Brig. Gen. Close named new Ogden Air Logistics Center leader Published May 31, 2007 By Marilu Trainor 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- Brig. Gen. Kathleen D. Close has been selected to become the next commander of the Ogden Air Logistics Center. General Close is currently the Director of Maintenance within the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Installations and Mission Support, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. She will succeed Maj. Gen. Kevin J. Sullivan, who was nominated May 8 for the rank of Lieutenant General and to become the Deputy Chief of Staff, Installations, Logistics, and Mission Support, at Headquarters USAF, Pentagon. No date has been determined when General Sullivan will pass the Ogden ALC flag to General Close during a change of command ceremony. The ALC is located on Hill AFB, the largest single site employer in Utah with more than 22,000 people and local economic impact amounting to more than $3-billion annually. The mission of the Center includes depot maintenance, purchasing and supply chain management, weapons system management and readiness. General Close was commissioned in December 1978 through the ROTC program following graduation from Colorado State University. She has directed three aircraft maintenance units, served as squadron maintenance supervisor in two units, and held a variety of staff positions at the major command, Air Staff and Secretariat levels. The general has commanded a combat logistics support squadron, a logistics group and an air base wing. She holds a master aircraft maintenance badge. One of her early career assignments was here at Hill AFB. From December, 1982 to August 1985, she served as a maintenance supervisor in the 388th Fighter Wing's Component Repair Squadron and later, as the officer in charge, 16th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, 388th Aircraft Generation Squadron. Her previous responsibilities have covered aircraft and munitions maintenance operations, management and policies, as well as depot-level maintenance production and major weapon system acquisition activities. In her current position, she is responsible for training, organizing and equipping a work force of more than 150,000 technicians and managers maintaining the $260 billion global engagement aerospace weapons system inventory. The Headquarters USAF Maintenance Directorate develops aircraft maintenance and munitions policy to ensure the readiness of the single largest element of manpower supporting Air Force combat forces worldwide and advocates an annual budget of more than $20 billion. She earned a Master of Science degree in aeronautical science in 1987 from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a Master of Science degree in resource strategy in 1994 from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, at Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C. "What a tremendous opportunity to command the Ogden Air Logistics Center. I am honored that General Carlson selected me to replace one of our Air Force's visionary leaders, Major General Kevin Sullivan," said General Close. "Ogden ALC is known for its forward-thinking business practices and embracement of Lean principles and I am eager to build upon the strong foundation General Sullivan and his team have put in place." General Sullivan will require U.S. Senate confirmation for his promotion. Once confirmed, he will succeed Lt. Gen. Donald J. Wetekam who is retiring When he leaves Hill AFB, General Sullivan will hold the historical distinction as the center's longest serving Air Force commander from July 9, 2003 to present. General Sullivan was also previously stationed at Hill from June 1992 - December 1995, first as the chief, Armament Division then as the director, Aircraft Directorate. According to Hill AFB History Office, the Center's first commander, Colonel and then Brig. Gen. Morris Berman, served from Nov. 7, 1940 to June 26, 1944, a period of approximately three years and seven months. Previous to General Sullivan's tenure at Hill AFB, General Berman was the center's longest serving commander. General Sullivan said, "While I will certainly miss the dedicated professionals at Hill Air Force Base and the incredible community support, I can't think of a better new commander than Kathie Close. She will excel and take Team Hill to new heights."