The Defense Logistics Agency’s nuclear mission has no margin for error, and it is a mission the agency supports every day. To ensure DLA personnel understand their role in that mission, the DLA Nuclear and Space Enterprise Office hosted the Nuclear Enterprise Orientation Course May 19-20 and 21-22. The two-day classified course provided an executive-level overview of the Air Force nuclear enterprise.
During opening remarks, DLA Logistics Operations director Air Force Maj. Gen. David Sanford highlighted the scope and critical nature of the agency’s nuclear support footprint. Sanford told the attendees that the agency conducts roughly $800 million in sales annually related to the enterprise. He emphasized that DLA serves as the backstop for the nation's land, air and sea-based nuclear forces.
“At the end of the day, it's a no-fail mission,” Sanford said.
The orientation course, delivered by a mobile education team, was designed for personnel who support nuclear weapons and systems, but who may have little to no prior nuclear experience. The curriculum covered high-level concepts including nuclear weapons management, security concepts, safety oversight and nuclear surety programs.
Ian Kurtz, one of the course instructors, explained that moving from conventional logistics into the nuclear realm requires a distinct shift in mindset. He said the course is intended to help students understand the unique culture of the enterprise. Kurtz introduced the course by grounding the students in the fundamental concept of deterrence, explaining that the ultimate goal of maintaining a strong nuclear arsenal is to ensure adversaries never decide to attack.
“We’re using nuclear weapons every day in order to keep the peace,” Kurtz said.
Dwayne Briscoe, the senior logistics operations strategist for DLA NESO, said the orientation course plays a foundational role in building a knowledgeable, cohesive workforce.
“A zero-defect culture is mandatory across the agency because supply chain integrity dictates weapon system reliability,” Briscoe said. “Regardless of their specific billet, every employee actively manages strategic risk; a single acquisition or sustainment anomaly can cascade into a mission-critical failure for the National Command Authority.”
Sanford echoed this sentiment, explaining that DLA’s support goes far beyond highly classified weapon components. An enterprisewide review recently identified that even common items, such as cotton gloves or specialized personal protective equipment, are vital to keeping launch control facilities, bombers and submarines operational. Sanford said if those items aren't coded correctly or prioritized in the supply chain, the mission could be compromised.
By providing this baseline education, DLA aims to ensure its workforce understands the gravity of the materials they acquire, sustain and transport.
“Institutionalizing nuclear surety principles builds enterprise-wide supply chain resilience,” Briscoe said. “A workforce educated on these protocols proactively identifies vulnerabilities, mitigates risk and executes flawless sustainment. This rigorous operational discipline directly guarantees the safety, security and immediate readiness of the (War Department’s) strategic deterrent forces.”