After 33 years in a career of federal service, the chief of staff for the Ogden Air Logistics Center retired at the Hill Aerospace Museum, Jan. 29. Aksel Aydoner began his service in 1976 with the Air Force and later became an operations and research analyst and mathematical statistician as a civilian in the Engineering Division at the OO-ALC. Eventually assigned to his current position, he served under the direction of the two previous commanders of the OO-ALC, and Maj. Gen. Andrew Busch, current OO-ALC commander.
Known as an institution of sorts at Hill Air Force Base, Aydoner thanked all those who helped to shape his career, including those he served with, including a humorous reference to "those criminals who welcomed me into their ranks."
His remarks were filled with humility and respect for those he served with noting however, that he considered the OO-ALC people some of the finest. "We are very fortunate to have the greatest community in the Air Force, maybe in the Department of Defense," he said.
Aydoner paid tribute to his father, a freedom fighter in Yugoslavia. The family moved to Turkey. when Aydoner was 13 months old, to escape communism and eventually emigrated to the United States.
Among his final remarks he noted, "Remember happiness is the consequence of personal effort."
He concluded, "I salute you, thank you and God bless."
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Kevin Sullivan said in his introduction of the civil servant he assigned to the post of chief of staff, "He had the perfect temperament for the job ...you're gonna miss him when he's gone."
Aydoner's wife, Mary Jo, presented him with his retirement pin.
Comments