Air Force Brig. Gen. Mark McLeod relinquished command of Defense Logistics Agency Energy to Air Force Brig. Gen. Martin Chapin during a change of command ceremony at the McNamara Headquarters Complex, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, July 22.
The ceremony was officiated by Air Force Lt. Gen. Andy Busch, DLA director.
“Our top priority is support to the warfighter, and truly under [McLeod’s] leadership, DLA Energy has strengthened the voice of the warfighter,” Busch said.
For example, in U.S. Central Command, the organization has been able to go operational in the defense fuel support point in Salalah, Oman, which gives NAVCENT the opportunity to resupply its ships outside the Arabian Gulf, he said.
“This is a key strategic initiative,” Busch added.
McLeod began his duty as the commander of the primary-level field activity July 23, 2014. A retirement ceremony was held for him at the headquarters complex June 16, but his official retirement date is Nov. 1, which will end his 30 years of military service.
McLeod took time during his speech to thank the senior leaders such as Air Force Col. Todd Cheney, Customer Operations director; Gabby Earhardt, Supplier Operations director and Darcy Hall,
Manpower & Workforce Analysis director, for helping him during his tenure in making DLA Energy a success.
“Good [leaders] have a supporting cast,” McLeod said. “[Employees] gave me a different perspective of what it means to be a leader … So today, I walk out of here a much better person – the kind of person I’ve always strived to be in my life.”
During the ceremony, the organizational colors changed hands signifying the transfer of total responsibility, authority and accountability from McLeod to Chapin.
Chapin is coming to DLA Energy after serving as the U.S. Transportation Command Operations and Plans deputy director at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.
“It’s an important day for the organization,” Chapin said.
There was no shortage of officers qualified to do the job he’s been asked to do, so he is thankful to have been given the opportunity to lead DLA Energy, Chapin said.
“I can’t tell you what lies ahead – I’m sure there are challenges I can’t imagine yet, but what I can tell you is you will have 100 percent from day one to the day I’m back on the stage,” he added.
Chapin’s prior assignments include executive officer to the commander of the 375th Airlift Wing at Scott Air Force Base; C-21 instructor pilot and assistant operations officer at the 458th Airlift Squadron at Scott Air Force Base and a C-5 pilot and chief executive officer of the 21st Airlift Squadron at Travis Air Force Base, California.
As the DLA Energy commander, Chapin will be responsible for providing the Department of Defense and other government agencies with comprehensive energy solutions in the most effective and efficient manner possible.