CAMP WALKER, Daegu –
From the “land of morning calm,” Defense Logistics Agency Energy Korea welcomed a new commander during a change of command ceremony at Camp Walker, Daegu, June 27.
Army Lt. Col. Jose Medina relinquished command to Army Lt. Col. Dennis Han as friends, family and colleagues watched virtually from Texas and other parts of the United States.
DLA Indo-Pacific Military Deputy Commander Army Col. Brian Donahue presided over the ceremony. In his remarks, Donahue praised Medina for his leadership and professionalism.
“Lt. Col. Medina is an aggressive leader who never wavered on his warfighter focus and fight tonight readiness,” Donahue said. “He led the organization through one of the most challenging periods of uncertainty we’ve seen in decades, and he rose to every challenge.”
Halfway around the world in Virginia, DLA Energy Commander Air Force Brig. Gen. Jimmy Canlas congratulated Medina for leading his team so well.
“Joe—congrats on a great command tour in Korea,” Canlas wrote in an email. “Thanks for leading the team so well.”
Medina received the Defense Meritorious Service Medal for supporting of the Korean Theater of Operations during a period of heightened regional political and military tensions. He oversaw multiple initiatives in developing, refining, and codifying processes and procedures to assure Defense Logistics Agency Energy Korea operations would successfully transition to nonarmistice conditions.
“These past two years flew by to quick, and I can honestly say I wish I could stay another year,” Medina said in an email to senior leadership. “I have a great team that can move mountains for us in Korea and in the region.”
Han is a second generation Korean and received his commission thru the Penn State University Army ROTC program in 2003. He joins the DLA Energy team from Special Operations Command Korea, Camp Humphreys, Republic of Korea, where he served as the Director of Logistics.
“Thank you for entrusting me to lead this outstanding formation of joint servicemembers, U.S. & Korean civilians, as well as the critical strategic mission that it holds here in the Republic of Korea and across the Indo-Pacific,” Han said. “It is truly an honor and privilege to serve and command in our Nation’s Combat Logistics Support Agency.”
Medina’s next assignment is U.S. Army Sustainment Command, Rock Island, Illinois.
The DLA Energy Korea mission is to provide world-class petroleum supply, transport, and management for U.S. forces in the Republic of Korea. The command consists of U.S. Soldiers and Airmen, Department of Defense civilians, and Korean employees. Headquartered at Camp Walker, Daegu, DLA Energy Korea has a residency office and a petroleum laboratory at Camp Humphreys.