TRACY, Calif. –
Defense Logistics Agency Director Navy Vice Adm. Michelle Skubic visited DLA Distribution San Joaquin, California, Aug. 18 to discuss initiatives toward improving and sustaining warfighter material readiness and to view installation improvements.
“We were proud to showcase all of our accomplishments and highlight our outstanding support to the warfighter,” DDJC Commander Marine Corps Col. Tiffany Harris said.
Harris, local DLA Installation Management Director Jonathan Mathews and DLA Disposition Services San Joaquin Area Manager Sonny Bulen provided an overview highlighting local operations. Support to the F-35 joint strike fighter program, wildland fires and other federal agencies for COVID-19 were among topics covered.
Skubic got a firsthand look at the induction, storing and shipping of critical F-35 parts to customers around the globe during a walking tour of the F-35 North American Regional Warehouse. She also met employees packing firefighting items destined for those fighting wildland fires throughout the United States and employees working in the COVID-19 rapid test kit storage area.
At the Consolidation and Containerization Point, the distribution platform for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and Unitized Group Rations, Skubic toured the Defense Department’s sole provider of UGR meals.
Installation support officials also showed off the new walking track/softball field and fitness center, and gave an update on the access control point project for the new installation entrance and Child Development Center. And Keryn McFarland, local chief of environmental and occupational health, provided a brief on clinic operations and COVID-19 vaccination efforts, for which the Director expressed her heartfelt appreciation
“The work you are doing here is critical to keeping our workforce safe,” Skubic said. “Thank you for the support your staff provides.”
Other topics included operations by the local fire and police departments, as well as pay, hiring and retention of local law enforcement staff.
The director provided commander’s coins to several employees: McFarland; Karina Ponce, Operations Cell; Natalie Lee-Haynes, F-35 mission; Donald Bennet, Mission Group; Jesus Vasquez, CCP; and Gilbert Moody, DLA Disposition Services San Joaquin. Mary Martinez from the Resource Management Group also received a coin for her 55 years of federal service.