Product Support Manager Forum links professionals, ideas, leaders Published Aug. 15, 2023 By Allyson B. Crawford, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio (AFLCMC) -- The annual Product Support Manager (PSM) Forum brings together professionals to discuss current and emerging topics related to product support and provides a chance for networking and professional development. The 2023 edition was held at Wright-Patterson AFB on June 27- 29. The forum had a targeted focus each day: Day 1: A New Reality Day 2: War Readiness Day 3: Sustaining the Future-Accelerating Transformation. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall provided the opening keynote address. Dr. Michael Bayer of Defense Acquisition University (DAU) served as moderator. Other speakers were AFLCMC commander, Lt. Gen, Shaun Morris, AFLCMC logistics director, Lansen Conley, and Lt. Gen. Tom D. Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection for Headquarters Air Force. PSM Forum 2023 Final Day Presentations at the fifth annual Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) Logistics Product Support Manager (PSM) Forum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, June 27, 2023. The multi-day event aims to generate conversations on improving Air Force readiness and operational effectiveness across the logistics enterprise. (U.S. Air Force photo by SSgt. Mikaley Kline) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res PSM Forum 2023 Final Day Presentations at the fifth annual Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) Logistics Product Support Manager (PSM) Forum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, June 27, 2023. The multi-day event aims to generate conversations on improving Air Force readiness and operational effectiveness across the logistics enterprise. (U.S. Air Force photo by SSgt. Mikaley Kline) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res PSM Forum 2023 Final Day Lansen Conley, SES, Director of the AFLCMC Logistics Directorate gives a presentation at the fifth annual Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) Logistics Product Support Manager (PSM) Forum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, June 27, 2023. The multi-day event aims to generate conversations on improving Air Force readiness and operational effectiveness across the logistics enterprise. (U.S. Air Force photo by SSgt. Mikaley Kline) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Between speeches, networking and technology updates, PEO and ALC roundtables gave attendees a chance to ask questions and hear from experts on life cycle management in practical application to the USAF mission. During his keynote, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall addressed how the acquisition career field and daily work of PSMs intersects with the seven Air Force Operational Imperatives (OIs). The OIs help direct the USAF to deter conflict and protect air superiority against pacing challenges. PSM Forum 2023 The Honorable Frank Kendall, Secretary of the Air Force, delivered the keynote address at the fifth annual Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) Product Support Manager (PSM) Forum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, June 27, 2023. The multi-day event aims to generate conversations on improving Air Force readiness and operational effectiveness across the logistics enterprise. During his speech, Secretary Kendall discussed Air Force Operational Imperatives and the important role PSMs play to the enterprise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jim Varthegyi) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res PSM Forum 2023 Group shot at the fifth annual Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) Product Support Manager (PSM) Forum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, June 27, 2023. The multi-day event aims to generate conversations on improving Air Force readiness and operational effectiveness across the logistics enterprise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jim Varthegyi) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res PSM Forum 2023 TDamon Hobley (virtual) Lance Bartlett (seated left) and Nelli Hanson (seated right) participate in a product support for software pathway programs software panel discussion during the fifth annual Product Support Manager (PSM) Forum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, June 27, 2023. The multi-day event aims to generate conversations on improving Air Force readiness and operational effectiveness across the logistics enterprise. The Honorable Frank Kendall, Secretary of the Air Force, delivered the keynote address earlier in the day. He discussed Air Force Operational Imperatives and the important role PSMs play in the enterprise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jim Varthegyi) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res A large portion of Kendall’s address focused on China and that nation’s accelerated investments in programs and technology that can target aircraft, airfields and satellites. Morris reminded forum attendees of their importance to the Air Force enterprise. He also addressed questions about real-time logistics issues with the global supply chain and how this impacts the contracting process. Morris also talked about the focus of his role as Commander of AFLCMC – and how it is his job to ensure the Center’s mission to “organize, train and equip” the Warfighter is completed. With that, one of the big initiatives this year is hiring thousands of qualified external candidates to fill critical roles within the Center. The Forum closed with remarks from Conley and a nod of appreciation for the attention and attendance. Details for the next PSM Forum are forthcoming. The PSM Forum planning committee is always looking for event feedback, topic ideas and speaker suggestions. Send comments, concerns and ideas to Michael Speed at michael.speed.1@us.af.mil. ​ PSM Forum 2023 Shawn Harrison from the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) talks to attendees during the fifth annual Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) Logistics Product Support Manager (PSM) Forum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, June 27, 2023. The multi-day event aims to generate conversations on improving Air Force readiness and operational effectiveness across the logistics enterprise. The Honorable Frank Kendall, Secretary of the Air Force, delivered the keynote address to the forum. He discussed Air Force Operational Imperatives and the important role PSMs play in the enterprise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jim Varthegyi) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res PSM Forum 2023 Angela Tymofichuk. Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Logistics and Product Support (right) congratulates Annette Benging for being named the 2022 Secretary of Defense Product Support Manager of the Year during the fifth annual Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) Logistics Product Support Manager (PSM) Forum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, June 27, 2023. The multi-day event aims to generate conversations on improving Air Force readiness and operational effectiveness across the logistics enterprise. The Honorable Frank Kendall, Secretary of the Air Force, delivered the keynote address to the forum. He discussed Air Force Operational Imperatives and the important role PSMs play in the enterprise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jim Varthegyi) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res PSM Forum 2023 The Honorable Frank Kendall, Secretary of the Air Force, delivered the keynote address at the fifth annual Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) Product Support Manager (PSM) Forum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, June 27, 2023. The multi-day event aims to generate conversations on improving Air Force readiness and operational effectiveness across the logistics enterprise. During his speech, Secretary Kendall discussed Air Force Operational Imperatives and the important role PSMs play to the enterprise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jim Varthegyi) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res