YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan –
Defense Logistics Agency Energy Japan welcomed Air Force Lt. Col. James Smith and bid goodbye to Air Force Maj. Charles Coffman during a virtual change of command ceremony on Yokota Air Base, June 27.
DLA Indo-Pacific Commander Navy Capt. Patrick Blake presided over the ceremony from DLA Indo-Pacific headquarters at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii.
Coffman received the Defense Meritorious Service Medal for the two years he led the DLA Energy Japan team. He oversaw the sustainment of 150 retail locations and 16 Defense Fuel Support Points with over 400 million gallons of strategic fuel supporting missions across all service components in the U.S. Indo-Pacific theater of operations. Additionally, he managed $752 million in throughput and capitalized sales of petroleum supporting 96,000 personnel in Japan and 13 million gallons of fuel support to the Japanese Self Defense Forces via Fuels Exchange Agreement strengthening the ties with the strategic partner.
“The men and women of team DLA Energy Japan would like to extend our sincere appreciation to Major Coffman for his leadership and personal contributions during his tenure,” said Caleb Whitaker, DLA Energy Japan Deputy Director. “We would also like to extend a warm welcome to Lt. Col. Smith and his family as they join our amazing 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.