JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- U.S. Army Support Activity Fort Dix bid farewell to U.S. Army Col. Bryan Dunker, outgoing commander, and welcomed U.S. Army Col. Clay Huffman, incoming commander, during a change of command ceremony at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., July 29, 2026.
The ceremony marked the formal transfer of leadership from Dunker to Huffman, while reaffirming the garrison’s commitment to supporting warfighters, mission partners and stakeholders across USASA Fort Dix and JB MDL.
“We salute an outstanding garrison commander, Colonel Bryan Dunker, and his family,” said Patrick Appelman, U.S. Army Installation Management Command - Western Hemisphere director, who served as the ceremony’s reviewing official. “You and your team, day in and day out, provided exceptional services to ensure Soldiers and civilians are well cared for while they serve our country.”
Dunker assumed command of USASA Fort Dix in July 2024. During his tenure, he championed more than $23 million in projects that expanded and improved 35,000 acres of training land, resulting in a nearly 40% increase in training throughput annually. He also strengthened partnerships with joint and interagency leaders, which Appelman said was critical during high-stakes mobilization exercises.
“You focused your efforts on the heart and soul of the garrison, always putting Soldiers, civilians and families first,” Appelman said.
During the invocation, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Richard Schultz, USASA Fort Dix garrison chaplain, commended Dunker for his passion, excellence and perseverance.
“He has been a constant example of determination, grit and selfless service,” said Schultz. “Under Colonel Dunker’s watch, we have been kept safe.”
Reflecting on his time in command, Dunker said serving and leading at USASA Fort Dix and JB MDL was the “greatest honor” of his career.
“The mission of building readiness and lethality for our U.S. joint forces was always my end point,” Dunker said. “But above all, I will cherish the memories of serving alongside all of you.”
In addition to his role as commander of USASA Fort Dix, Dunker also served as a deputy commander of JB MDL, a role Huffman will likewise continue in. As home to units from all five military services, JB MDL provides a uniquely joint operating environment, which Dunker said is one of the installation’s greatest strengths.
“We truly are America’s premier joint warfighting base, and we prove that in every operation and exercise,” Dunker said. “We know we are stronger together, and we know we are unstoppable when we hold the line together.”
Dunker offered words of encouragement to the new commander.
“Team Huffman, you are joining a top-tiered team of teams,” Dunker said. “Carry the torch onto new horizons.”
As Dunker transitions to his new position as executive officer to the Chief of the U.S. Army Reserve, Huffman arrives from his previous assignment as the Commander’s Action Group director at U.S. Africa Command.
“I look forward to pressing ahead and doing the best we possibly can here at ASA Fort Dix and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst,” Huffman said.
Huffman, a Fremont, Ohio native, was commissioned into the U.S. Army Military Intelligence Corps in 2004, after graduating as a Distinguished Military Graduate from Clemson University.
Throughout his 22-year military career, Huffman has served in numerous leadership positions at the tactical, operational and strategic levels of all three components of the Army: active duty, National Guard, and Army Reserve.