Logistics program selects Fairchild captain

Published April 22, 2015
By Staff Sgt. Veronica Montes
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- A Fairchild AFB captain was recently selected as one of 20 officers from various career fields across the Air Force for the annual Air Force Logistic Career Broadening Program.

Capt. Taylor Branco, 92nd Maintenance Squadron operations officer, has been leading the maintenance production effort in the 92nd MXS, and will begin attending the two-year program in July.

"I was really interested in learning the idea of long-term sustainment for aircraft," said Branco. "I was also excited to be selected, and very humbled at the opportunity."

The program provides logistics officers a chance to gain specialized knowledge in their career field and opportunities to grow as managers and leaders working in various disciplines. Each discipline offers rotational training, providing experiences in maintenance, program and supply chain management.

"You are assimilated into their work," he said. "It's about learning long-term sustainability for all different aircraft, and keeping them in the air for years instead of just for the mission."

Branco has been an operations officer for the whole two years he's been at Fairchild. He said it is a great opportunity to get out and strengthen his skills. He encourages others to seek career broadening opportunities and talk with their leadership regarding their goals and where they want to go in their career.

"Programs like this are important to me because they give you a wider lens to look through, and so much more life experience," he said. "There are all sorts of opportunities out there; you just need to find them."

Selectees to the program can complete their training at Hill AFB, Utah; Robins AFB, Georgia; or Tinker AFB, Okla. Branco was selected to complete the two-year broadening program at Tinker AFB, then a follow-on year in the field. While he is there he will be able to obtain a Master's Degree in the Air Force Institute of Technology.

Branco's leadership had nothing but great things to say about his selection to the LCBP.

"Branco has excelled in his five years as a maintenance officer," said Maj. Leonard Shores, 92nd MXS commander. "Of the 20 individuals selected for the program, only six were from the aircraft maintenance discipline. I am proud of what he has done for this squadron, and I am excited for this opportunity he has been selected for!"

"I have had great support from my leadership and I am so thankful for that," Branco said. "I am just excited to have the chance to go and participate. Wherever they land me, hopefully I will sprout."

Capt. Branco