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Sunday, Jul. 25, 2010

Military Notebook: Incoming WRALC commander earns Wetekam's praise

A former commander of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center praised the incoming WRALC commander, Maj. Gen. Robert McMahon, in a phone interview Friday.

“He’s a hands-on guy,” said retired Lt. Gen. Donald J. Wetekam, who oversaw McMahon during their time at the Air Force’s logistics and installations office. “Is he autocratic? No, he’s not.”

Wetekam said that McMahon. who has worked in Air Force logistics for much of his career, is a “perfect fit for Robins.”

“I don’t see this as a retirement assignment,” Wetekam said. “I think he has potential to do other things beyond Warner Robins.”

The Air Force announced in a July 16 release that current center commander Maj. Gen. Polly Peyer planned to retire and that McMahon would be her replacement. Peyer’s retirement date was not announced.

Wetekam retired in 2007. If he were still in uniform, he likely would not have spoken about his former subordinate. Repeated requests for an interview with McMahon and any of his associates still on active duty were declined last week.

For additional information on McMahon, an Air Force spokesman in Washington told The Telegraph to “refer to his bio.”

A spokesman for Robins denied requests to speak with McMahon and his associates because “it is Maj. Gen. Peyer’s time as she prepares for retirement.”

Air Force leaders quizzed about efficiencies

Lt. Gen. Christopher Miller, the Air Force’s deputy chief of staff for strategic plans and programs, told the Air Force Association that the Pentagon will look toward more joint programs while exploring “opportunities to eliminate overlap,” according to Air Force Magazine.

Miller added that the Air Force is looking to save $23.2 billion in the next five years.

Also Thursday, Under Secretary of the Air Force Erin Conaton testified in front of the House Armed Services Committee on how to operate with lower overhead expenses.

“Business transformation can’t be separate from (Air Force operations),” she said, according to an Air Force news release.

House passes ‘telework’ bill

The House of Representatives passed a bill earlier this month that would support federal government employees who want to work from home. The Senate must now pass a similar measure before it heads to the president.

The bill would mandate that federal agencies appoint an officer to coordinate “telework” operations, and provide employees and supervisors training for teleworking, among other provisions.

A sponsor of the bill, Rep. John Sarbanes, D-Md., issued a news release that suggested the bill was a response to the blizzards that shut down operations in Washington, D.C., this winter.

Macon native honored by French Embassy

James Mueller, a Macon native living in Virginia, was presented with the Legion of Honor by the French Embassy in Washington last month. The medal is in recognition of Mueller’s service in World War II.

Mueller was a captain with an engineering battalion on the Western Front. He earned two Silver Stars for his combat actions.

Mueller grew up in Macon and entered into the Army from Macon before World War II.

To contact military writer Thomas L. Day, call 744-4489.