The number two general at the U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) for the past few years, Lt. Gen. Gary H. Hughey, deputy commander, was honored Nov. 18 at his retirement ceremony at Scott Air Force Base, Ill.Hughey was joined center stage by his wife, Heidi, and daughter Shannon and by Air Force Gen. John W. Handy, commander, TRANSCOM, who presided over the ceremony.
SIU President Michael Sacco and SIU Vice President Contracts Augie Tellez represented the SIU at the event.
“General Hughey has been a great friend to the U.S. Merchant Marine,” Sacco stated. “I know I speak for our entire union when I say that we respect him immensely and we will miss his presence at TRANSCOM.
“At the same time, we congratulate his successor, and we look forward to working together to help further ensure that U.S. mariners on U.S.-flag ships continue to serve America’s national and economic security.”
Hughey’s official retirement date is Jan. 1, 2005—at which time he will have completed 36 years, 9 months and 18 days of cumulative service to the Marine Corps and a grateful nation, leaving behind a legacy of visionary leadership and logistical innovations.
Defense officials recently confirmed Maj. Gen. Robert T. Dail’s appointment to the rank of Lt. Gen. with assignment as Deputy Commander, U.S. Transportation Command. Dail was promoted and assumed his new duties late last year.
During Hughey’s retirement ceremony, in front of an audience of friends and family, the majority wearing multi-colored uniforms from each of the military services, Handy presented Hughey the Defense Distinguished Service Medal.
The narrator, Navy Capt. Nan Honey, described Hughey’s impact and contributions while reading from the award citation: “During his [Hughey’s] tenure, the command [TRANSCOM] flawlessly supported Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, transporting over 1.5 million passengers, over 4 million short tons of cargo, while concurrently supporting numerous high-visibility operations, peacekeeping efforts around the world, emergency response to the Space Shuttle disaster, Super Typhoon Pongsona, Iranian earthquake relief, the California wildfires, and hurricanes Charley, Frances, Jeanne and Ivan, as well as support to the National Science Foundation in Antarctica.”
In a news release about the ceremony, the agency pointed out that Hughey’s leadership at TRANSCOM “came during a pivotal era for military logistics. Hughey has been instrumental in USTRANSCOM’s role as the Distribution Process Owner for the Defense Department. He championed the first-ever joint service distribution command and control entity to integrate, prioritize cargo, and provide end-to-end in-transit visibility of military cargo. This concept has already avoided more than $268 million by shifting lift assets from air to sea.”
The agency noted that Dail, an Army Transportation Corps officer, has commanded and led logistics units at every level, with service in mechanized, airborne and special operations organizations.
Since August 2003, he has served as the Director of Operations, J3, at TRANSCOM. In this capacity, Dail oversaw efforts to manage and synchronize the aircraft, ships, trains and trucks that allow America to project power and sustain forces worldwide.
During Dail’s tenure, the command conducted the largest rotation of military personnel and assets since World War II.
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