New ALC commander McMahon has strong logistics background
The two-star general slated to assume command of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center on Friday has been responsible for using the aircraft the center keeps flying.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Robert McMahon is scheduled to take the helm of the 18,000-member logistics center from retiring Maj. Gen. Polly Peyer at 10 a.m. Friday at the Museum of Aviation.
As the Pentagon-based director of Central Command’s Deployment and Distribution center, McMahon’s responsibilities during the past two years have been basically to make sure the U.S. Air Force can move equipment and people across the globe, especially to the war zones that support Afghanistan and Iraq.
Or, as he put it during a Pentagon media roundtable in March, his job was to oversee the 180,000 people who provide the Defense Department “with a scheduled bus line in the air.”
The job also meant managing major air bases around the world like international airports, ensuring cargo and passengers got to destinations on time and keeping C-17 and C-130 aircraft properly loaded with a maximum amount of cargo, McMahon said, according to a Defense Department transcript.
The logistics center manages maintenance for the C-5 Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster III and C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft, along with the F-15 Eagle fighter. Among other work, Robins Air Force Base workers maintain electronic warfare equipment and special pods on a variety of aircraft including the U-2 Dragon Lady spyplane.
Most of McMahon’s Air Force career has been spent dealing with logistics, supply and maintenance work.
“Maj. Gen. McMahon has a very strong, broad background, and he knows the air logistics sustainment business very well,” said retired Maj. Gen. Rick Goddard, who retired in March 2000 as commander of the center. “In today’s situation of tight money, the age of Air Force aircraft averaging about 26 years, and dealing with aircraft coming back from combat situation in less than ideal conditions, all of this can be a challenge. (McMahon) has the experience to manage these tasks.”
A consultant with Robins booster group 21st Century Partnership, Goddard, along with Middle Georgia community leaders, met with McMahon in Washington, D.C., in September to discuss base and community issues.
“He understands the needs of this area. I think he will benefit the mission of Robins, and we will only see it grow during his time here,” Goddard said.
Gen. Donald Hoffman, commander of Air Force Materiel Command, will officiate Friday’s ceremony. Peyer has been in charge of the center since August 2008.
A 32-year Air Force veteran, McMahon comes to Robins after serving at the Pentagon as the director of logistics for the deputy chief of staff for logistics of installations and mission support for the Air Force. After almost 36 years in the service, Peyer plans to officially retire in January.
To contact writer Shelby G. Spires, call 744-4494.
This story was originally published November 19, 2010 at 12:00 AM with the headline "New ALC commander McMahon has strong logistics background."