WASATCH WARRIOR CHAPTER (HILL AFB, UTAH)
Hill AFB’s LOA Chapter is the “Wasatch Warriors.” Wasatch refers to the mountain range that is the magnificent backdrop for our base. Of course, we are all considered ‘warriors”, so we thought it an appropriate name for the chapter. We are an uncommon chapter…we are home to the 388 FW, an active duty fighter wing…the 419 FW, a reserve wing…the 75th Air Base Wing…the Ogden Air Logistics Center…the Utah Test and Training Range…and two Combat Logistics Support Squadrons (CLSS), the 649 CLSS and the 419 CLSS . As a result of these different organizations, our first true asset is our grouping of individuals. We have many logistics officers in non-traditional roles…working depot maintenance, program management, and supply chain management at the macro level. We also have our mid-level and senior logistics civilians at the Air Logistics Center that bring a unique perspective to our organization, and we have strong chapter support from our contractors. The logistics big picture is their forte. In addition, we also have special groups of logistics officers involved in elite programs like the Acquisitions and Logistics Experience Exchange Tour and the Logistics Career Broadening Program. These members also bring diversity to the group. And, of course, we have our logistics personnel in the fighter wing and the air base wing that bring the warfighter perspective. It’s an outstanding mix of individuals. Secondly, we have the advantage of our many varied missions on the base. Wing personnel can learn about depot and system program issues relating to their warfighter field. Depot personnel can learn about the warfighter mission they support. It’s an amazing synergy that we try to exploit in the Wasatch Warriors Logistics Officer Association.Our LOA is extremely active in our effort to bring our logistics disciplines together to promote professional development, quality maintenance, and crossflow. In 1998, we were proud to host the LOA National Conference in downtown Ogden, Utah. We currently conduct monthly meetings with guest speakers focusing on current officer issues like the assignment system, career broadening, command and staff positions, historic battles and battlefields, and recently an insightful presentation on the Shuttle Columbia investigation. In addition, we have professional development functions where we invite distinguished speakers to give us their insight. So far this year, we have hosted Maj Gen Kevin Sullivan, our OO-ALC commander, Mr. Grover Dunn, Director of Innovations and Transformation, Deputy Chief of Staff for Installations and Logistics, and logistics legend, Lt Gen (Ret) Leo Marquez. We are also actively taking field trips to various organizations on base, like the ICBM silo and depot maintenance areas, as well as tours off base, to the nearby shuttle booster manufacturer, Thiokol, and out to our range. The Wasatch Warriors have had an annual dining in for three years running and added an annual golf tournament and annual family picnic to chapter events for this year. At Hill AFB we have many advantages to explore and expand our logistics knowledge, camaraderie, and professional development. We are lucky to have a varied group of individuals, a diverse workload, and supportive senior leaders to help us on our quest to be the best logisticians in the Air Force.