NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. –
What many may already know of Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Expeditionary is that it was originally developed to address humanitarian and disaster relief support. The capability was further expanded due to sustainment bottlenecks experienced in Iraq and Afghanistan, and to assist other executive agencies during contingency operations.
The DDXX capability is rapidly deployable anywhere in the world to provide theater distribution and warehousing. It has also played a major role in deploying within hours in direct support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, operating multiple incident support bases during hurricanes.
When DDXX team members are hired on, they are not signing on for the usual eight hour a day, five days a week job. Nor are they signing up as a general distribution process worker, materiel examiner identifier, supply systems analysis or transportation assistant to name a few of the 13 skill sets.
The DDXX team members are signing on to be deployed within a 24 to 48 hour notice anywhere in the world. When they arrive on site, it’s a “all hands on deck” operation to offload equipment and supplies, set up air beam structures, living quarters, office tents, power generation and light sets. A few will rest for a few hours, thencome in a few hours later to work a second shift, while others will jump right into action to meet the full mission capable target timeline.
The DDXX skill sets must cross multiple distribution disciplines. Pick, pack, ship, small, large, extra-large, classified and hazardous material disciplines are just a few skills needed to remain small and expeditionary.
When not deployed, DDXX employees are ensuring they meet yearly physical requirements, theatre specified individual readiness training, specified skill set training, attending expeditionary academies, supporting home station requirements, participating in FEMA Eagle Rising exercises as well as annual agency contingency operations readiness exercises.
When distribution centers submit internal support mission requests, DDXX is standing by to assist. During fiscal year 2023, DDXX has already made major impact by deploying and supporting:
- DLA Distribution Europe, November to December 2022
- DLA Distribution Red River, Texas, November 2022 to April 2023
- DLA Distribution Norfolk, Virginia, November 2022 to April 2023
- DLA Distribution Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, November to December 2022 and February to June 2023
- DLA Distribution Anniston, Alabama, January to March 2023
- DLA Distribution Albany, Georgia, March 2023
- DLA Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, April to June 2023
With overall funding constraints throughout DLA Distribution, Installation Management recently reached out to DDXX for assistance. DLA Distribution Norfolk, Virginia, had a container handler reach its service life, requiring DLA Distribution to use unfunded dollars to cover excessive maintenance repairs. Norfolk’s handler is used primarily to support the Air Force and Space Force Pacer Goose missions as well as other deployment and redeployment support requirements throughout the year.
In addition, two pieces of DLA Distribution Barstow, California’s primary support equipment, in direct support of the Fort Irwin training rotation, no longer meet California Code of Regulations, , in reducing oxides of nitrogen, diesel particulate matter, and other criteria pollutant emissions.
DDXX transferred on rough terrain container handler to each site. This will prevent the agency from having to purchase two container handlers replacements with a cost saving of $1.8 million.
DDXX continues to make a difference in support of the warfighter and whole of government partners.