BREMERTON, Washington - Capt. William “Bill” Barich relinquished command of Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center (NAVSUP FLC) Puget Sound to Capt. Taquina “Ty” Luster during a change of command ceremony at the Naval Undersea Museum in Keyport, Washington August 14.
Commander, Navy Region Northwest Rear Adm. Jonathan R. Townsend presided over the ceremony and presented Barich with the Legion of Merit.
“You strengthened our strategic posture, you enhanced our warfighting readiness, and you fostered a command climate of excellence and respect. You have left an indelible mark on this command and its people,” said Townsend.
During Barich’s tenure, the command saw significant milestones and process improvements in several areas, affecting personnel, fleet support, inventory management, and financial operations. He was quick to point out how the command’s effectiveness is due to the quality and hard work of its people.
“The FLC team is the best in the NAVSUP enterprise. They are a group driven by diverse talents, extreme dedication, and synergy. We have passed every inspection, every audit, and have driven policy with our headquarters. We have expanded on our services to support not only Region but our operational units,” said Barich. “This Command has hit above its weight class time and time again.”
Townsend praised Barich for his commitment to the people under his command. He noted several of NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound’s noteworthy accomplishments, including the Sailor training and mentorship program developed during Barich’s tenure, which drove a 13% increase in enlisted promotions resulting in the command earning the FY25 Golden Anchor award for retention. He said that Barich instilled in the command a culture of strict discipline, inventory tracking, and meticulous accountability protocols that led to NAVSUP FLC Puget sound achieving 100% existence and completeness compliance for two consecutive fiscal years—which, Townsend pointed out, is an incredible record of material and financial accountability.
“Under his leadership, FLC Puget Sound directed premier logistics support for critical deployments, maintenance periods, and high-visibility events such as Northern Edge and Seattle Fleet Week. His strategic oversight sustained operational readiness for numerous vessels, submarines, and aircraft squadrons across a wide area of operations. Because of this unwavering support, our forward-deployed forces remained fully equipped and ready to project power whenever and wherever needed,” said Townsend.
The ceremony also marked Barich’s retirement after 28 years of service as a Navy Supply Corps officer.
“I have had the distinct privilege these past three years to command an extraordinary organization of 268 military and civilian personnel dedicated to delivering global logistics support to our forces across the globe. Every single day, those 268 professionals moved mountains. They solved impossible supply chain puzzles, overcame global obstacles, and quietly worked miracles behind the scenes to make sure our Sailors and Marines had what they needed, when they needed it, no matter where they were on the globe,” said Barich.
Luster’s previous assignment was the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations for Fleet Readiness and Logistics (OPNAV N4) in Washington, D.C. where she served as Deputy, Audit Program Office. A native of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Luster brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound, having served a variety of operational tours including Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and Inherent Resolve, among other sea and shore assignments.
During Luster’s remarks she noted her long friendship with Barich and acknowledged his accomplishments while in command. She noted the command’s reputation for its tireless support of the warfighter, and paid tribute to the NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound workforce.
“Your reputation for superior performance precedes you. Make no mistake – you contribute daily to our military’s uncompromising defense of the homeland. You deliver the logistics and supply chain dominance that make these core priorities a reality,” said Luster. “I am incredibly excited to join this team and to continue the tradition of excellence that is the hallmark of this command.”
NAVSUP FLC Fleet Logistics Center Puget Sound is one of eight FLCs under Commander, NAVSUP.
Headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, NAVSUP employs a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel. NAVSUP and the Navy Supply Corps conduct and enable supply chain, acquisition, operational logistics and Sailor & family care activities with our mission partners to generate readiness and sustain naval forces worldwide to prevent and decisively win wars. Learn more at www.navsup.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/navsup and https://twitter.com/navsupsyscom.