RICHMOND, VA –
Air Force Brig. Gen. David Sanford became the 33rd Defense Logistics Agency Aviation commander during a change of command ceremony held in the Frank B. Lotts Conference Center on Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia, July 9.
Sanford previously served as associate director, Directorate of Resource Integration, Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., where he assisted the director in the planning, programming and budgeting of weapons systems sustainment, vehicles and support equipment, logistics and installation resource requirements.
He takes over from Air Force Brig. Gen. Linda Hurry, the first female commander of DLA Aviation. Hurry is headed up to Washington, D.C. and will be the next director of logistics for the U. S. Air Force.
Distinguished guests in attendance for the ceremony included Air Force Maj. Gen. Allan Day, former DLA Aviation commander, now director of Logistics Operations, DLA Headquarters, Fort Belvoir, Virginia; Navy Rear Adm. John Palmer, commander, DLA Land and Maritime, Columbus, Ohio; Army Brig. Gen. James Ring, director of the Joint Staff, Virginia National Guard, Richmond, Virginia.
Members of the DLA Aviation Hall of Fame were also in attendance, as were friends, family, DSCR and tenant commands employees, industry and community partners.
DLA Director Army Lt. Gen. Darrell Williams officiated the ceremony, during which, he offered his sincere gratitude to Hurry for all of her hard work and dedication in support of the nation’s warfighters.
“Linda, your leadership of DLA Aviation over these two years has been masterful. On behalf of DLA, I want to thank you for a job well done,” Williams said.
Williams presented Hurry with the Defense Superior Service Medal for her superior service as commander, Defense Logistics Agency Aviation and unwavering support to the warfighter.
During her farewell speech, Hurry expressed her gratitude to the workforce she led for two years.
“Thanks for allowing me to be a part of this amazing team. Thanks for all the wonderful support you’ve given the warfighter across the globe. Thanks for doing the right thing. Thanks for caring and thanks for taking care of each other,” she said.
Hurry then relinquished command of DLA Aviation by passing the organizational flag to Williams, who then passed the flag to Sanford. This evolution signifies the passing of authority, responsibility, trust and mission from the senior commander to the new commander.
Sanford, in his first official speech to the workforce as commander, kept his words short but made a powerful statement as to his expectations during his tenure.
“To the men and women of DLA Aviation, we are one team of brothers and sisters in this profession of arms, a team made up of diverse service members and families that proudly and honorably serve our nation. I look forward to serving with you on this winning team, and I challenge you to make our organization even better!” he said.