Hammerstedt takes command of WR-ALC

A change of command took place at Robins Air Force Base on Tuesday, with Brigadier General Jennifer Hammerstedt becoming the new Commander of Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex (ALC). She was named successor to Brigadier General John Kubinec, who is officially retiring on July 31 after serving 28 years in the United States Air Force and his last four years as the ALC Commander.

Hammerstedt is a career maintenance officer who previously served at the Pentagon. Although she described her new role as “significantly different” from what she was accustomed to doing in D.C., Hammerstedt said that she excited about the new assignment.

“At the Pentagon, I was supporting the deputy secretary of defense, working on the staff,” she shared. “Here, I get to come back to my roots to aircraft maintenance and serve at the Air Logistics Complex, just doing one of the greatest missions we have in our Air Force—producing aircraft and components and all of the things that our Air Force needs to get the mission done.”

Hammerstedt went on to say that while her new placement was significantly different than her previous role, the functions of the ALC Commander were more comfortable to her. “It’s like coming home,” she described. “Air craft maintenance is where my roots are.”

What Hammerstedt said she wants the community to know about her mission at Robins is straightforward. “Sustaining the Air Force is our bread and butter. It’s the toughest thing we do. It’s what keeps our aircraft flying,” she pointed out. “Here at Robins Air Force Base, specifically in the Air Logistics Complex, this is one of the three major depots for the Air Force—Air Force sustainment happens through the mission that we do here at Robins. This is a huge deal. It’s a huge responsibility, but I’m excited because I know the work force here is tremendous, and we’re up for the challenge.”

This is not her first time serving at Robins Air Force Base. Hammerstedt mentioned that she’d served there four years ago in the position of Air Craft Maintenance Group Commander. She compared coming back to middle Georgia to coming back home, and the new ALC Commander also made it known that she was coming with a purpose and a plan.

“My first course of action is to assess where we are, see how we’re doing, and have a general understanding of that based on some studying I’ve been doing before arriving.” She said she wanted to get a clear view of where they currently are and what things they needed to work on. “I want to know what our Air Force needs from us and figure out what are the things we need to be looking at; not just in the next few weeks, but in the next six months and the next year. Things happen in large chunks, so we need to be strategic.”

Since her last time at Robins, Hammerstedt said that the ALC has picked up quite a few new missions, and she’s eager to learn the workload that Brig. Gen. Kubinec worked hard to establish during his tenure. Hammerstedt admitted that she’s been having conversations with Kubinec in preparation of the change of command, and he has kept her well informed.

“General Kubinec is just a great American,” she raved. “We’ve known each other for a long time. He’s been very honest with me about the workload we’ve taken on and all the great things that are going on here. But he’s also told me about the areas that we need to work on and the things we need to improve and get better. All of that is part of taking a unit and passing it on to someone else and saying, ‘Take the ball and keep running with it,’” Hammerstedt stated. “We’re excited. The complex is in a tremendous space right now. There has been significant growth since my last time here. We’re just going to keep working on performance and delivering what we need to support our Air Force.”

In regard to where progression might be needed, Hammerstedt said, “One thing I’ll say about our business is that we talk about continuous process improvement. We’re never happy with the status quo. In the aircraft business, we want to perform, we want to hit our targets and we want to continue to get better. It’s really a broad brush. I don’t want to call out a specific area that may need improvement, but across the board, even when we get to where good is, we want to get better. That’s what the mission demands. That’s what our Air Force demands. And that’s what’s expected of this complex.”

Joining Brig. Gen. Kubinec as a speaker during the official ceremony, was Air Force Sustainment Center Commander Lieutenant General Donald “Gene” Kirkland, who, during his time at the podium, bid a heartfelt farewell to Warner Robins’ departing ALC Commander, Brig. Gen. John Kubinec—describing him as one who had done a remarkable job—and then welcomed incoming ALC Commander, Brig. Gen. Jennifer Hammerstedt, referring to her record as “stellar.”

“It’s a great day in middle Georgia, and it’s a great day for our Air Force,” Kubinec began as he took the stand, “because you all get to have Jen Hammerstedt as your next Commander of ALC.” He went on to say, “When you think about change of command, it’s kind of that age-old dilemma. Who is this really about? Is this about the outgoing commander? It’s not about me at all,” he answered. “So it must be about Jen—your incoming commander. But as good as Jen is, and I’m president of her fan club… Jen hasn’t done anything yet.

“So it’s not about the incoming commander, and it’s not about the outgoing commander. This ceremony is about that flag right there. It’s about our unit. It’s about the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex, and it’s about the men and the women who serve our nation every day. It’s about our mechanics who come to work every day—0 dark 30 in the morning… steel cut boots, blue jeans, ball caps and Georgia Bulldogs T-shirts… and they produce air power for our nation. That’s what this change of command is about. It’s about what our people do for our country and our nation each and every day.”

Further in his remarks, Kubinec recognized not only local base and government leaders, but also community leaders who play a part in the success of Robins. Among them were Eddie Wiggins and Wayne Lowe, both of whom Kubinec said, “have supported this base for decades and decades, and continue to do so in amazing ways.” He also mentioned that the new career academy focused on software that was being set up in the base’s new synergy building that would be named in Lowe’s honor.

“We’ve done this change of command thing before,” Kubinec said of himself and Hammerstedt, “but in a little bit [different] role because I was the presiding official when Jen took command and worked for me when we were deployed for a year supporting combat operations. Jen’s a great friend,” he continued. “Sometimes at these changes of command, we’ll talk about the incoming commander and say nice words. The outgoing commander would say these great words about how they’re the right person for the job, and we don’t even know them. But I can tell you with confidence and assurance, she’s the right commander,” Kubinec said, his voice breaking with emotions. “And she’s going to lead this unit with greatness. So Jen, you’re about to lead the greatest work force in the United States Air Force, and ALC Team, you’re about to get the greatest commander you’ve ever had.”

Following Brig. Gen. Kubinec’s speech, the ceremonial Air Logistics Complex Change of Command took place. Upon completion of the brief ceremony, Hammerstedt shared words.

“What an amazing morning,” she said, expressing once again her excitement to be taking on the role of ALC Commander. To Lt. Gen. Kirkland, Hammerstedt said, “Thank you for this amazing opportunity. I’m honored and humbled that you entrusted this to me. I will do my absolute very best to meet your expectations.” In addition, Hammerstedt recognized her predecessor, thanking Kubinec for the four years that he served in the position of ALC Commander.

“Thank you for your love and commitment to the mission and people here. We talk about national treasures, but General Kubinec is an Air Force treasure, and this complex will benefit for years to come because of his service. On a personal note,” Hammerstedt stated, “General Kubinec has been a mentor and friend to me for so many years. We probably talk every week, and it’s usually me asking him for advice. I’m not saying goodbye to you,” she later told Kubinec. “I’m just saying see you later. Thank you, sir, for your service.”

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