AFMC Command News

OC-ALC/EN director moving to AFMC

  • Published
  • By Brandice J. Armstrong
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  He'll be nearly 900 miles away, but Russ Howard said neither Tinker nor Oklahoma City will be far from his heart or mind.

The Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center Engineering and Technical Management director recently accepted a promotion at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Starting in February, Mr. Howard will become the Air Force Materiel Command director of Engineering and Technical Management.

Mr. Howard, a member of the senior executive service since 2006, came to Tinker in July of that year. During his time here, he managed the professional development and provided technical direction for the OC-ALC engineering and scientific work force. Mr. Howard also advised the OC-ALC commander on engineering and technical policy.

Prior to coming to Tinker, Mr. Howard completed 11 assignments including multiple positions in munitions test and evaluation and served as chief engineer and director of engineering for major defense acquisition programs. He was also a distinguished graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces at Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.

"Mr. Howard's extensive systems engineering background in development and testing proved extremely complementary to our system sustainment mission," said John Over, OC-ALC executive director. "Obviously his accomplishments earned him this well-deserved promotion, and he will continue to support the OC-ALC, as well as the command's, mission as the HQ AFMC director of Engineering."

Mr. Howard said the OC-ALC engineering and technical management directorate tackled many challenges but the one that means the most to him is the development and implementation of a systems and engineering strategic plan for the center.

"Now, we're even better than ever; we're tied in with the success of the center," Mr. Howard said. "Everything we do aligns EN with the center's strategic goals. It's a powerful tool that will bear fruit well into the future."

Mr. Howard said he will continue to use strategic planning in his new position.

Recently, Mr. Howard helped standardize the system engineering processes for the 327th Aircraft Sustainment Wing and said a similar project is underway for the 76th Maintenance Wing. He said he will continue to work these ideas from his position at AFMC.