NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. –
Defense Logistics Agency Distribution leadership met with logistics support leadership from Spain at DLA Distribution headquarters, Oct. 13. The Spanish delegation was there to learn how DLA Distribution manages sustainment operations.
“Many of our facilities are co-located with the maintenance activity and our customers, resulting in a rapid turnaround of material to maintain readiness,” said Joe Faris, business development.
The Spanish military has made logistics and maintenance one of their top priority projects and the delegation had many questions for DLA Distribution leadership regarding how operations are done.
While laws and structure between the two nations are different, the core concepts of logistics and readiness remain similar, and the Spanish delegation was eager to learn every aspect.
The current plan that Spain is striving for is to bring all the maintenance to a singular point, a massive logistics hub. In comparison, DLA Distribution has warehousing facilities co-located nearby the maintenance activity and customers, working closely with U.S. Transportation Command to move material to where it’s needed.
After receiving a briefing on the overview of DLA Distribution, the Spanish delegation received a tour of the Eastern Distribution Center at DLA Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, to see how the physical day to day operation is conducted. In addition, the delegation was briefed on the ongoing modernization project.
The Spanish delegation is seeking to setup some form of a liaison with DLA Distribution. Leadership at DLA Distribution is welcome to the idea and is working closely through the appropriate channels to make sure that any liaison is placed in the best setting for learning, and on a timetable that aligns with intentions of all considered stake holders.
Despite differences in challenges faced, the mutual exchange of knowledge from logistics and outcomes has the potential to enhance the capabilities DLA Distribution can provide to the warfighter and our allies.