YOKOSUKA, Japan –
Outgoing DLA Distribution Yokosuka, Japan, commander Navy Cmdr. Brian Johnson has received the Defense Meritorious Service Medal for his achievements in leading the distribution center from June 2014 to October 2016.
Leading over 400 U.S. civil servants, military, and Japanese nationals, and maintaining more than 47,000 line items of inventory valued at $295 million dollars from 24 facilities across four geographically separated sites, Johnson moved DLA Distribution’s largest OCONUS distribution center into the future.
Over the course of his command, numerous initiatives were implemented to increase warfighter readiness, reduce DLA Distribution and the service’s costs, and increase reimbursable business.
During this time, the transportation protective services initiative was developed and executed, giving DLA the responsibility for freight within mainland Japan requiring extra security, including classified, sensitive, and hazardous material. This initiative has contributed to reduced customer wait times, and has provided emergent response to service requirements.
A partnership between DLA Distribution and Disposition was formed for material turn-in of reutilization transfer donation items within Yokosuka. This provided Navy customers with a one-stop location for material turn-in to Disposition Services representatives while leveraging existing infrastructure and transportation lanes. This effectively eliminated the time the warfighter spends driving to the Disposition Services location, and reduced handling and rejected turn-ins.
In partnership with Bath Iron Works, U.S. Ship Repair Facility Yokosuka, and Naval Sea Systems Command, the distribution center supported the Extended Service Life Program and the DDG Modernization Weapons System Upgrade of the USS John S. McCain. This effort involved the meticulous receipt, kitting, and stowage of over 6,000 line items valued in excess of $2 million, and ensured the phased execution timeline for the project could proceed on target.
Further expanding support to the Pacific, significant progress was made toward the stand-up of one of the network’s newest detachments in Iwakuni, to be opened in the near future.
The site, responsible for the daily operations of all wholesale supply, storage, and distribution within Iwakuni and providing the full range of physical distribution services, and has an estimated initial cost avoidance to the services of $1.2 million.
Johnson will turn over the reins to Navy Cmdr. Nolasco Villanueva in a ceremony tomorrow, October 14.