# Olmstead departs DLA Distribution Red River and Huertas takes command

/ Published June 17, 2021
NEW CUMEBRLAND, Pa., 
Puerto Rican native Army Lt. Col. Sonia I. Huertas took command of Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Red River, Texas, from outgoing commander Army Lt. Col. Seth M. Olmstead in a change of command ceremony June 18.

Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Keith Reventlow, commanding general, DLA Distribution Headquarters, presided over the ceremony.

“It is my honor to preside over today’s ceremony as we transition command of this tremendous organization and honor Lt. Col. Seth Olmstead for 25 years of service to the United States Army,” Brig. Gen. Reventlow said. “Sonia, you are joining an exceptional organization who are second to none and I look forward to seeing the new height you and the team will achieve over the next two years.”

Olmstead was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal for his outstanding achievements as DDRT commander from June 2019 to June 2021. He enhanced the capabilities of the organization through his engaged leadership and strategic vision of improvement. His initiatives and programs greatly contributed to the overall military community, the cultural environment of DLA Distribution Red River, Texas and the readiness of organization.

Huertas, replacing Olmstead at the helm of DDRT, is a graduate of the Transportation Officer Basic Course, the Combined Logistics Captain Career Course and the Army Command and General Staff College. She enlisted in the Army as a personnel specialist in 1999 and after reaching the rank of Sgt., she attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning Georgia. She then commissioned as a transportation officer in 2001.

After commissioning, Huertas joined the 109th Transportation Company, Manheim, Germany, where she served as a platoon leader. While there, she deployed with her platoon in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Later, she served as a movement control officer with the 1st Transportation Movement Control Agency until she was assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company as the company executive officer in March 2005.

Huertas deployed to Iraq again in 2006 as part of the 10th Mountain Division, 4th Mobile Transportation Regiment Military Transition Team Infantry Brigade Combat Team where she served as an advisor to the Iraqi Army while embedded with them. Huertas’ next assignment was with U.S. Army Central- Kuwait as a mobility officer responsible for container distribution in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. In June 2010, she commanded Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment 595th Transportation Terminal Group forward stationed in Kuwait. Subsequently, she held several staff positions to include project manager for the Joint Military Working Dog Quick Reaction Test, Afghanistan. In 2014, she served as the executive officer for the multi component Combat Service Support Battalion, 348 Regiment, 158th Infantry Brigade, Camp Blanding Florida, while simultaneously serving as an observer and controller. After serving as an executive officer, Huertas deployed to Kuwait as U.S. Central Command as the Deputy Future Operation Division and Senior Joint Operational Planning and Execution System analyst. After her deployment to Kuwait, she served as a branch chief in the Army RNational Guard G4, Temple Army National Guard Readiness Center, Arlington, Virginia, and later was assigned to the Department of the Army G-1 as part of the Talent Management Task Force.

After the assumption of command ceremony, Reventlow presided over a retirement ceremony to honor Olmstead’s 25 years of service.

“Seth’s impeccable leadership was unparalleled and set the true example of integrity, accountability and respect,” Reventlow said. He inspired his organization to continuously achieve DLA Distribution’s key performance indicators for receipts, stores and issues throughout the global pandemic, resulting in seamless support to the warfighter. What a way to cap a distinguished career!”