ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE – A native Georgian took the reins of Defense Logistics Agency Warner Robins Tuesday pledging to continue the excellent work of her predecessor.

Air Force Col. Tammy Farrow, with degrees from Georgia Southern University and Georgia College and State University, said her focus would remain on support for the warfighter and for air power.

Farrow replaced Col. Madeline Lopez who has led the agency since its formation in October of 2007. Lopez is moving to a position within the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center at Robins.

Warner Robins was the first of six DLA locations to take on supply, storage and distribution responsibilities in compliance with a 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission decision. Some 250 Air Force workers at Robins transferred in place to DLA in the process, continuing their mission of providing supply services to the massive repair depot on base.

Navy Rear Adm. Vincent Griffith, commander of Defense Supply Center Richmond, officiated at the brief ceremony attended by a number of base officials and workers in the local DLA organization.

Griffith praised Lopez, saying the local unit served as a DLA template for the BRAC transitions.

“Believe me, it was no easy task,” Griffith told the ceremony attendees. “No one wants to be first.”

The transition required a host of changes, the admiral noted, including a shift to providing retail support based on production at the local center. But the Berry College graduate called the results “nothing short of remarkable.”

Griffith cited the cutting of wait times for spare parts from 6.2 days to 5.5 days and the disposal of some $70 million in excess supply inventory.

“The reduction in wait times was due to a focus on back orders, stock levels and alternative sources,” he said. “The disposals freed up a volume of storage space on the base. The result has been exceptional supply chain support.”

Griffith said the local unit will be in good hands with Col. Farrow. “She has an outstanding resume and a demonstrated ability to lead teams and get results,” he said. “She is a proven leader and she will set a firm course for the future.”

Lopez praised her workforce, labeling what they had done “amazing.”

“I’m as proud as any commander could be to have served with you,” she emphasized. “This has been an enormous transition. It’s not been easy and there have been some scars along the way. But we have come together as one team in support of the warfighter and the nation.”

Lopez also praised her successor. “They couldn’t have picked a better leader,” she said. “We share some of the same career paths and the same passion for this center and the Air Force. I’m proud to turn over the reigns.”