NEW CUMBERLAND, Pennsylvania –
On July 6, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced Defense Distribution Center, Susquehanna was selected as one of five military bases to be awarded the Commander in Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence, the highest award for excellence among installations.
The Commander in Chief's Award for Installation Excellence recognizes the outstanding and innovative efforts of the people who operate and maintain U.S. military installations. The five recipients of this highly-competitive Presidential award, one from each military service and the Defense Logistics Agency, were selected for their exemplary support of Department of Defense missions.
The installation, located in Fairview Township, is home to DLA Distribution Susquehanna, Pa., the Department of Defense’s largest distribution center. “This honor has resulted from the efforts of our people who perform the day-to-day task of operating and maintaining one of the busiest and biggest distribution logistics centers in the Department of Defense,” said DLA Distribution Susquehanna, Pa., commander Army Colonel Corey A. New.
DLA Distribution Susquehanna is the primary distribution point for U.S. forces and other defense and federal agencies located in the eastern U.S., and serves as the Consolidation and Containerization Point, transiting supplies to Central and South America, Europe, North Africa, and Southwest Asia.
New, dual-hatted as the installation commander, adds, “This award is a reflection of the nearly 4,000 dedicated people who reside on base or come to work here every day in support of the warfighter … it's no surprise to me that this installation has been recognized.”
The installation is being recognized for planning the use of resources, people, facilities and utilities wisely. It oversaw the design and construction of $20 million in maintenance projects and $150 million in military construction. Its lighting efficiency projects reduced operating costs and resulted in rebates of $500,000 for additional energy conservation.
In addition to Defense Distribution Center, Susquehanna, the service winners of the 2015 CINC award include the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.; Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C.; Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla.; and Joint Base Andrews, Md.
Each winning installation will receive a commemorative Commander in Chief’s Award trophy and flag and a congratulatory letter from the President.
This is the fourth win for Defense Distribution Center, Susquehanna since the installation, formerly known as New Cumberland Army Depot, was deactivated and placed under the command of the Defense Logistics Agency in 1991.