FORT BELVOIR, Va. –
Senior leaders from Defense Logistics Agency Headquarters and DLA major subordinate commands convened at the NESO Integrated Support Summit April 20 at the McNamara Headquarters Complex to discuss how the agency can improve support to the Defense Department’s nuclear and space enterprises.
DLA’s Nuclear and Space Enterprise Support Office hosted the forum so agency representatives could share information and synchronize future efforts supporting the nuclear triad and space systems. The agenda included identifying gaps and unnecessary redundancies, and determining efficiencies and improvements to effectively support DOD’s nuclear and space enterprises. NESO’s organizational structure was reviewed, as well as performance-based agreement requirements, planning factors and the Small Business Innovation Program.
"What a great investment of [DLA] time and talent to support strategic warfighters’ needs," DLA Logistics Operations Director Navy Rear Adm. Doug Noble said while welcoming the group.
The admiral emphasized the importance of NESO’s origins, noting that former DLA Director Air Force Lt. Gen. Andy Busch established the NESO in January 2015 in response to a national call to restore the health and well-being of the nuclear enterprise. NESO is solely focused on agency efforts to enhance material support for the nation's crucial strategic weapons systems under the direction of DLA Logistics Operations.
Space and missile defense systems were recently added to NESO’s portfolio.
“Things we’ve done up to this point aren’t necessarily the things we need to do going forward,” Noble said.
Attendees acknowledged that the nuclear environment has changed and DLA’s support must adapt to meet new warfighter needs. DLA Logistics Operations Deputy Director Kristin French challenged the attendees to reboot.
“It's about getting better at how we do our business – supporting integrated deterrence,” she added.
Outlining plans for improving material availability for the Navy, Air Force, Space Force, U.S. Strategic Command and U.S. Space Command was a key component of the summit.
Commanders from DLA Aviation, DLA Land and Maritime, and DLA Troop Support said their teams are elevating support for nuclear and space repair parts and other commodities. They also analyzed DLA Strategic Plan objectives and initiatives and discussed ways to grow resources toward proactively supporting nuclear and space platforms.
Army Brig. Gen. Gail Atkins, DLA Land and Maritime commander, shared a framework for defining roles, responsibilities, tasks and governance. DLA Troop Support Commander Army Brig. Gen. Eric Shirley and DLA Aviation Commander Air Force Brig. Gen. Sean Tyler also agreed to incorporate "DLA Service Days" to illuminate NESO support for customers. The group reviewed how DLA measures success and collaborations with nuclear and space enterprise customers, as well.
Patrick Kelleher, executive director of operations and sustainment for DLA Logistics Operations, said the meeting was also about “integrated deterrence, posturing ourselves for future support and level-setting NESO support across the agency.”
Terry Simpson, executive director of NESO, facilitated summit discussions and thanked senior leaders for their direction and guidance in closing comments.