AFLCMC Newcomers Expo showcases vital systems, services, support

In an effort to give new employees a wider perspective and familiarize them with the organization, the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center held its annual Newcomers Expo Sept. 22 at the Wright-Patterson Club.

Drawing a crowd of more than 150 attendees, the expo featured information on resources available to employees, as well as displays and presentations from experts representing directorates across the center’s operating locations.

The event officially kicked off with comments from Lt. Gen. Robert McMurry, AFLCMC commander, who highlighted his expectations, and provided an overview of what attendees would see throughout the expo.

“My goal today is for you to get a sense of the breadth of AFLCMC and understand the importance of what we do,” McMurry said. “What we do here makes a difference and it matters. Our job directly impacts the Air Force’s mission. You don’t fly without the systems we provide; you don’t fight without the weapons we procure; and you don’t win without the quality we deliver.”

Throughout the expo, center directorates highlighted systems and equipment they acquire and support which are making a difference every day.

The Agile Combat Support Directorate’s display consisted of equipment the organization acquires for the Air Force, including pilot helmets, water survival devices and night vision goggles that attendees were able to try on.

Through these visual and interactive displays, attendees were able to get a glimpse of the size and impact of AFLCMC.

“People can get ‘pigeon holed’ when they get hired into an organization that is this large, where you just sit in one office and you think that that office or that building is the extent of your organization,” said Brett Cousino, a logistics manager for the Agile Combat Support Directorate and presenter at the expo. “But everybody is part of the larger Life Cycle Management Center, and they really do need to have an understanding of how broad the organization is, what it does, not just for the Air Force but for the capability it brings to the Department of Defense.”

The center’s Armament Directorate, headquartered at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, sent a representative to the expo to talk with new employees and answer questions about the directorate.

“The Armament Directorate consists of a lot of different programs all kind of surrounded by missiles, bombs, fuses, ammunition and sustainment of the next generation of weapons,” said 2nd Lt. Daniel Quakenbush, a program manager with the air-to-air missile section, who drove 12 hours from Eglin AFB.

He went on to add that the expo is important because it offers an opportunity to network.

During the expo, attendees had the opportunity to win a number of prizes, which were awarded at the end of the event. They were also asked to vote on the organization with the best display. The Agile Combat Support Directorate won the distinction and was recognized with the Commander’s trophy. The Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance and Special Operations Directorate as well as the Fighters and Bombers Directorate took second and third place, respectively.

Feedback from participants about the expo was positive.

“I think this event is useful for folks that are new and trying to learn about the broad scope of AFLCMC and trying to find out what their niche is or could be,” said Jason Lentz, an acquisition intelligence engineer and new employee with the Intelligence Directorate. “When I travel, I represent AFLCMC, and I should be at least knowledgeable on all the different areas [of AFLCMC] and not just what the Intel Directorate is doing.”

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