FORD ISLAND, Hawaii –
Navy Capt. Daniel Metz assumed leadership of the Defense Logistics Agency Pacific Regional Command from Navy Capt. Patrick Brown during a change of command ceremony on Ford Island, framed by the USS Arizona Memorial and the USS Missouri — two historic backdrops standing just 100 yards apart, representing the beginning and the end of the Pacific War.
The ceremony was officiated by Air Force Maj. Gen. David Sanford, who serves in a dual-hatted role as the director of Logistics Operations and commander of Joint Regional Combat Support for the DLA.
Sanford praised the outgoing commander during the June 18 ceremony.
“You were definitely the right leader at the right time in history that DLA and your nation needed, leading in PACOM. Thank you to you and your team,” Sanford said.
Brown’s tenure as the DLA Pacific Commander was marked by significant contributions to regional logistics and military readiness. A Surface Warfare and Navy Expeditionary Supply Corps Officer, his previous role was Director of Ordnance Logistics and Fleet Readiness and Training for the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Brown’s next assignment will be commander of the Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group in Williamsburg, Virginia.
“To the men and women of DLA Pacific, it has been the profound honor of my career to serve as your commander,” Brown said. “Keep pushing the envelope, keep taking care of each other and keep sustaining the joint force. Thank you, God bless, and Aloha.”
Sanford welcomed Metz and stated his full confidence in the new commander.
“Your experience and leadership have prepared you well for this command and for the responsibility that comes with leading this outstanding organization,” Sanford said.
Metz comes to DLA Pacific from his most recent role as the deputy commander and chief of staff for Aviation at Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support in Philadelphia.
Addressing the command for the first time, Metz expressed his appreciation for the new responsibility. He acknowledged the high standard of excellence set by Brown and highlighted his eagerness to work with the DLA Pacific team to maintain and enhance the premier combat logistical support provided to U.S. forces operating across the Pacific theater.
“Admiral Nimitz knew sustainment wins wars and today, our DLA director, (Army) Lt. Gen. Mark Simerly captures this perfectly when he says, ‘You can’t be lethal without logistics.’ And so, together, that’s exactly what we will do: deliver lethality through our logistics,” Metz said.