Personnel across Defense Logistics Agency, including 24 from DLA Distribution, were recently awarded the DLA Team Performance Award-Large Team Category award for their contributions to military and interagency response to national missions carried out from June 1, 2018, through May 31, 2019. Incidents during that time include a devastating tropical cyclone and demanding wildland fire season; ongoing requirements for the southwestern border mission and one of the most challenging operational years of defense support of civil authorities on record.
The citation that accompanies the award reads, “Their teamwork, competence and grit ensured life-saving and life-sustaining supplies reached American citizens in the hardest hit areas. Members left home, worked long hours and dedicated themselves to alleviating human suffering. Their significant contributions kept the highest tradition of service and reflect great credit upon themselves, the Department of Defense and the Defense Logistics Agency.”
In support of the border mission, DLA worked with Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs, Border Protection and other government agencies to deliver 102,218 rolls of concertina wire, 4,266 rolls of barbed wire, 175,621 pickets, 60 shipping containers, 85 tents, 6,691 items of personal protective equipment and 32,515 map products. The team also provided $4,088,689 in Class I supplies that included 21,985 cases of meals ready to eat and unitized group rations in support of Easter holiday meals. A total of 132,925 gallons of fuel was supplied by DLA to customers operating throughout Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and California. The material delivered during this period enabled construction of 201.37 miles of improvised fencing and reinforcement of 16 Points of Entry.
To support federal agency partners during the 2018 wildfire and hurricane season, DLA provided critical support to the U.S. Postal Service, filling 1,344 Contingency Operations Orders for 344 different items valued at $34 million. Hurricane-specific support provided by DLA included support to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations for Hurricanes Florence and Michael, which brought tremendous damage when they struck both the southeast and mid-Atlantic portions of the United States.
DLA Distribution personnel named in the award are Edward Buckelew, James Cook, Andrew Montiel, Timothy Vaughan, Dan Borba, Rudy Carreon, Margarita Rivera Juarez, Maj. Grant Thimsen, Nicholas Zulim, Oleg Arultynov, Takia Dawson, Brian Flynn, Joseph Frey, Brandon Wallace, Craig Beatty, Melissa Frey, Jason Getz, Thomas Henry, Ryan Hocker Fay Lambert, Capt. William Metzgar, Lt. Col. Karen Slaaltsgiver, Eugene Summers and Deb Young.