Defense Logistics Agency Energy Japan welcomed Air Force Maj. Charles “Chuck” Coffman during a change of command ceremony on Yokota Air Base, July 14.
Air Force Maj. Justin D’Agostino turned over command as employees, friends and family watched the virtual ceremony. Commander of DLA Indo-Pacific, Navy Capt. Jason Adams, presided over the ceremony from DLA Indo-Pacific headquarters at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.
“Command is the pinnacle of achievement in an officer’s career,” Adams said. “Every successful commanding officer must fully understand the responsibility, authority and accountability that goes with the job. These assignments are some of the toughest in our military.”
Before welcoming Coffman to the team, Adams spoke highly of D’Agostino’s time commanding DLA Energy Japan.
“What Justin, and equally important DLA Energy Japan team, has accomplished over the past two years demonstrates the success of his command leadership,” Adams said. “Justin, you have set the bar high. You’ve consistently and professionally maintained a razor sharp focus towards the future, and through your keen ability to visualize the right path you were able to steer this organization to success and significantly enhancing warfighter capabilities and operational support to the military services. I congratulate on an excellent job well done.”
D’Agostino received the Defense Meritorious Service Medal for the two years he provided “unfaltering” support to United States Forces Japan and DLA Energy Indo-Pacific Command. He credited the Japan team for their hard work providing the 779 million gallons of fuel worth $2.3 billion, underwriting continued operations, exercises, and sustainment in protection of American interests in the Western Pacific.
“I give my sincere thanks and appreciation,” he said. “Thank you for being the patient teacher, for your dedication and for your perseverance these past two years. Each and every one of you have been steadfast in your dedication to our mission and to improving our support to the warfighter.”
As D’Agostino welcomed Coffman, he urged the team to continue to do great work anticipating the needs of the warfighter even before they anticipate it.
Coffman is a recent graduate of Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, and has held several joint and multinational logistics, air mobility and security cooperation positions.
“I look forward to watching you flourish in command,” Adams said. “Your expertise, leadership and experience will be the key instruments that will makes these years ahead a success in meeting the demands of the changes and challenges that await us on the horizon.”
Coffman thanked Adams and DLA Energy Commander Air Force Brig. Gen. Jimmy Canlas for their confidence in his leadership.
“I’m honored to have this opportunity to be out here and lead,” Coffman said. “Over the past couple of weeks as I’ve learned what this unit does and the vast responsibility that it has. I’ve gotten excited to be a part of the team.”
DLA Energy Japan’s mission is to provide United States Forces and government agencies in Japan the most effective and efficient petroleum support possible through dedicated partnership with the U.S. Forces Japan, its customers and its suppliers. DLA Energy Japan supports U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. Forces Japan, its component commanders, and their 130,000 military, civilian, dependents and local nationals across area.