This monograph won the 1984 award for the Most Outstanding Monograph in the Air Force Logistics Command. It was nominated by AFLC Commander, General Earl T. O'Laughlin for the 1984 USAF monograph award and was the runner-up.
Sometimes, to the average person, logistics do not appear very vital because of maintenance of a cargo plane isn't as glamorous as a jet performing loops. Yet, logistics can be compared to the foundation of a building; good foundations assure as sturdy building. One of the jobs the WR-ALC performs is parts supply and aircraft maintenance. This isn't spectacular either, especially to someone without the proper parts or maintenance. Race drivers make heroes of their pit crews and pay great sums of money to good crews. History is full of examples of how vital logistics support can be. In the Civil War, the Southern soldiers were just as good as those in the North, however their leaders' inability to produce and supply the necessary implements to fight cost them the war. In 1940, Germany defeated a French force superior in manpower, weapons and material because of Germany's superior logistics system and France's poor system.
In the case of the WR-ALC, its personnel have always performed vital functions in the important work of Air Force Logistics. During the Vietnam War, Robins AFB was an essential cog in the supply of necessary war implements to our forces in Southeast Asia ("The Pipeline"). Again, during the Middle-East War of 1973, Robins AFB played an important support role for the MAC air supply effort to Israel, (Operation Nickel Grass). In both cases, the weapon system which had the major function in these airlifts was the C-141 Starlifter. Since it is part of the WR-ALC's mission to maintain logistics management for the C-141, it is the job of the WR-ALC Historians to write about the C-141.
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