Cementing its role as the leading provider of global distribution support to America's military and other federal agencies, DLA Distribution has once again placed its support at the tip of the spear.
Setting up shop at the only enduring U.S. military base in Africa, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti (CLDJ), DLA Distribution officially opened the Agency’s first storage and distribution capability on the continent of Africa September 30.
A response to a request from Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) of the U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM), the distribution center not only supports units on base at CLDJ, but also fulfills a critical requirement for storage and distribution of supplies to forces throughout the Horn of Africa, Gulf of Aden, and Red Sea.
No stranger to accommodating daunting customer requests, DLA Distribution followed its tried and true pattern for executing quick standups, expeditiously yet systematically relocating the supplies, technology and manpower required to run the site over the course of only 18 months.
Why Djibouti?
The CJTF-HOA was stood up by USAFRICOM in 2002 following the September 11 terror attacks with the goal of conducting stability operations in the Horn of Africa.
Djibouti presented itself as a stable area out of which to conduct operations in an otherwise volatile area of the globe.
However, the need for an exponential growth in forces to combat Islamic extremists and other militants in the area and protect U.S. interests in Africa has seen the base’s population rise rapidly over the past decade, while the footprint of the base itself has multiplied nearly 500%. Its access to the Suez Canal, a major shipping route, and close proximity to volatile countries in Africa and the Middle East have increased its strategic importance to the region.
Additionally, due in part to U.S. military investment in the country, Djibouti’s government and economy have responded favorably, with GDP steadily increasing since 2010, making it beneficial for the country to continue to serve as an enduring base out of which the U.S. military and other federal agencies can operate in the AOR.
According to the U.S. Ambassador to Djibouti, The Honorable Thomas Kelly, “Djibouti is a key U.S. partner in security, regional stability, and humanitarian efforts across the region."
USAFRICOM determined a solution necessary to manage growing supply and distribution issues in the area, preferably by leveraging its long-term partnership with DLA.
“The fact is that the strategic logistics flow in the AFRICOM AOR needed to become more efficient, especially with the increasing buildup of troops and other government organizations in the area. There was an inherent need for DLA to manage critical inventory on site, so that these units could focus on what they’re there for, and not worry about when and how materiel was arriving,” said DLA Distribution commanding general Army Brig. Gen. John Laskodi.
The distribution center is the first DLA Distribution enduring presence on the continent of Africa and a shift in U.S. Africa Command’s logistics priorities from solely expeditionary logistics to an enduring commitment at the national, strategic level, added Laskodi.
In addition, “this new node in our military supply chain will allow a full range of units from all services performing missions in the East Africa Joint Operations Area to stay in supply,” said U.S. Navy Captain Edward Moninger, III, CJTF-HOA director of Logistics.
“Local parts and material availability will not only save money, but it will increase readiness and overall mission effectiveness,” Moninger concluded.
Opening a distribution center in 18 months
In August 2015, A USAFRICOM J4-led tiger team was assembled with a goal of identifying and developing a recommended way ahead for supply, distribution, and customs issues at both CLDJ and a nearby airfield with the intent to streamline theater distribution.
The team consisted of 17 personnel representing USAFRICOM, Army Materiel Command, Defense Logistics Agency, Fleet Logistics Center –Sigonella, CJTF-HOA, General Services Agency, the Logistics Civilian Augmentation Program, and the Service Components.
After an initial site visit to CLDJ, the team determined there was indeed a need and a way ahead for DLA Distribution to provide joint storage and distribution operations on base.
As a result, the team recommended DLA Distribution develop a plan encompassing the standup of a Theater Consolidation Shipping Point, the assumption of retail operations at CLDJ, and the stand up of a Material Processing Center at the Port of Djibouti in support of U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet.
In a December 2015 memorandum to DLA Director Air Force Lt. Gen. Andy Busch, former AFRICOM director for logistics Air Force Maj. Gen. James Vechery officially asked for DLA’s assistance to CJTF-HOA, requesting “a distribution capability analysis that provides an effective and efficient joint solution to manage materiel receiving, storage, and distribution operations to Camp Lemonnier, another nearby airfield [and] Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa...”
Vechery concluded that “Through DLA’s institutional knowledge, we expect that overall supply chain management and readiness rates will improve.”
In the requested analysis, DLA Distribution determined that it would bulk ship materiel to CLDJ via the United States Transportation Command, and, upon arrival, employees would break down shipments and ultimately either forward items on to the local recipient or stock the materiel for future use by forces in the area.
By forward stocking over 700 National Stock Numbers, the analysis projected to reduce customer wait times from 37 to 9 days for stocked items and generate approximately $2.75 million in transportation savings annually.
In response to the Army’s request that the site track Army-owned items through its own system, Global Combat Support System–Army, DLA Distribution agreed, determining employees would train on and operate the Army system as well as Distribution Standard System, the main warehousing system used to manage DLA-owned items, enabling Army to maintain visibility of its stock.
It also stated that the organization would set up a MPC capability at the Port of Djibouti to receive, segregate and stage material until ships arrive for air and surface, delivering material pier side with prepared customs clearance documentation, just as the organization does at several other of its MPCs.
In response to the analysis, on March 10, 2016, Vechery and Busch officially approved the establishment of DLA Distribution Djibouti, Africa.
After the approval, DLA Distribution faced the task of procuring storage aids and Materiel Handling Equipment and determining the appropriate technology, training, and inventory for the location. Additionally, employees need to be hired and transportation assets needed to be secured.
Over the course of four months, DLA Distribution set about creating its Planned Stockage List and shipping those items from its sites in Sigonella, Italy, and Susquehanna, Pa., to ensure the materiel’s arrival by late August. Meanwhile, Camp Lemonnier began relocating items previously stored in the warehouse DLA Distribution was preparing to occupy, so that Distribution employees could ready for incoming stock.
In cooperation with the “Djibouti First” initiative, a procurement policy that seeks to give preference to Djiboutian companies when awarding goods and services contracts for CLDJ, a contract was put in place to hire 17 local nationals to operate the distribution capability alongside four U.S. government employees. The intent of the hiring action was to ensure DLA gives back to the local economy and continues to foster stability between nations.
Official opening on September 30
To symbolize the official opening of the distribution center, logistics customers and partners gathered at the site on September 30 in a show of support.
Laskodi led the cutting of a ribbon during the unveiling, alongside Kelly; Navy Rear Adm. Trey Wheeler, deputy commander, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa; Paul Brown, AFRICOM deputy director for logistics; Navy Capt. James Black, Camp Lemonnier commanding officer; Navy Capt. Christopher Parker, Naval Supply Systems Command, Fleet Logistics Center, Sigonella; Army Col. Elizabeth Delbridge-Keough, DLA Europe and Africa commander; and Navy Cmdr. Pamela Dozier, DLA Distribution Sigonella, Italy, commander.
During his remarks, Laskodi announced he anticipates the operation will have a “very significant impact in the future of support to the forces in the Africa Command area of responsibility.”
Brown added to the sentiment, saying “This is a joint solution to a joint force.”
While the site currently only maintains DLA wholesale Items Army-owned stock, it is prepared to expand support at customers’ request. The plan is to analyze the demand signals into the facility, and match stock to the demand.
In the meantime, the site will efficiently and effectively support CJTF-HOA as a joint solution, ensuring customers can execute theater campaign plans in the area while realizing reduced costs and wait time.
“The opening of this distribution center represents an extremely significant commitment to regional security and a demonstration of U.S. national resolve,” said Laskodi.