COLUMBUS, Ohio –
Defense Supply Center Columbus and the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime bid farewell to its commanding general April 18.
In her parting thoughts to the military and civilian workforce she commanded since July 2022, Army Brig. Gen. Gail Atkins called upon the joint team to continue pressing forward to meet the needs of the military services.
“Though this mission will always be challenging, it matters that we execute it every day. And I’ve asked you, rhetorically at times: ‘If not us, then who? And if not now, then when?’” she said. “May we never lose sight of why we have the most lethal, powerful and advanced military the world has ever seen. May we always remain ready, so we never have to get ready. I’m asking you to leave it on the field every single day. Thank you for what you do…warfighter always.”
DLA Director Army Lt. Gen. Mark Simerly presided over the ceremony, awarding Atkins the Defense Superior Service Medal following her successful 33-month tenure at DSCC.
Simerly spoke about Atkins’ career performance, lauding her ability to step into the DLA Land and Maritime role and achieve significant milestones. DLA Land and Maritime celebrated a new benchmark in support of the Navy Nuclear Reactor Program, with resiliency numbers exceeding 97% for the past 10 months, levels unseen since 2011, Simerly said.
Under her tenure, DLA Land and Maritime provided exceptional supply chain management across multiple theaters of operation and DSCC earned national recognition with the Commander in Chief’s Award for Installation Excellence in 2024.
“The Department of Defense relies on DLA Land and Maritime – this team assembled here today – more than ever to keep our servicemembers well equipped and in the fight,” Simerly said. “Brigadier General Atkins’ impact and contributions to the mission have been profound. She brought the right skillset and high energy to this command at just the right time.”
“To the many extraordinary leaders and associates that fill these halls, and our forward detachments and shipyard sites every day, I want to extend my gratitude to each of you…know that I’ve truly appreciated your hard work, exquisite technical expertise, and the wise counsel and advice that you have given me,” Atkins said in her closing remarks.
“I want to urge each of you to trust how you fit into this critical mission…I have told you all, be true to who you are. Lean in with your God-given talents every single day,” she added.
Following military tradition, Simerly, Atkins and DLA’s senior enlisted leader, Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt. Alvin Dyer, participated in a flag pass, turning over the organization’s colors to Acting Commander Ken Watson. Watson will lead the organization until a new military commander arrives.
“Ken has served in key defense logistics roles at both the DOD Office of the Secretary of Defense and U.S. Transportation Command,” Simerly said. “He has been doing an exquisite job here as deputy, managing the precision side of the business while working alongside the acquisition executive to take care of this great team. Ken, with your leadership and technical skills, I’ve got complete confidence that you will guide this organization with a steady hand and provide a smooth glide path for the next commander of DLA Land and Maritime. Thank you for taking on the challenge of serving as the acting commander.”
Watson assumed his role as DLA Land and Maritime’s deputy commander in 2019, where his responsibilities encompass the logistics operations of associates at 30 locations worldwide, to include DLA depot-level reparable detachments, Army and Marine Corps industrial sites, and detachments supporting U.S. Navy shipyards.
He is a 2011 graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and the 2010 Defense Senior Leader Development Program cohort. Career assignments include deputy assistant secretary of defense for materiel readiness; deputy director for strategy, capabilities, policy, and logistics for U.S. Transportation Command; and deputy chief of the capabilities division for the Joint Staff’s Directorate of Logistics, J4. He deployed to Afghanistan as the director of sustainment under the Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan and to Iraq under the Office of Security Cooperation – Iraq.
Atkins will next head to Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, to serve as chief of operations for the U.S. Army Materiel Command.