Maj. Gen. Thomas Owen, director of Logistics and Sustainment for Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command, speaks to newly hired Air Force civilian contracting specialists during their in-processing July 20 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The new hires are part of a recently announced Air Force-wide effort to increase the size of its in-house acquisition workforce, following an extended period of restructure and downsizing. In June, 33 new contracting specialists started work at Wright-Patt and a third group is expected in late August. Owen has been selected for promotion to lieutenant general and reassignment in August as commander, Aeronautical Systems Center. (Air Force photo by Al Bright).