. Donald Hoffman, commander of Air Force Materiel Command, presented Peyer with the Distinguished Service Medal.

"Polly, you have brought passion to the mission wherever you have served. But more important, you have brought compassion to the people who serve under you," Hoffman said.

McMahon said commanding a logistics center is the fulfillment of a career-long goal.

"I am humbled and honored to have the opportunity to command an air logistics center, and I am absolutely ecstatic to have that opportunity here at Robins Air Force Base," he said.