Change of command at DLA Distribution Susquehanna

Leadership of Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, changed hands June 25 as Navy Capt. Andy Henwood relinquished command to Army Col. Christopher Urynowicz during a ceremony at Defense Distribution Center Susquehanna. The event was presided over by Army Brig. Gen. Kevin Cotman, commanding general of DLA Distribution.

During the ceremony, Cotman lauded the workforce’s impact on deployed forces. “What happens here on the banks of the Susquehanna River is felt thousands of miles away by men and women you will never meet – sailors at sea, soldiers in the field, airmen on the flightline, Marines forward deployed and guardians operating around the globe,” Cotman said.

He also highlighted the organization’s enduring strength beyond any single commander. “Great organizations are not defined by a single leader,” Cotman said. “They are defined by the people, the standards and the culture that endure through transition. For decades, generations of leaders and logisticians have passed through these gates. Each strived to leave this organization stronger than they found it.”

In farewell remarks, Henwood underscored the installation’s role in sustaining forces worldwide. “DLA Distribution Susquehanna is more than just the largest distribution center in the Department of War. It is more than just a pillar of the Defense Logistics Agency. This command, this team, is the bedrock of global military readiness,” Henwood said. “Every box you pick, every pallet you pack, every truck you load is a lifeline. It’s a critical rotor blade for a helicopter in the Pacific; it’s a life-saving medical supply kit for a corpsman in Europe; it’s the meal that sustains a soldier thousands of miles from home. Never lose sight of that. What you do here matters in ways you can’t even imagine. Our warfighters are successful because you are dedicated. They are lethal because you are precise. They are ready because you are ready.”

Henwood thanked the civilians and service members who power the operation. “It has been the greatest honor and the most rewarding tour of my professional life to serve as your commander,” Henwood said. “This team is defined by a patriotism, a work ethic and a character that is second to none. Thank you for your trust, thank you for your hard work and thank you for the privilege of leading you. I leave here knowing, without a doubt, that DLA Distribution Susquehanna is in the best possible hands: yours. You are stronger, more resilient, and more prepared for the future than ever before.”

As he welcomed the incoming commander, Cotman voiced confidence in the path ahead. “The next two years will bring challenges and opportunities that no one can fully predict. But I know you will lead this team through them with dignity, respect and honor,” Cotman stated.

Urynowicz, addressing the workforce for the first time, emphasized his commitment to the mission and the team. “We have a lot of work ahead of us, but there is no team in the Department of War I would rather be stepping into the arena with,” Urynowicz said. “To the men and women of DLA Distribution Susquehanna, please know that you were my number one choice of assignment. I asked to come here, first and above all others, because of your reputation and the challenge of the nation’s work we are asked to do here. I look forward to working shoulder-to-shoulder with you as we continue to set the global standard for logistics excellence.”

According to DLA, Urynowicz, a Boonville, New York, native, was commissioned as a U.S. Marine Corps second lieutenant in 2001 before transitioning to the U.S. Army. His career includes multiple deployments to Kuwait, Afghanistan, and in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. He has served as an operations and logistics officer, a company commander with the 10th Mountain Division, and brigade S-4 for the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

His recent assignments include duty at the Pentagon with the Department of the Army Inspector General’s Assistance Division; military deputy for the Army Customer Operations Division at DLA Weapons Support (formerly DLA Aviation); and most recently 10th Mountain Division G-4 and G-5. He is a U.S. Army War College graduate and holds a master’s degree in transportation policy, operations, and logistics from George Mason University. His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal with a silver oak leaf cluster.