NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. –
Air Force Gen. Darren W. McDew, commander, U.S. Transportation Command and members of his team visited DLA Distribution Jan. 30 for a DLA Distribution update.
Army Brig. Gen. John S. Laskodi, commanding general, DLA Distribution and his leadership team provided an organizational update first discussing the Agency’s new Strategic Plan, which outlines the 5 lines of effort the Agency will be focusing on in the current fiscal year. The update also focused on DLA Distribution’s 34 distribution centers worldwide, refreshing McDew on the core and unique capabilities with particular focus on the Transportation Division’s 30 million in savings to the military services and the synergy between Distribution and USTRANSCOM.
The expansion of Distribution’s Joint Expeditionary Force was discussed in detail, stressing the importance of the Global Posture line of effort in the new strategic plan. With more than 400 military and volunteer civilians, the force provides the capability to augment, to be able to surge, and to be able to deploy on a moment’s notice. McDew was also very interested in Distribution’s support to the hurricane relief efforts in the fall of 2017, when over 100 civilian and military personnel deployed to FEMA staging points to receive over 3,400 trailers loaded with more than 40 million liters of water and 22 million meals to support the hurricane victims. “You were herculean through that effort. During that time, I gained an even greater appreciation of what you do,” said McDew.
The discussion also focused on how the two agencies, who both provide support to U.S. combatant commands, the military services, defense agencies and other government organizations can work together to better support the Warfighter. The Business Development team provided an update on efforts to increase Distribution’s storage and distribution customer base through public private partnerships and efforts to encourage industry partners to utilize Distribution’s Vendor Shipment Module. A discussion ensued on how the Army is collaborating with DLA to reduce customer wait time to improve readiness by placing DLA-owned materials at Fort Carson Logistics Readiness Center supply support activity. Emphasizing the importance of integrating DLA and military service consumable inventories, McDew emphasized the important role played by DLA Distribution as the Joint Storage and Distribution provider for DOD.
McDew concluded that, “Every time I come here, you give me the inspiration to do more…to be a better Commander.”