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News | June 21, 2021

DLA Europe and Africa welcomes new commander

By Dianne Ryder DLA Public Affairs

Army Col. Faith Chamberlain took the reins as Defense Logistics Agency Europe & Africa commander from departing commander Army Col. Krista Hoffman in a virtual change of command ceremony June 14.

Chamberlain will lead DLA Europe & Africa’s 700-person team, which supports 10 countries on two continents.

Hoffman, who has led the command since June 2019, has completed three leadership tours with DLA. In her next assignment, she will serve as the Army Deputy Chief of Staff logistics initiatives group chief at the Pentagon.

“It has been a privilege commanding this particular organization. The agency is and has been fortunate to have such gifted and caring leaders on the team,” Hoffman said, addressing DLA Director Navy Vice Adm. Michelle Skubic and Air Force Maj. Gen. Allan Day, who retired last month after serving as director of DLA Logistics Operations. “It’s certainly not easy leading a global organization from an office in Virginia, but I speak for the team and from the heart when I say that we always felt your presence, leadership and most importantly, your support.” 

Chamberlain, a native of western Pennsylvania, was commissioned in 1999 as a Quartermaster Officer from West Point. She began her career with the 596th Maintenance Company in Darmstadt, Germany, as the ground support equipment platoon leader deploying to Macedonia in support of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization mission.

Her work with U.S. Army Europe and Africa afforded her an opportunity to better understand DLA’s customers, Day said. Chamberlain is also a DLA veteran, having led DLA Energy’s fuel mission in South Korea. 

Chamberlain said she was thrilled to be back with DLA and touted her previous experience in the region during the 1990s.

“I’ve remained involved, to include traveling to Liberia in 2012, studying U.S. assistance seen through the eyes of the Liberians and the humanitarian community,” she said. “These vignettes from my journey are shared only to explain my deep, personal conviction and professional commitment to our mission, which is supporting [U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command], NATO, allies and partners.”

She said she looks forward to fostering a culture of support among team members.

“The team’s excellent performance through this global pandemic to clothe, feed, equip, supply, store, transport, dispose and plan is a true testament to your willingness to tackle any complex problem,” she said. “In the next two years, DLA Europe & Africa will continue to provide unparalleled customer support, leadership of the joint logistics enterprise and innovation to meet emerging requirements.”

Chamberlain said DLA Europe & Africa’s new leaders, including Deputy Commander Don Bruce, will guide the organization in integrating DLA support and developing the team, which includes local nationals, civilians and military members. 

“Your command team is here to take care of you, maintain communication, and empower you to thrive personally and professionally while always supporting our warfighters.”