NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA, Sicily –
Navy Cmdr. Aaron K. Smith has assumed command of Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Sigonella, Italy. Located in Sicily, the distribution center serves as a logistics hub supporting U.S. and allied military forces operating across the European and African theaters.
Smith takes leadership of the command with a background in military operations, acquisition, and logistics, outlining immediate priorities focused on mission support, workforce safety, and operational efficiency.
“We are working for the services and combatant commanders to extend operational reach and allow them to project power,” Smith said. “That’s what we’re doing by posturing parts and material with precision so the warfighter can accomplish the mission and come home safely.”
According to Smith, maintaining warehouse safety standards is a key priority alongside meeting operational demands.
“Everybody needs to go home safe at the end of the day,” Smith said. “Safety in the warehouse and across the workforce will always remain a top priority.”
A Navy Supply Corps officer, Smith’s previous operational assignments include tours aboard the USS Winston S. Churchill and USS Carter Hall. He also completed a previous assignment in Sicily from 2011 to 2014, which he noted provided valuable regional context for his current command position.
His shore assignments include a tour at DLA Headquarters, where he worked on strategic-level logistics planning.
“Understanding how DLA operates from the top down and seeing how logistics supports operational warfighters across multiple theaters gave me a deeper appreciation for the role distribution plays in global readiness,” Smith said.
Upon taking command, Smith introduced a leadership philosophy structured around five core tenets: Dedication, Duty, Stewardship, Innovation, and Growth. The acronym, "DDSIG," is intended to guide the command's daily operations and organizational culture.
Under this framework, dedication focuses on readiness and safety, while duty emphasizes customer service and inter-agency partnerships. Stewardship directs the management of personnel, equipment, and taxpayer resources. Innovation encourages the integration of new technology into warehouse operations, and growth prioritizes professional development across the civilian, military, and local national workforce.
Smith described his overall management approach as centered on collaborative leadership and personnel development.
“My leadership style is servant leadership,” Smith said. “It’s about prioritizing the well-being of the workforce, empowering people to make decisions, and committing to their growth and development.”