FORT BELVOIR, Va. –
The Defense Logistics Agency Energy Korea welcomed a new commander during a change of command ceremony at Camp Walker, Daegu, June 18.
Army Lt. Col. Dennis Han relinquished command to Army Lt. Col. Jeremia Van as friends, family, and colleagues traveled from near and far to take part in this momentous occasion.
“To have been selected for command and now having completed my tenure has been a true honor and privilege,” Han said. “When the Warfighter called, we responded and supported the Joint Services with a no-fail commodity that directly enabled the Warfighters.”
For Han, he and his staff were entrusted with an important mission in Korea. “The service components rely on our bulk fuels expertise and ability to supply, manage, and distribute bulk petroleum products across the peninsula that directly contributes to operational readiness in armistice and wartime conditions.”
Han expressed gratitude for his staff’s role in the success of his command.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better group of technical experts and professionals who go out of their way every day to ensure that ‘Fight Tonight’ and ‘Warfighter Always’ is not just a mantra, but a reality,” he said. “Thank you for giving me the command experience of a lifetime.”
Han said he’s certain Van is the right leader for theater command and has no doubt that she will build upon the successes of the organization and take DLA Energy Korea to greater heights.
Han received the Defense Meritorious Service Medal for his service from June 2022 to June 2024. He led a joint logistics formation comprised of Soldiers, Airmen, DOD civilians and Korean National employees in a combined joint environment in support of United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command and United States Forces Korea while forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility.
Han’s next assignment is the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, Fort McNair, District of Columbia.
Van received her commission thru the Jackson State University Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps program in 2006. She joins the DLA Energy team from The United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, where she served as a Military Science and Training Instructor.
Van reflects on her selection for command.
“Being selected for battalion command is a significant milestone in my military career,” she said. “It’s a testament of recognition to leadership, competence, and the potential to influence an organization and culture. I feel a mix of pride, responsibility, and anticipation, knowing that I will impact the lives of Soldiers, Airmen, and civilians while achieving the unit's mission success.”
Van said her prior training and petroleum courses has armed her for this role as the DLA Energy Korea commander.
“As I embark on this journey, I aspire to sustain advancements and the presence of my organization on the Korean peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific Region,” she said.
“Continued support to my team and their families in conjunction with unit readiness, cultural excellence and innovation, cohesion and morale, effective communication, promotion of equity, diversity and inclusion, and personal growth as a leader are additional goals that’ll guide my efforts to ensure my team is well-prepared to meet any challenges while providing world-class support to the Warfighter,” Van added.
DLA Energy Korea consist of a robust workforce, operating under the Nation’s Combat Logistics Support Agency, and responsible for providing bulk petroleum supply, distribution and quality management for U.S. Forces in the Republic of Korea that supports energy-related missions.
DLA Energy regions include DLA Energy Americas in Texas; DLA Energy Europe & Africa in Germany; DLA Energy East Pacific in Hawaii; DLA Energy South-West Pacific in Guam; DLA Energy Okinawa; DLA Energy Japan and DLA Energy Korea.