Army Lt. Col. Martinez Assumes Command of DLA Energy Middle East in Kaiserslautern Ceremony
In the quiet glow of the KMC Onstage Theatre on Kleber Kaserne in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Army Lieutenant Colonel Juan G. Martinez formally took command of the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Energy Middle East on 8 June 2026. The ceremony was presided over by Navy Rear Admiral George Bresnihan, DLA Energy’s commander, who lauded the outgoing leader’s stewardship and the unit’s resilience amid a backdrop of heightened regional volatility.
Rear Admiral Bresnihan recounted the challenges faced during Lt. Col. Eunseok “Sam” Yoo’s one‑year tenure. He guided a 52‑person joint team that managed a $3.42 billion portfolio, synchronized bulk fuel sustainment across 14 countries, and supported U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) operations such as Spartan Shield and Inherent Resolve. Under Yoo, the team delivered more than 222.8 million gallons of fuel via oceanic tankers and major pipeline pushes to strategic nodes.
During the same period, the organization maintained uninterrupted support to engaged warfighters despite more than 400 incoming missile threat warnings. Yoo’s continuity‑of‑operations plan evacuated more than 120 personnel and family members to safer locations without compromising the theater’s fuel supply chain. He also pioneered the first operational refueling capability in the Red Sea, secured a $2.1 million fuel‑support contract for the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent, and reconciled over $20.4 million in aged debt with partner nations.
In his remarks, Martinez expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the unit. He cited his 28‑year Army career, multiple deployments to the CENTCOM area of operations, and experience as a fuel and water platoon leader during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Martinez said, “It is a tremendous privilege to join and lead DLA Energy Middle East supporting the joint force, allied forces, DLA and its partners while continuing the great work of Lt. Col. Yoo and the team delivering bulk products in any environment.”
The DLA Energy Middle East traces its roots to World War II, when it was established as the Office of Inspectors of Navy Petroleum Products Middle East. It became the Defense Fuel Region – Middle East in 1993 and adopted its current name in 2010. The unit’s mission is to provide resilient energy solutions to the War Department and foreign partners throughout the CENTCOM area of responsibility, enabling combatant command‑directed operations by delivering comprehensive fuel management to U.S. forces, allies, and partners.
Following the ceremony, Lt. Col. Yoo will serve at the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans, and Training at the Pentagon. The transition underscores the importance of reliable fuel logistics in sustaining U.S. military operations across a volatile region. With Martinez’s appointment, the DLA Energy Middle East is positioned to continue its critical role in ensuring that U.S. and allied forces maintain the energy required to project power and support stability in the Middle East.
