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News | Feb. 5, 2016

Bahrain distribution center participates in Army Watercraft testing mission

By Brianne M. Bender DLA Distribution Public Affairs

Due to an increase in responsibilities, DLA Distribution Bahrain was looking to tap into agency resources within the region, coordinating with DLA Disposition Kuwait to determine if demilitarization capabilities existed within their local mission. At the same time and as part of the process to establish the Trans Arabian Network, DLA Support Team - Kuwait was looking for opportunities to test the Army watercraft mission.

Army watercraft systems are critical enablers in overcoming austere access challenges. Army watercraft are designed to operate in austere to bare beach environments. These unique assets are not dependent on developed seaports or infrastructure and can operate in shallow draft, littoral and inland waterways.

In addition to traditional distribution capabilities, DLA Distribution Bahrain also manages the Mapping Support Office which supports U.S. Central Command, as the largest mapping customer of the Combatant Commands. With that comes a high volume of mapping demilitarization requirements that keep warehouse stock rotating and up to date.  While the distribution center has an industrial shredder, it alone cannot keep up with the monthly demilitarization volume of nearly 120 disposals for more than 6,600 products.

"The use of the Army watercraft is a cost-effective means of transporting cargo throughout the region and tremendously reduce our transportation costs,” explained Army Lt. Col. Ronald Eggelston of DLA Disposition Services. “Another benefit is that instead of multiple DLA agencies within the same region duplicating efforts, we are able to consolidate our requirements and have a ‘One DLA’ solution that promotes teamwork."

Having a number of other shipments for Kuwait, DLA Disposition Bahrain ordered containers while DLA Support Team - Kuwait ordered a vessel from the 831st Transportation Battalion. On Dec. 22, Distribution filled one 20-foot container with 18 pallets of maps and geographical CD-ROMs, while Disposition transported four containers and one Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle from the Port of Mina Salman to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. 

"The process concluded seamlessly and the 831st Transportation Unit handled this evolution in an expeditious manner. This system will now be a major advantage in the transportation of our material to assist in cost-saving efforts,” concluded DLA Disposition Bahrain site manager, Nick Lulay.