BATTLE CREEK, Mich. –
The Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services site in Kuwait recently hosted an event to support the entire Central directorate’s area of responsibility. The summit included discussions on a wide variety of issues impacting those within the region, including tailored logistics support programs and hazardous waste disposal.
One of the primary and overarching summit objectives was reinforcing relationships between DLA and the warfighter. Attendees included DLA personnel, contractors, and uniformed service members.
Central’s operational tempo and diverse collection of military, contractors, and civilians creates the need for cohesive partnerships for mission success.
“DLA is not just a junk yard. We provide an inordinate amount of services to the warfighter at a very low cost, many times free,” said Region Director Dave Flietstra. “Our biggest challenge in Kuwait in supporting the warfighter is military turnover. We just get one unit trained and informed on our support capabilities and then they rotate out.”
With the constant rotation of military personnel, DLA relies on regional staff to have the knowledge necessary to accomplish the daily hazardous material and waste disposal mission. A member of that staff, Olivia Beavers, discussed her role within the operation.
“My job is basically to make sure that we don’t have any hazardous waste or hazardous material on the yard,” said Beavers. “I also monitor the HAZMAT that we use on the yard as far as oils, diesels with the maintenance. Making sure we keep the yard free of spills or oil drips or hydraulic fluids.”
While attending the summit, personnel discussed multiple aspects of Central’s hazardous waste disposal efforts, to include general turn in of material and scrap, capacity at the Kuwait site, and support available to the warfighter.
By hosting events like the summit, DLA provides a forum to share best practices, ideas, and methodologies to better align the agency, contractors, and military personnel to overcome the challenges of operating in a contested environment.