Global bulk fuel management and delivery team awarded for excellence

A team from the Defense Logistics Agency Energy earned the 2023 U.S. Transportation Command Team Excellence Award for their significant contributions to the global bulk fuel delivery mission.

With TRANSCOM assuming a sixth mission as the Department of Defense's single manager for global bulk fuel management and delivery last year, its close partnership with the DLA has enabled critical efforts for multiple bulk fuel stakeholders and combatant commands in support of global operations.

"Partnering with DLA's capability and expertise, TRANSCOM will synchronize posture, planning, execution, and provide advocacy for capabilities and resources to meet the energy needs of the Joint Force in competition and conflict," said the TRANSCOM Commander Air Force Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost.

According to TRANSCOM, the changes to global bulk fuel delivery is aimed at improving resilience in a contested environment and near-peer conflict, and will improve how fuel is distributed, increasing deterrence and support during a crisis, while enhancing warfighting readiness.

For the past year, Air Force Col. Jared Gude has led the DLA Energy effort to help transition the fuel delivery role to TRANSCOM. The four-person team is embedded on site at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois working side by side with TRANSCOM experts.

"We provide the on-site representation for Energy to help integrate solutions for problems faced by the entire Joint Petroleum Enterprise," Gude said. "Our team's ability to foster a tight bond between DLA Energy and TRANSCOM is critical to ensure the Joint Petroleum Enterprise is optimized for decision-making, setting the global posture to support combatant commanders, and sustain warfighters at the place and time of need."

Gude attributes his team's accomplishments to the tireless efforts of people across DLA Energy.

"We are part of the larger DLA Energy organization which is an essential component of TRANSCOM's success," Gude said. "Our team is a direct result of the efforts of the entire DLA Energy team who support the warfighter and aids with future TRANSCOM initiatives."

Team Excellence awardee Jason Hayungs is a DLA Energy liaison to TRANSCOM. For Hayungs, providing top-notch subject matter expertise is a vital aspect of his team's operations for enhanced strategic operations planning and partnering efforts.

"We are the trusted leaders in innovative energy solutions and enable mission readiness by providing globally resilient energy solutions to the warfighter and whole of government," Hayungs said. "The collaboration between DLA partners, stakeholders, and Energy liaisons enables shared understanding of concerns and main efforts to support our partnership with TRANSCOM's Global Bulk Fuel Division. We're one team, supporting one fight to best provide services to our top customer; the warfighter."

​Cynthia Rodriquez is also a member of the award-winning team and is a DLA Energy logistics management specialist. She believes the team complements each other in experience and capitalizes on their collective strengths.

"Our team has established weekly synchs/ touchpoints with Energy subject matter experts across the Supplier Operations Directorate and Customer Operations Directorate to discuss Global Bulk Fuels lines of effort and TRANSCOM hot topics," Rodriquez said. "The process has created a platform that facilitates productive crosstalk."

Michael Sax is another Team Excellence awardee. The DLA Energy logistics management specialist felt strong leadership played a significant role in the team's success.

"Our team's effective collaborative environment and mission execution stems from the DLA Energy culture which fosters great leadership and team cohesion," Sax said. "The host of activities that brings DLA Energy's equities, experience, and knowledge to the table here at TRANSCOM has made positive strides to the entire Joint Petroleum Enterprise, our armed forces, partners and industry customers."

Gude's team collectively agree that the Team Excellence Award came as a welcomed surprise. They credit the Fort Belvoir DLA Energy team and the two-way lines of communication between DLA and TRANSCOM for the successful outcome of their mission execution.

As the TRANSCOM and DLA partnership endures, DLA Energy will continue its integrated material management responsibilities for procurement, transportation, storage, distribution, ownership, accountability, budgeting, quality assurance and surveillance, and infrastructure sustainment, restoration, and modernization efforts.

For more information about TRANSCOM's role as DoD's new global bulk fuel manager, visit the TRANSCOM newsroom webpage.