Air Force Reserve Command Force Generation Center appoints new commander

WARNER ROBINS – The Air Force Reserve Command Force Generation Center welcomed its new commander, Brigadier General Christopher Lay, during a Change of Command ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 2. 

The ceremony was held in conjunction with the retirement ceremonies of the previous Commander, Brigadier General Kelvin McElroy and his wife, Col. Maria McElroy. The retirement ceremony marked the end of McElroy’s 31 years of service.

McElroy is a middle Georgia native and graduated from Fort Valley State University, where he earned a Business degree in 1994.

Lay comes to the Force Generation Center from his assignment as Mobilization Assistant to the Director of Concepts and Strategy, Deputy Chief of Staff for Air Force Futures. Its headquarters are the United States Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. In that role, Lay was responsible for developing future Air Force strategy by conducting net assessments, strategic and comparative analysis to inform concept, capability and force design. 

The Force Generation Center is a single organization responsible for generating Air Force Reserve forces by leveraging reserve strategic capability to meet operational needs in support of global force management. The center also performs all aspects of force generation, including oversight, visibility and accountability of approximately 70,000 Air Force Reserve forces. It plays a critical role in ensuring Reserve forces are trained, equipped and ready to integrate seamlessly with active duty and Air National Guard units worldwide. 

The role of the commander is essential as the ceiling control extends from all units across all airmen. It supports multiple organizations across the Air Force and plays a vital role in ensuring airmen and their families receive benefits when they mobilize to support the country. 

While McElroy served as commander of the center, they made significant reserve contributions. They have monitored numerous hurricane and wildfire seasons; McElroy put together 12 crisis action teams and mobilized 2,800 reservists for Ukraine in 2023. 

McElroy spoke highly of the Force Generation Center and its airmen, saying it has both grown and excelled. However, he noted excellence isn’t a destination and the mission continues. 

He gave Lay parting comments, saying he had something very special.

“The guys in the [Force Generation Command]…they excel here. What you are about to embark upon are true [and] dedicated as they come. They come to work everyday [and] they’re dedicated,” he said. 

McElroy ended his comments by giving thanks to his family and airmen for allowing him to lead the organization.

Lay gave thanks to McElroy for his and his wife’s service. He said the Force Generation Center is a focal point for access to the strategic reserve. 

“We’ll guarantee our strategic reserve community assessment; more importantly, we’ll make sure that our citizen airmen are provided for. It is a distinct honor and I’m humbled to be here,” he said. 

Lay hopes to bring stability to airmen; many are reservists and embedded into communities. He described the reserve as a unique linkage to communities, and he wants to represent them. The Force Generation Center, he explained, is a focal point for accessing their strategic reserve, mobilizing, and deployment. 

He said of all the opportunities he has served in the United States, Warner Robins is one of the paramounts in terms of support it gives to the installation.

Lay shared his goals for the center, which include guaranteed access to their strategic reserve, a primary mission set. 

Lay is looking forward to working for and with his airmen.

“More importantly, to care for each of those taskings because behind each tasking, we ask our airmen to go out the door for deployments. To make sure that they have what they need in order to do what the nation asks in terms of the support, orders and responsibilities,” he said.