GIMCHEON, South Korea –
The Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services Korea team recently supported U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory-South with the turn in of three deployed mobile laboratories in a property transfer involving coordination between personnel in South Korea and Fort Gillem, Georgia.
The mobile laboratories were in South Korea, while the unit generating the property turn in was stationed thousands of miles away in Georgia. Before the Army team traveled to the Korean peninsula, Kevin Higdon, a disposal services representative at Camp Humphreys, worked with Ted Bozeman, the USACIL-S property book officer, to inspect the property and review required documentation. Once the USACIL-S team arrived in Korea, personnel discovered additional property that required turn-in beyond what had originally been anticipated.
DLA’s Korea personnel adjusted to the expanded requirement and worked with the Army to process the additional equipment. Agency excess property receivers identified undocumented material, assigned National Stock Numbers and Local Stock Numbers when needed, and generated the required DD Form 1348 documentation during the turn in.
The three mobile laboratories contained scientific and forensic equipment used for criminal investigations in deployed environments. The property included microscopes, shakers, centrifuges, DNA analyzers, robotics and computer systems. In total, DLA Disposition Services processed 95 assets with a combined original value of more than $4 million.
Ted Bozeman, the USACIL-S property book officer, said DLA’s Korea team adjusted quickly when the scope of the turn in changed.
"DLA Korea quickly approved all our [Electronic Turn-In Document] requests and scheduled two turn-in appointments to ensure our mission success," Bozeman said. "Once on the ground, [DLA] went over and above when we dropped a request to turn in more equipment than originally planned."
Bozeman said he had previous experience turning in equipment at DLA disposal sites around the world and its Korea team was particularly responsive.
"On behalf of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory-South, thank you for ensuring our mission success," Bozeman said. "I’ve turned in equipment at numerous DLA [property disposal sites] all over the world, and your operation was the best one I’ve had the pleasure of working with."
Faron Cordrey, director of DLA Disposition Services Pacific, said the effort illustrated the importance of close coordination between DLA personnel and customers regardless of where property is located.
"This operation demonstrates how DLA Disposition Services personnel adapt to changing requirements while keeping the customer’s mission moving," Cordrey said. "The coordination between Camp Humphreys, Gimcheon, and the Army investigative laboratory allowed the team to process a complex turn in involving high-value, specialized equipment."
John Reber, DLA Disposition Services Korea area manager, said the successful transfer reflected his team’s focus on supporting customers through complex property disposition requirements.
"We are committed to providing excellent customer service no matter where the generator is located," Reber said. "This is just another example of the true team effort that embodies the employees of DLA Disposition Services Gimcheon."
The transfer allowed the Army laboratory to complete its disposition of the excess mobile laboratories and associated equipment while maintaining accountability for high-value property throughout the process.