BATTLE CREEK, Mich. –
Defense Logistics Agency Vice Director Brad Bunn visited Michigan’s Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center in Battle Creek Aug. 18-19, where he met with local staff and provided keynote remarks to attendees of the annual Defense Department Law Enforcement Support Office training seminar.
“It’s more than just a surplus or excess property program,” Bunn told seminar attendees. “We really view it as a bridge connecting national defense to domestic security, national resources to local requirements, meeting critical needs at the state and local level, and importantly – maximizing the value of taxpayer dollars.”
The DLA-managed LESO executes 10 US Code 2576a, allowing for the loan of controlled property or donation of excess non-controlled DOD property to law enforcement agencies across the U.S. and its territories. Participating state governors each select a coordinator to serve as a liaison and compliance officer for their state’s participants and as a conduit to DLA and LESO. State coordinators regularly attend the training seminar to hear about policy updates and best practices, and each year a smattering of officials from the more than 8,000 participating state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies take part as well.
Bunn spoke both in general terms about DLA’s expansive role as the nation’s logistics combat support agency and provided a brief history of its stewardship of LESO. He said that DLA’s property loans and donations to law enforcement had grown to more than $8.4 billion in original acquisition value of equipment and supplies over recent decades, including about 100,000 items provided to more than 460 agencies in fiscal 2025. He said LESO was a relatively small mission area for DLA, but one that has historically generated outsized attention and one its personnel take pride in.
“We’re proud of this mission, we’re proud of the program and how we run it,” Bunn said. “It’s an outstanding example of how our mission to support America’s warfighters extends beyond the battlefield and into our nation’s local law enforcement agencies.”
Bunn shared recent participant anecdotes including flood response efforts in Texas, aerial search and rescue missions in Nevada, and active shooter response emergencies. He also previewed potential future improvements and changes to the program and praised the closer coordination taking place between the Defense Department and the Departments of Homeland Security and Justice on support enhancements.
“We remain dedicated to continuous improvement and to working with all of you to make sure LESO continues to be valuable and essential for the law enforcement agencies that you represent,” Bunn said.
While in Battle Creek, Bunn met with DLA Installation Management officials and received a tour of the historic campus, visited the DLA Customer Interaction Center, and interacted with local DLA Logistics Information Services and DLA Information Operations leaders.
As his final stop before returning to agency headquarters, Bunn received a DLA Disposition Services fiscal year recap briefing and preview of 2026 focus areas from the major sub-command’s principals that touched on data acumen, workforce development initiatives, and various pilot projects.
“Clearly, you have an engaged team that is focused intently on meeting its mission,” Bunn said. “I appreciate you all doing what you’re doing.”