NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. –
Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Bahrain, Southwest Asia welcomed its new commander, Navy Cmdr. Joshua Langhorne, during a change of command ceremony held June 11 onboard Naval Support Activity Bahrain. Langhorne relieved Navy Cmdr. John Olabode, who led the distribution center for two years.
Army Col. Michelle M. Agpalza, commander, DLA Central Command & Special Operations Command, presided over the ceremony, highlighting the important role the DLA Distribution Bahrain workforce plays in supporting operations across the region. “What you do enables our allied nations to provide effective deterrence against the adversaries and enemies of both of us throughout the region,” said Agpalza.
During her remarks, Agpalza called Olabode a tireless leader, team builder, and inspiration who prioritized his workforce. During his two-year tenure, Olabode led DLA Distribution Bahrain in providing critical support to U.S. Fifth and Sixth Fleet operations and coalition forces in the region, navigating challenges while maintaining high performance metrics and inventory accuracy. He fostered strong relationships with tenant commands, built a diverse workforce of local nationals, U.S. civilians, and military personnel and ensured consistent supply lines in a contested logistics environment. Under his command, the facility housed over 10,000 unique items valued at over $66 million.
During the change of command ceremony, Olabode expressed gratitude for his team at DLA Distribution Bahrain. He emphasized that any recognition he received was a direct result of their unwavering dedication and commitment to excellence. Olabode credited the team's collaborative efforts and hard work for successfully navigating complex challenges and strategic shifts within CENTCOM.
Langhorne comes to DLA Distribution Bahrain with a wealth of experience from a career that began with his commissioning through the Officer Candidate School Program in 2005. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Southern Polytechnic State University and a Master of Business Administration from the Naval Postgraduate School with a specialty in Supply Chain Management. A Surface Warfare Supply Corps Officer, his previous assignments include Code 430 Future Ops and Plans Officer aboard Fleet Logistics Center Yokosuka, Japan.
Ashore, he has served as an intern in the Business Enterprise Management Program, project manager and deputy for Ordnance Information Systems aboard NAVSUP Business Systems Center in Mechanicsburg, PA, Replenishment Officer and Current Operations Officer in the N3 Directorate for Commander Logistics Forces/Commander Task Force 53 in Bahrain, and Director of the Logistics Support Team at NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center, San Diego. Afloat, he served as Disbursing Officer aboard USS DECATUR (DDG 73), Staff Supply Officer for Commander Seventh Fleet forward deployed in Yokosuka, Japan aboard USS BLUE RIDGE (LCC 19), precomissioning Supply Officer for USS JOHN P MURTHA (LPD 26), and Deputy N4 Assistant Chief of Staff for logistics, ordnance, and sustainment on the Commander Seventh Fleet Staff. He is a fully qualified Department of the Navy Acquisition Professional Member with certifications in Program Management and Life Cycle Logistics, and subspecialties in Supply Chain Management and IT Logistics. His awards include two Meritorious Service Medals, four Navy Commendation Medals, and two Navy Achievement Medals.
DLA Distribution Bahrain serves as the single Theater Distribution Platform within the CENTCOM area of responsibility. It maintains forward-positioned stock and provides multi-modal distribution to all branches of service in the region, performing standard distribution operations like receipt, storage, shipping, issuing, inventory control, and packaging. Through its Material Processing Centers, it offers tailored distribution services on fleet requisitioned materiel, including customized sorting, temporary storage, customized delivery options, expedited shipment tracking, and freight forwarding. The center stores a variety of materiel, including repair parts, clothing, petroleum products, and construction materials