DLA News Archive

Tag: history

Head and shoulders picture of a man in a green uniform with medals on his left shoulder.

Dec. 6, 2023

Former DLA Troop Support commander named new DLA director

FORT BELVOIR, Va. — The U.S. Senate confirmed Army Maj. Gen. Mark Simerly for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general and director of DLA Dec. 5 after a 10-month impasse of DOD nominations.

Elephant with a fuel barrel held by its trunk, a person standing nearby and underneath a portion of an aircraft wing.

Oct. 23, 2023

Commentary: World War II developmental, formative for first 5 DLA directors

FORT BELVOIR, Va. — When the Defense Supply Agency became the Defense Logistics Agency in 1977, it marked the end of an era. For a decade and a half, agency directors had based organizational and operational decisions on their World War II experiences.

Aug. 28, 2023

Commentary: DLA’s support for the Abrams as involved, critical as ever

FORT BELVOIR, Va. — DLA Historian Colin Williams chronicles the agency's long and storied relationship with the Abrams tank, which it helped develop in the 1970s.

Black and white image of man holding bars of soup in both hands.

June 21, 2023

Commentary: First agency director sketches, foretells growth in commodity management

FORT BELVOIR, Va. — Before his tour as first director of the Defense Supply Agency ended, Army Lt. Gen. Andrew T. McNamara shared his ideas for improving military logistics with Defense Secretary Robert S. McNamara.

April 11, 2023

Fiscal 2022 history report details agency’s latest efforts

FORT BELVOIR, Va. — Rapid response and technology transformation are among themes of DLA's fiscal 2022 historical report published early this month.

One woman and five men pose for a photo in front of an Army tent.

March 15, 2023

Commentary: Like ‘M.A.S.H.’ crew, DLA survived scrutiny

FORT BELVOIR, Va. — In the television series “M.A.S.H.,” an army hospital staff in Korea repeatedly saves itself from being disbanded by last-minute demonstrations of its effectiveness. Like the cast’s performance in the operating room, DLA has proven it manages even ancillary tasks more efficiently than other parts of the federal government.

A group of four men wearing face masks stand looking at a phone screen.

Dec. 13, 2022

Historical commentary: DLA regains mission balance, responds to crises during 2022

FORT BELVOIR, Va. — DLA's historian sums up key initiatives throughout the agency during 2022.

Linda Barnett sitting at a desk on the phone

Nov. 10, 2022

Former Customer Operations deputy director inducted into 2022 DLA Energy Hall of Fame

FORT BELVOIR, Va. — For her long-term contributions in developing contracting solutions, Linda Barnett was inducted in the DLA Energy Hall of Fame in the McNamara Auditorium, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, on Oct. 31.

Sept. 28, 2022

Historical commentary: DLA responds to procurement challenges with innovation, modernizes acquisition arm

FORT BELVOIR, Va. — DLA's ability to procure large quantities of scarce items at reasonable prices developed over time through repeated responses to unprecedented situations.

May 23, 2022

Agency’s fiscal 2021 history, McNamara memoir now available

FORT BELVOIR, Va. — New resources chronicling the Defense Logistics Agency’s recent efforts and the life of its first director are available on the growing history page at DLA’s website.