Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Logistics visits ARPC facility

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Rob Hazelett
  • Air Reserve Personnel Center Public Affairs
BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  The Honorable Terry A. Yonkers, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Logistics, visited the Air Reserve Personnel Center May 31, 2012.

Upon arriving at ARPC, Yonkers was welcomed by Col. Pat Blassie, ARPC commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Dave Paullet, ARPC command chief. Following an ARPC mission brief, he toured the center receiving a brief overview of each of the four directorates.

"I am very impressed with the state of the art facility serving a strategic global force worldwide," he said.

As a result of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission mandate, ARPC was required to move from the former Lowry Air Force Base to Buckley Air Force Base in July 2011. ARPC successfully met their timeline to turn the building and its property over to the Air Force Real Property Agency. A huge accomplishment considering the amount of personnel, computer systems, office equipment and files that had to be transferred in a timely manner.

During the mission brief, Yonkers was told ARPC was able to move more than 400 people during one weekend with zero loss of service to the customers.

"I'm also very impressed at how quickly the Center was able to make the move to the new location on Buckley" he said.

ARPC's swift turnover of the old property also brought high praise from Cyndy Hanson, AFRPA base transition coordinator for Buckley Annex. "The collaboration and support received from the Air Reserve Personnel Center folks at Buckley AFB was very helpful in AFPRA's ability to maintain the property from our San Antonio location," Hanson said.

After his visit to ARPC, Yonkers took a windshield tour of the 460th Space Wing on Buckley AFB.

"It was a privilege to host Mr. Yonkers and highlight the work we are doing to continue to serve generations of Airmen." Blassie said. "The Air Force has entrusted us with a great responsibility and we enjoy sharing this important mission with our distinguished guests."

Yonkers visited the Denver-Metro area to attend the transfer ceremony of the Buckley Annex on the former Lowry AFB from the Air Force Real Property Agency to the Lowry Redevelopment Authority. The Lowry Redevelopment Authority is planning a $165 million residential development on the property and the project is expected to start this fall.

He is responsible for providing oversight for all matters pertaining to the formulation, review, and execution of plans, policies, programs, and budgets for installations, energy, environment, safety and occupational health as well as weapon systems logistics support.

He has more than 35 years of experience developing and managing environmental, safety and occupational health programs. This includes 22 years in government and more than 16 years in private industry.