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News | May 18, 2023

DLA Europe & Africa host Joint Logistics Ball

By David Krall DLA Europe & Africa

Kaiserslautern, Germany  –  

Army Col. Faith Chamberlain hosted the second Annual Joint Logistics Ball at Heidelberg Castle May 6, 2023.

Six uniformed members of an honor guard pose with their backs to a castle wall.
The Ramstein Airbase Honor Guard poses outside Heidelberg Castle in Heidelberg, Germany, May 6.
Six uniformed members of an honor guard pose with their backs to a castle wall.
2nd Annual Joint Logistics Ball
The Ramstein Airbase Honor Guard poses outside Heidelberg Castle in Heidelberg, Germany, May 6.
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Photo By: JOSEPH SPEIRS
VIRIN: 230506-D-D0441-1002
This event was planned by the Defense Logistics Agency Europe & Africa Ball Committee over the last year led by Army Lt. Col. Erikson McCleary, the U.S. European Command DLA Liaison Team Chief. The ball was attended by logistics leaders across DLA Europe & Africa, to include our assigned and rotational service members, civilians and local nations, as well as USEUCOM Director of Logistics Navy Rear Adm. “Duke” Heinz, 21st Theater Sustainment Command and U.S. Army Europe and Africa colleagues, as well as our esteemed keynote speaker, the former USAREUR Commander retired Army Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges. The well-polished Ramstein Airbase Honor Guard formally opened the ceremony by posting the colors.

The evening at the Heidelberg castle allowed theater logisticians and subject matter experts the opportunity to share time together and to reflect on the theater’s current and future sustainment needs. Hodges highlighted the strategic importance of our forward-deployed forces, their deterrent capabilities, and if necessary, our ability to protect and defend NATO. He acknowledged the vital role the U.S. and its logistics capabilities continue to play in strengthening NATO’s integrated deterrence and collective security. He highlighted DLA’s need to remain innovative, flexible and to operate “left of bang” as logistics enables operations. Ultimately, operational successes depend on logistics professionals ensuring the commodities, contracts, consumables, and services are provided in the right quantity, right place, and right time.

Hodges went on to comment that DLA Europe & Africa has been integral in providing the necessary support, while simultaneously remaining flexible and agile to provide the warfighters with joint logistics across the theater. The evening was a much-needed respite and an opportunity to share in the camaraderie and fellowship across the DLA Europe & Africa family and the team of teams.