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General McCoy retiring after 42 years of service

  • Published
  • By Burt Foutz
  • Air Force Global Logistics Support Center Public Affairs
Scott Air Force Base, Ill. --  Maj. Gen. Gary T. McCoy will relinquish command of the Air Force Global Logistics Support Center and retire from the Air Force Friday during a ceremony at the Scott Club.

McCoy's career has spanned 42 years. He entered the Air Force in August 1969 and received his commission in July 1976. He pinned on his second star in September 2006, and took command of the AFGLSC in November 2008.

As commander of a geographically separated organization, McCoy spent a great amount of time travelling from unit to unit.

McCoy started his last round of site visits during May as he toured the 748th Supply Chain Management Group at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. His travel ended with a visit to the 635th Supply Chain Operations Wing and 635th Supply Chain Operations Group at Scott.
During each visit McCoy toured work centers to visit with the men and women under his command. He also hosted a "town hall" meeting at each location to address the unit as a whole, discuss pertinent issues, say his final farewell and thank personnel for their hard work and dedication.

"These meetings are always my favorite part of any visit," said McCoy.

He said he is pleased to see progress made in just three short years the AFGLSC has been in existence.

"The men and women of the AFGLSC are true professionals and have proven time and time again they deliver combat capability. The AFGLSC has faced many challenges in supporting the warfighter but always found a way to deliver what the warfighter needs, when and where it is needed," McCoy said.

At each town hall meeting McCoy spent a few minutes addressing the young Airmen in attendance. He told them about how he started his Air Force career as an enlisted Airman, and how hard work and mentoring were key factors in getting his education and pursuing a commission. McCoy acknowledged that many NCOs, officers and civilians helped him throughout his career.

"I did not enter the Air Force expecting to be a two-star general, but I always gave my very best and welcomed every opportunity to serve," said McCoy.

McCoy would also tell them the story of when he was a third grader in rural South Carolina, and a special guest showed up at his school one day. The guest was a local young man who had enlisted into the Army and became a Green Beret. McCoy was in awe of what seemed to be a "10-foot tall man with a crisp uniform, big polished boots and shiny medals." It was at this moment he told himself, "I don't know what that guy is, but I want to be one of them."

As for his 42 year military career, McCoy said, "I have lived the American dream, and I never take any of this for granted. I have been blessed more than I could ever imagine. All I have ever wanted to do is serve and do my level best when given the opportunity. This has been my philosophy throughout my career, both as an Airman and as a general."

With the upcoming change of command and his retirement, McCoy said, "I am proud to have served as the commander of the AFGLSC, but even more, I am proud to have served with all the professional men and women throughout my career. The people are what I will miss the most."