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News | March 21, 2019

Distribution Commanding Officer speaks at Support Ships 2019 conference

By Brianne M. Bender DLA Distribution Command Affairs

DLA Distribution Commanding Officer Navy Supply Corps Rear Adm. Kevin M. Jones was one of several guest speakers at the 2019 Support Ships conference held in London Feb. 19 to 21.

The purpose of the conference was to provide a unique opportunity for operational commanders, logisticians and capability leads to examine and look beyond the generation and operation of new capability. The conference addressed two critical questions: What will tomorrow’s operational support requirement look like for the world’s navies, and how should the support ship adapt to meet that requirement.

During his presentation, Jones explained how DLA, specifically Distribution, is able to provide support to U.S. Naval forces worldwide with strategically-located distribution centers and materiel processing centers, allowing materiel to be closer to the customers.

Outlining DLA’s organizational structure, Jones highlighted the six major subordinate commands and their core capabilities. Further, he explained the responsibilities of DLA’s regional commands Europe and Africa, Central, South and Pacific and their interaction with U.S. combatant commands.

“DLA provides more than $35 billion in goods and services annually,” explained Jones. “DLA also manages the reutilization and disposition of military equipment and operates a global network of distribution centers.”

Discussing Distribution’s core capabilities, Jones emphasized that the organization’s 24 distribution centers receive, store and issue materiel as well as coordinate transportation.  

Highlighting the organization’s ability to quickly respond to global events, Jones touted the organization’s expeditionary capability—essentially a distribution center in a box, “The purpose is of this capability is to provide a quick and agile distribution response to satisfy emergent or surging requirements, whenever and whenever needed.” The Expeditionary Team, along with its equipment, can deploy within 24-48 hours’ notice.

“Another tool in the distribution tool kit is the Global Distribution Expeditionary Contract,” said Jones. “This contract is ‘at the ready’ to provide the organization even more flexibility with the use of additional resources such as personnel, facilities and equipment.”  

Jones highlighted the organization’s modernization efforts and the need to remain relevant in an ever-changing environment, “Technology drives global businesses, we need to be ahead of the game when it comes to technology and supporting the warfighter; our global customers need to have the tools and supplies to perform their daily mission.”

Closing his presentation, Jones thanked the audience of strategic partners and allies for their continued support to DLA, “Strategic partnerships are integral to our success. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to share the DLA story. Events such as this allows us to understand our similarities and differences as well as to share ideas as we support key customers around the globe,” Jones said.