JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas – Brig. Gen. Lance R. French assumed his new role as the Air Force Installation Contracting Center commander earlier this month.
Headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, AFICC is comprised of operational acquisition professionals around the world who provide innovative contract solutions to enable the Air Force mission. We asked the general a few questions about his career and his thoughts about joining the AFIMSC team.
Time in service?
I’ve been in the Air Force for 27 years. I was commissioned through Air Force ROTC Detachment 505 at New Mexico State University in 1995.
Hometown?
I was born in Chicago, Illinois, and lived in Fox River Grove, Illinois, until I was 13. My mom then moved us to Alamogordo, New Mexico, in 1985 where I was exposed to the Air Force for the first time with Holloman Air Force Base right next door. I graduated high school in Alamogordo and went to NMSU in Las Cruces.
Can you please tell us a little about your career leading up to this point?
After graduating from NMSU I started my contracting officer career at Holloman AFB (no, the Air Force didn’t send me far) doing base-level contracting. I was a systems-level procuring contracting officer at Los Angeles AFB, California, and Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. I served on major command, Secretary of the Air Force and combatant command staffs. AFICC is my fifth command and I am just as excited as when I took command of my first unit, the 52nd Contracting Squadron at Spangdahlem AB, Germany, in 2008.
What about your new role has you the most excited?
Returning to Air Force contracting! I’ve been away for a little bit and am happy to be back with my fellow Air Force contracting professionals.
What do you want the AFIMSC team to know about you?
I’m excited to be part of AFIMSC’s mission. Taking care of Airmen and their families is one of the most important things we do. I’m looking forward to working with the other primary subordinate units to provide the best support we can.
What do you like most about working for the Air Force?
It has to be the people. The Air Force is comprised of some of the smartest, most innovative people in the Department of Defense. I am constantly amazed by the solutions and ideas our professionals come up with if you just empower them.
What's something people would be surprised to know about you?
I have four boys, aged 20-30. My youngest son, Ethan, just finished his freshman year at NMSU (my alma mater). If he finishes in four years (fingers-crossed), he’ll graduate and get commissioned at the same location as myself, exactly 30 years later.
Is there anything you would like to add?
My wife Mistee and I are excited to be part of AFICC and Team AFIMSC, and we are happy to be back at Wright-Patterson. We made some of our closest friends during our first tour here and our youngest was born at the Wright-Patterson Medical Center!
To learn more about the general’s career, read his bio at Lance R. French > Air Force Installation & Mission Support Center > Biography (af.mil).