COLUMBUS, Ohio –
In 2025, the Defense Logistics Agency Weapons Support (Columbus) turned challenges into momentum. Across the organization, teams strengthened supply chains, accelerated readiness and delivered capabilities that made a real impact for the warfighter. From leadership transitions and workforce achievements to major acquisition milestones, culminating in the stand‑up of a new major subordinate command, the year was defined by ingenuity, resilience and forward progress.
Here are the Top 10 highlights of the year.
1. In an enterprise-wide shift to optimize operational effectiveness, 2025 saw the first phase of an effort to establish a new major subordinate command, DLA Weapons Support, unifying the Aviation, Land and Maritime Class IX supply chains. Most of the latter part of 2025 was dedicated to completing the first phase, which resulted in reaching initial operational capability as a unified command on Oct. 1, 2025. Full operational capability is targeted for Oct. 1, 2026.
2. In May, DLA Weapons Support (Columbus) illustrated its direct impact on the nation’s defense by profiling the importance of its support to the “sea leg” of America’s nuclear triad – the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine in the revived edition of DLA’s flagship magazine, Loglines. DLA has helped sustain the “sea leg” of the U.S. nuclear triad since the Cold War began. It is one of the agency’s first and most continuous efforts to support deterrence and a collaborative cross-functional team at DLA Weapons Support (Columbus) ensures critical parts are available – all in lockstep with the Navy – to enable the Navy’s fleet of 14 Ohio-class submarines to hold the line against America’s adversaries 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
3. Defense Supply Center Columbus and the DLA Weapons Support (Columbus) bid farewell to their commander of three years, Army Brig. Gen Gail Atkins, on April 18, and welcomed incoming commander Navy Rear Adm. Julie Treanor on July 28. Kenneth Watson, then deputy commander, assumed command authority between the two ceremonies to ensure continuity of operations. Changes of command are a longtime military tradition that marks the transfer of authority from one leader to the next. The ceremony signals continuity, stability and accountability within a military organization.
4. In a move set to significantly enhance the nation’s maritime advantage, DLA Weapons Support’s detachment in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania awarded a 10-year, $5 billion Maritime Acquisition Advancement Contract to six small businesses expediting support for Virginia-class submarines and active surface ships. The contract is designed to accelerate DLA’s procurement of integrated weapon systems equipment and services and support the Navy’s most advanced class of nuclear-powered fast-attack submarines, streamlining logistics amid increasingly long procurement lead times.
5. In November, ten DLA Weapons Support (Columbus) employees and four teams were named as top performers in DLA’s 58th Annual Employee Recognition Awards Program. Additionally, four leaders credited with monumental contributions to warfighter support were inducted into the DLA Land and Maritime Hall of Fame at the end of May. These individuals represent the ongoing culture of excellence and innovation at the agency.
6. Collaborative problem-solving and process improvement initiatives yielded significant efficiencies throughout 2025. DLA Weapons Support (Columbus) Acquisition Acceleration Team implemented a comprehensive suite of innovations resulting in enhanced responsiveness and operational effectiveness. Through strategic process improvements and efficiency initiatives, the team has achieved a significant increase in manual and buyer assist awards with a reduction in purchase requests on hand, all while saving over 11,000 manhours with advanced efficiency tools.
7. When faced with the sudden cessation of operations by the sole supplier for Humvee transparent armor B-kits in early 2025, a cross-functional DLA Weapons Support (Columbus) team strategically mitigated this critical shortage by rapidly qualifying multiple vendors and temporarily implementing a revised quality standard in partnership with the Army, they significantly reduced the number of non-mission capable Humvees from 3,719 to under 100, directly improving warfighter readiness.
8. For the first time, two DLA Weapons Support (Columbus) organizations joined forces to bring a dynamic and immersive motivational experience to the agency’s workforce Sept. 2 in the Operations Center Auditorium. Headlined by former NFL offensive lineman and motivational speaker Shawn T. Harper, the event featured heartfelt speeches about discovering the leader within.
9. In 2025, the Pathways to Career Excellence program’s internal Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act Contracting 1100V Prep Course yielded a 100% success rate among attendees on the CON 1100V exam, significantly exceeding the War Department's pass rate of 81%. This highlights DLA Weapons Support (Columbus)’ focus on ensuring the workforce is prepared to meet future challenges in a contested logistics environment.
10. In June, the Defense Logistics Agency’s 2025 Supply Chain Alliance Symposium and Exhibition opened amid rising global tensions and stressed supply chains. The two-day event was dedicated to creating space for collaborative dialogue on strengthening the defense industrial base through strategic partnerships.
Together, these Top 10 highlights reflect a year marked by operational excellence, strategic advancement, innovative acquisition solutions, transformational change and a steadfast commitment to the warfighter.