NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. –
DLA Distribution’s J9 Navy Reserve Team took over a massive effort in support of DLA Distribution Europe’s retrograde mission. The operation took place Jan. 6 to Feb. 2, 2019.
The purpose of the team’s effort was to help reduce retrograde backlog and return key readiness drivers to serviceable inventory.
Army Lt. Col. Jonathan S. Ackiss, commander, DLA Distribution Europe commented that the Sailors really connected well with, and were well received, by the workforce.
“It was really great to see. I believe the sailors received a lot of hands-on experience to take back to their unit and weekly duties. The team routinely worked upwards of ten production hours per day and on Saturdays,” said Ackiss, continuing, “This was a big win for us and not only cleared a lot of materiel we haven’t had the internal capacity to get to, but also emptied an entire warehouse that is critical to support our current Class I surge.”
Ackiss said he greatly appreciates the support from the Distribution headquarters, and believes based on the below numbers, the return on investment, will be felt in operational effects:
- Over $12.8 million of material returned to inventory
- 16,000 square feet of warehouse space was cleared
- 8,000 lines of material processed
- Over 109,000 individual items stowed
- 60 X flatbed trucks of material moved
- 2,500 man-hours worked
According to Ed Visker, director, Distribution Joint Force Development, Distribution’s Navy Reserve Component is an integral part of the Distribution team and is a critical force multiplier.
“From exercises to hurricane relief—when Distribution calls—they come eager to support the mission of the agency. Distribution’s Navy Reservists provided 60 percent of all Distribution reserve support in fiscal year 2018, which totaled more than 250,000 man-hours,” stated Visker.