An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

News | Jan. 13, 2022

New facility provides DLA Energy Aerospace and Finance employees safer, healthier workplace

By Connie Braesch DLA Energy Public Affairs

A new operations center on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, will provide 104 Defense Logistics Agency Energy Aerospace and Finance employees a well-equipped space to manage the worldwide acquisition of missile fuels, liquid propellants and other bulk industrial chemicals and gases, and separately their financial operations.

The health and welfare of the workforce is a top priority for the DLA Energy Commander Air Force Brig. Gen. Jimmy Canlas. During the Jan. 7 ribbon cutting ceremony, the general emphasized the importance of the building.  

“The new facility is half the size of the old building yet meets all customer mission requirements as well as complies with current building, security, health, and safety standards,” Canlas said. “It is designed with sustainable principles in mind by using the latest energy efficient technologies incorporated into air conditioning, lighting, and insulation systems. Building design used high energy efficiency principles while providing ample use of natural lighting.” 

inside cubicle office spaces
New facility provides DLA Energy Aerospace and Finance employees safer, healthier workplace
Designed with sustainable principles in mind using energy efficient technologies incorporated into air conditioning, lighting, and insulation systems, while maximizing the use of natural lighting, a new Defense Logistics Agency Energy Aerospace and Finance Operations Center on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, is a more efficient use of space and complies with current building, security, health, and safety standards. Photo by DLA Energy Public Affairs.
Photo By: Photo by DLA Energy Public Affairs
VIRIN: 220107-D-ZA779-004

The DLA Energy Finance and Aerospace team members previously occupied an old building on the Kelly Air Force Base, closed under BRAC in 1995. Since closure, the property was turned over to the Port Authority of San Antonio who leased the building to DLA. 

“The building is over 81 years old with high maintenance costs, code compliance challenges, and substantial quality of life and health related issues including mold,” said DLA Energy Aerospace Energy Director of Supplier Operations Doug Smith. “It is also now outside of the enclosure of a secure military installation, lacks required security features, and did not effectively optimize use of space.”

An economic analysis of options for status quo, renovation, lease, and new construction was completed and validated that new construction was the most economical option to meet operational requirements. 

The new 22,135 square feet facility construction was coordinated with an installation physical security plan including all physical security, antiterrorism, and cyber-security measures. 

Army Lt. Col. Roderick Forman, Deputy Commander of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Fort Worth District, oversaw the military construction project and said it’s about partnerships and creating world-class facilities. 

“Thanks to your team, DLA and everyone for all the hard work you put in to bring this together,” Forman said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. 

Employees are expected to start moving into the new facility in late February after computers, printers and other information technology equipment is installed. 

As the Department of Defense Integrated Materiel Manager for space and space-related products, DLA Energy Aerospace Energy provides centralized, cradle-to-grave contracting and logistics support for military and civilian customers worldwide. Support includes 28 different product sources from helium for aerostats, aviator breathing oxygen to fighter jets, and hydrazine used by NASA for its space launches, including its 2021 mission to Mars.