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News | Jan. 10, 2021

Largest multi-site distribution complex in Defense Department delivers for Operation Warp Speed

By Dawn Bonsell, DLA Distribution Public Affairs Officer

As part of the Operation Warp Speed COVID-19 vaccination mission, Defense Logistics Agency Distribution began shipping Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to Defense Department employees outside the continental U.S., the deployed U.S. Navy Fleet and a limited number of locations within the continental U.S. Dec. 22.

Largest warehouse in Defense Department delivers for Operation Warp Speed
Gen. Robert B. Abrams, Commanding General for United States Forces Korea, receives the COVID-19 vaccine at Brian D. Allgood Army Community Hospital, U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, Dec. 29, 2020. The hospital is one of three U.S. Department of Defense medical treatment facilities in South Korea inoculating medical staff and other key personnel during the initial worldwide distribution of the vaccine. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Kris Bonet)
Largest warehouse in Defense Department delivers for Operation Warp Speed
Largest warehouse in Defense Department delivers for Operation Warp Speed
Gen. Robert B. Abrams, Commanding General for United States Forces Korea, receives the COVID-19 vaccine at Brian D. Allgood Army Community Hospital, U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, Dec. 29, 2020. The hospital is one of three U.S. Department of Defense medical treatment facilities in South Korea inoculating medical staff and other key personnel during the initial worldwide distribution of the vaccine. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Kris Bonet)
Photo By: Staff Sgt. Kris Bonet
VIRIN: 201229-A-CI827-0187

“I couldn’t be prouder of the DLA Distribution team. They’re working tirelessly to get the vaccine out as quickly as possible, while maintaining the -20 degrees Celsius temperature requirement to sustain the vaccine’s validity,” DLA Distribution Commander Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Keith D. Reventlow said.

COVID-19 vaccines arrive at Naval Hospital Yokosuka
Shipped from DLA Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, Dec. 22, Naval Hospital Yokosuka receives their first shipment of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines Dec. 26.
COVID-19 vaccines arrive at Naval Hospital Yokosuka
COVID-19 vaccines arrive at Naval Hospital Yokosuka
Shipped from DLA Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, Dec. 22, Naval Hospital Yokosuka receives their first shipment of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines Dec. 26.
Photo By: DLA Distribution Public Affairs
VIRIN: 201227-D-D0441-0002

As the Defense Department’s storage and distribution provider, DLA Distribution has six U.S.-based and four overseas distribution centers capable of handling the temperature sensitive cargo. While DLA Distribution has delivered the seasonal flu vaccine to the military for 20 years, the COVID-19 vaccine mission requires additional measures to sustain the proper temperature. Refrigerated trucks, dry-ice, gel packs, specialized cold-chain management training for employees and specialized cold gear including insulated suits, gloves, face masks and boots are provided for employees to wear while working with the shipments inside the temperature-controlled storage containers. Link to video footage:

Largest warehouse in Defense Department delivers for Operation Warp Speed
Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Commander, Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Keith D. Reventlow, left and Perry L. Knight, SES, deputy commander, center front, are introduced to James Connors, FedEx Worldwide account manager by DLA Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, Commander, Army Col. Trent Conner, right Dec. 23, 2020, as the team discusses Moderna COVID-19 vaccine shipments. (Photo by Army Capt. Trevor J. Madsen)
Largest warehouse in Defense Department delivers for Operation Warp Speed
Largest warehouse in Defense Department delivers for Operation Warp Speed
Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Commander, Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Keith D. Reventlow, left and Perry L. Knight, SES, deputy commander, center front, are introduced to James Connors, FedEx Worldwide account manager by DLA Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, Commander, Army Col. Trent Conner, right Dec. 23, 2020, as the team discusses Moderna COVID-19 vaccine shipments. (Photo by Army Capt. Trevor J. Madsen)
Photo By: Army Capt. Trevor J. Madsen
VIRIN: 201223-D-D0441-0101

Initial Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and ancillary kit shipments containing gloves, needles, syringes, alcohol wipes, sharps containers, band aids, gauze and tape have successfully arrived at three U.S. Forces Korea locations, Naval Hospital Yokosuka, Japan, Naval Base Health Clinic Bahrain, three DOD locations in Germany, two in Belgium and several locations within the continental U.S. Medical staff and other key personnel are now being inoculated during the initial distribution. Patients will be administered two identical doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, separated by 28 days, in accordance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and manufacturer medical guidelines.

Largest warehouse in Defense Department delivers for Operation Warp Speed
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Shaneshia Lindsey, 51st Medical Support Squadron medical materiel technician, unpacks COVID-19 vaccines at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Dec. 28, 2020. Patients will be administered two doses, separated by 28 days, in accordance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and manufacturer medical guidelines. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Betty R. Chevalier)
Largest warehouse in Defense Department delivers for Operation Warp Speed
Largest warehouse in Defense Department delivers for Operation Warp Speed
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Shaneshia Lindsey, 51st Medical Support Squadron medical materiel technician, unpacks COVID-19 vaccines at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Dec. 28, 2020. Patients will be administered two doses, separated by 28 days, in accordance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and manufacturer medical guidelines. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Betty R. Chevalier)
Photo By: USAF Staff Sgt. Betty R. Chevalier
VIRIN: 201228-F-WQ860-1000