DDAA conducts change of command Harney passes torch to Gagnon by Miranda Myrick, PAO A change of command ceremony for the Defense Distribution Depot Anniston, or DDAA, was held at 10 a.m. July 24 at the depot\'s Physical Fitness Center. DDAA, a tenant activity here, is part of the Defense Logistics Agency and provides distribution services for combat weapon systems, small arms weapons and missile systems for all services. However, DDAA's chief mission is to support the maintenance mission of Anniston Army Depot. With the completion of his two-year tour, DDAA Commander Lt. Col. Robert Harney relinquished command to Lt. Col. Robert Gagnon, who recently served in Afghanistan as the deputy commander for the 10th Joint Logistics Command Combined Joint Task Force 76. "I look forward to joining the Anniston team in its mission to support the American warfighter," said Gagnon. "I thank Rick (Harney) for setting me up for success with the accomplishments he has had here." Harney is slated to be the next chief of staff for the Quartermaster General at the U.S. Quartermaster Center and School at Fort Lee, Va. "Two years ago, I began this journey with a simple vision to leave DDAA a better place from which I found it and to accomplish this vision through our people," said Harney. "I not only feel we accomplished what we set out to do, but also our support to ANAD, our external customers, and ultimately the warfighter have become second to none." Significant accomplishments under Harney's command include: reaching all semi-annual sample inventory goals-a first for DDAA, receiving recognition as "Best Medium Distribution Center" for safety program excellence, and achieving the highest employee climate and culture satisfaction improvement rate of any organization within the DLA. Harney also established a branch for inventory management, instituted various process improvement events, and improved customer support relationships with ANAD contractors like Raytheon and BAE Systems. "My command tenure with DDAA has been a very exciting and rewarding experience," he said. Defense Distribution Center Commander Brig. Gen. Lynn Collyar officiated the change of command before more than 300 federal workers and family members as he passed the organization colors from Harney to Gagnon. Collyar praised Harney for his many successes, not only in managing an inventory worth more than $7 billion with a budget of $23 million, but for improving the command climate at DDAA. "DDAA is a great group of hardworking professionals," said Collyar. "They make sure that the right parts get to the right people and place at the right time so the warfighters get the right equipment that protects them on a daily basis." And the brigadier general said Gagnon was the right person to be given the opportunity to further enhance DDAA's role in delivering world-class support to the warfighter. "He (Gagnon) is entrusted to lead a great team of men and women," said Collyar.
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