DLA Energy Europe & Africa hosted 13 partner nations and nearly 90 

representatives for the 17th annual DLA Energy Fuels Exchange Agreements 

Forum in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, Sept. 20-22.

Civilian and military personnel from Romania, Belgium, United Kingdom, France, 

Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Poland, Spain, Italy, and 

Ghana gathered in person. This year it was Ghana’s first time attending the forum. 

DLA Energy Europe & Africa Commander Army LTC Benverren Fortune, the event 

planner DLA Energy Europe & Africa International Agreements Chief Gerald 

Candelaria and their team put together what was the largest gathering in 17 

years. Personnel from DLA Finance Energy in San Antonio, Texas, also attended. 

“We gathered to discuss capabilities and challenges, reconcile financial 

transactions, and develop partnerships, while gaining a deeper understanding 

of how DLA Energy provides services to the warfighter,” LTC Fortune said. “This 

forum assisted DLA Energy Finance to reconcile over $40 million in unsettled 

invoices, as well as, allowed DLA Energy E&A International Agreements to sign 

three ACSA orders and mutually expedite processes with partner nations.”

DLA Finance Energy Retail Management Division Chief Patricia Canales, 

Retail Support Branch Chief Steven Bocock and Retail Fuel Specialist Alma 

Borrego attended the forum to discuss financial settlements. They met with 

representatives from Poland, Romania, Czech Republic, Norway, France, Italian 

Navy, Spanish Armada, German Ministry of Defense and Belgium MOD.

“One of the most beneficial accomplishments during the forum was the 

opportunity to sign settlements face-to-face and build relationships in person,” 

Mrs. Canales said. 

LTC Fortune added that this year’s event would not have been possible without 

Mr. Candelaria’s hard work and dedication. 

“He envisioned it and exceeded that vision,” LTC Fortune said.

Mr. Candelaria worked hard to conduct extensive outreach with over 120 foreign 

partners to include not only those countries with an established DLA Energy 

relationship but also those countries who may benefit from our partnership. 

“These fuel agreements are essential elements not only during routine and 

emerging operations but also during international exercises like RIMPAC, Vigilant 

Shield, and the Defender Exercises in Europe,” Mr. Candelaria said. “They help 

build supply chain efficiency, enhance interoperability, and strengthen long-term 

collaboration with partners around the world.”

Mr. Candelaria credits his team for the event’s success. 

“It’s an all-hands evolution: from running the slide decks, arranging base access, 

coordinating room reservations, arranging seating with name tags and name 

tents to simply making all our partners feel welcome,” Mr. Candelaria said. “I am 

proud of what we accomplished and the future coordination that will result.”

Click to read more about DLA Energy’s international partnerships

DLA Energy Fuels Exchange Agreements Forum

ENERGY CONNECTION

 Happy Fall everyone! Like the weather, 

the leaves are changing indicating winter 

is on its way. The Fall is also the midpoint of 

our DPMAP cycle, an important milestone 

for progress reviews. This is a time for you 

to reflect on your professional growth and 

performance. It is important to objectively 

document both your successes and areas for 

improvement. You can find helpful resources 

on the DLA DPMAP webpage.

 I’ve recently returned from a visit to meet 

with suppliers, customers and international 

partners in Europe. Thank you to the DLA 

Energy Europe & Africa team for planning and 

executing all the travel and engagements. 

Particularly, my heartfelt appreciation goes 

to LTC Fortune and Maj Alefosio for their 

outstanding efforts. Special shout out to Mr. 

Gerald Candeleria for raising the bar on the 

Fuels Exchange Agreements Forum.

 Speaking of kudos, thank you Task Force 

Americas for quickly responding to Hurricane 

Ian! As always, you surpass expectations and 

truly embrace the Support to the Nation and 

Trusted Mission Partner lines of effort in the 

Strategic Plan. Our support to civil authorities 

is an important mission and one you take to 

heart. Thank you!

 The Fall is also a time to kick off the annual 

CFC fundraising efforts. CFC is the world’s 

largest and most successful annual workplace 

charity campaign with funds supporting 

eligible non-profit organizations that provide 

health and human service benefits throughout 

the world. Learn more on OPM’s CFC website. 

 October is National Disability Employment 

Awareness Month. This year’s theme is, 

“Disability: Part of the Equity Equation,” which 

reminds us of the importance of incorporating 

all members of our teams and ensuring 

everyone has a voice to serve. Let’s embrace 

everyone’s differences as a valued part of our 

equity equation.

A MESSAGE FROM 

THE COMMANDER 

Brig Gen 

Jimmy Canlas

HQC/NCR COVID-19 Status: HPCON A

HQC Occupancy limited to <100%, social distancing highly recommended. 

Conference room normal seating restored.

Volume 2, Issue 18 October 11, 2022

Core Values: Leadership, Professionalism & Technical Knowledge through Dedication to Duty, Integrity, Ethics, Honor, Courage & Loyalty
Mark your calendars!

Congratulations to the DLA Energy contracting officers for 

completing an eight month long mentoring program cycle and for 

those who joined elite HCA Professional Development Circle of 

Excellence! Read more in this DLA news story.

Oct. 10: Supervisory Committee meeting, 8:30am

Oct. 11: Advisory and Integration Council meeting, 8am

Oct. 18: Training Committee meeting, 11am

Oct. 18: Lunch and Learn via MS Teams, ”Well-Being For A Healthier 

Body and Mind.” 

*To join the committee and council meetings, contact DLAEnergyCAG@dla.mil.

When fuel services stopped at DFSP Red Hill in December 2021, 

a team of DLA Energy experts jumped in to ensure uninterrupted 

fuel support to Hickman Air Force Base to avoid curtailing of flights 

and missions. The team members worked continuously across 

seven weeks (including weekends and two federal holidays) to 

accommodate this unforeseen and urgent need.

The team efficiently formalized the government’s requirements, 

executed justification to expedite the procurement, resolved offeror 

exceptions, negotiated a savings of $2.9M, and vetted awardee 

capabilities to ensure a timely and best value solution. The award was 

made within 52 days of receipt of the requirements package, which 

exceeded standard operating procedures by 153 days (or 74%).

Air Force Maj Jerry Alefosio 

Maj Alefosio meticulously executed the DLA Energy 

Commander’s visit to the Europe & Africa region. 

He coordinated several key engagements in the 

United Kingdom, Greece, Italy, and Germany with 

about 4,300 miles of travel,ending the extensive 

visit at the Fuels Exchange Agreement Forum. 

With increased operations in the USEUCOM AOR, fuel requirements 

are at the highest levels in over 30 years. An integral part of the 

Customers Operations Division, Maj Alefosio coordinates daily with 

multiple services to ensure their non-cap requirements are met. 

DLA Energy Europe & Africa Energizer of the Month

Way to go Task Force Americas! 

In preparation 

for Hurricane 

Ian response 

operations, a TFA 

advance team 

arrived at Warner 

Robbins Air Force 

Base, Georgia, to 

support FEMA. 

DLA Fuel Contingency Contracts were activated with over 70,000 

gallons of diesel, 40,000 gallons of gasoline & 18,000 pounds of 

propane staged at Incident Support Base Warner Robbins. Read more 

in this DLA news story.

JOB WELL DONE!

Left to right: Brig Gen Canlas, Melissa Roth, Rich Rines, Bruce DeSoto, Micherie Dougherty, 

Gabby Earhardt, Shedric Crump, Kirk Gamblin, Shane Banks, and Mr. Kless.