NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. –
Navy Cmdr. Ian Iliff, a native of Cumberland, Maryland, relinquished command to Navy Cmdr. Daniel Maldonado during a ceremony held at Navy Base Yokosuka, Japan, June 14. The ceremony was presided over by Navy Capt. Patrick Blake, commander, Defense Logistics Agency Indo-Pacific command.
“It has been an amazing two years with this team,” said Iliff. “The workforce here is the best example of what our warfighters need and demonstrates the strong unity and partnership we maintain with the nation of Japan.”
Iliff oversaw the daily operations of over 300 Japanese nationals, 45 U.S. civilians and 30 U.S. military personnel. He was responsible for than 46,000 unique items valued at over $308 million.
During his tenure he was known as a commander that cared about his workforce and morale, recognizing the importance of his people as the backbone of operations for his command.
Under his leadership DLA Distribution Yokosuka, Japan, would participate in multiple Indo-Pacific region multi-national exercises establishing a strong supply line supporting our warfighters and ensuring deterrence from regional aggression.
He is relieved by Maldonado who earned his commission in the Navy Supply Corps through Officer Candidate School program in 2006.
Maldonado holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from the University of Texas at the Permian Basin and Master of Business Administration in Petroleum Management from the University of Kansas. He completed the Navy Business Resources Management Program at Darden School of Business, University of Virginia.
His afloat and operational tours include duties as Logistics Department Head, SEAL Team FIVE; Deputy Commander Army - G4 Operations Officer, NATO Training Mission Afghanistan; and Supply Officer, Mine Countermeasures Rotational Crew Fearless embarked on USS Ardent (MCM-12) and USS Chief (MCM-14).
Ashore, he completed a military executive fellowship under the Navy’s Training with Industry Program at ExxonMobil, Houston, TX; served as the Regional Fuels Officer, Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center San Diego; and Naval Acquisition Contracting Officer Internship, DLA Land and Maritime.
Commander Maldonado joined the U.S. Special Operations Command Directorate of Logistics in August 2022.
He is a qualified Naval Expeditionary Supply Corps Officer, Surface Warfare Supply Corps Officer, and member of the Defense Acquisition Corps. His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards). Additionally, he is the 2019 recipient of the Navy Fuels Officer of the Year Award for Excellence in Naval Fuel Management.