KADENA AIR BASE, Japan — The Defense Logistics Agency Energy reestablished a dedicated command leadership on Okinawa during a change of command ceremony at Camp Shields, Japan, Aug. 12, 2026, putting a commander on the island to oversee the fuel infrastructure that supports U.S. military operations across Okinawa and the Indo-Pacific.
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael McFadden assumed command of DLA Energy Pacific Okinawa, bringing decision-making closer to the people, infrastructure and operations responsible for keeping fuel moving across the island.
“Being here allows us to make decisions immediately when something is wrong,” said McFadden. “It also gives General Gallemore a chance to talk directly to a military member in uniform for issues or questions he’d like solved right away.”
The change follows a June 2025 consolidation that placed the Okinawa operation under DLA Energy Japan. Before the consolidation, the Okinawa team distributed more than 120 million gallons of aviation and maritime fuel, supporting more than 10,000 U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps sorties and 220 vessels.
DLA Energy Pacific Okinawa operates the Defense Logistics Agency’s only overseas Defense Fuel Support Point directly managed by the agency. The facility stores more than 50 million gallons of petroleum and uses offshore receiving systems and underwater pipelines to receive and distribute fuel across Okinawa.
That infrastructure is a critical link in the region’s military logistics network. Fuel enables aircraft to fly, ships to operate and vehicles to move, making reliable storage and distribution essential to maintaining military readiness and sustaining operations.
“The DLA provides critical support infrastructure to the 18th Wing to not only generate, but sustain combat power in support of the combatant commander’s needs,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. John Gallemore, 18th Wing commander. “Having this partnership between the 18th Wing, Team Kadena and DLA is absolutely instrumental and integral to our success in any type of operation.”
Dedicated leadership on Okinawa allows DLA Energy Pacific Okinawa to address local requirements more quickly while strengthening coordination with the 18th Wing, joint partners and other organizations that depend on the fuel network.
The result is a more responsive command structure supporting one of the most fundamental requirements of military operations: keeping fuel available when and where it is needed.