DLA Distribution News

A group of people stand outside of a warehouse.

June 17, 2026

New DLA Distribution Sigonella commander outlines 'mission and people always' vision at first all-hands call

NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA, Italy — Navy Cmdr. Aaron Smith, commander, Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Sigonella, Italy, held an all-hands call with employees June 12, his first since assuming command of the distribution center as the 11th commander.

Two men wearing camouflage military uniforms pass a flag between one another

June 17, 2026

Partnerships and people at forefront as leaders change

NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. — New hands are on the reins at Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Korea. Army Lt. Col. Celina Pargo relinquished command to Army Lt. Col. Kelly Svarstad during a ceremony at Camp Carroll, Korea, June 12. Army Brig. Gen. Kevin L. Cotman, commanding general, DLA Distribution, presided over the ceremony.

DLA San Joaquin firefighters battling a fire.

June 17, 2026

Mutual Aid in Action: DLA San Joaquin firefighters support local crews in 5-alarm fire

TRACY, Calif — Firefighters from Defense Logistics Agency Installation Management, San Joaquin Fire & Emergency Services responded to an offsite five-alarm fire June 11, one with plumes of smoke visible from neighboring counties and television news coverage visible across the nation.

Four men, three of them wearing camouflage military uniforms, stand behind a table with a cake on it.

June 12, 2026

DLA Distribution Susquehanna honors 251st Army birthday

NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. — Navy Capt. Andy Henwood, commander, Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, hosted a ceremony honoring the 251st birthday of the U.S. Army June 10, in New Cumberland.

A man wearing a white dress U.S. Navy military uniform stands on stage indoors behind a podium speaking to a group of people with flags behind him.

June 11, 2026

Smith assumes command of Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Sigonella

NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA, Sicily — Navy Cmdr. Aaron K. Smith has assumed command of Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Sigonella, Italy. Located in Sicily, the distribution center serves as a logistics hub supporting U.S. and allied military forces operating across the European and African theaters.

Graphic illustration with a dark blue background and yellow lettering. Text reads: Near-Miss Reporting: A Range of Benefits. Mishap prevention: By addressing the root causes of near-misses, we can proactively mitigate risks and prevent future accidents.
Increased employee engagement: Involving employees in the safety process fosters a sense of ownership and shared responsibility for creating a safe work environment.
Improved operational efficiency: A safer workplace is a more productive one with fewer interruptions and delays caused by accidents.
Regulatory compliance and cost savings: Proactively identifying and correcting hazards helps regulatory compliance and reduced costs associated with accidents. See it. Report it. Fix it.

June 10, 2026

See it, report it, fix it: Why near-miss reporting drives mission success

NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. — Every day, across our global network of Distribution Centers, Defense Logistics Agency Distribution executes a mission critical to the readiness and lethality of the American warfighter. Whether you are operating Material Handling Equipment, palletizing materiel or processing shipments, your work directly supports our national defense. It is a mission that accepts no substitute for excellence, and excellence begins with safety.

June 9, 2026

Agile logistics in action: DLA Distribution Yokosuka delivers time-sensitive solution in support of Navy operations

YOKOSUKA, Japan — Demonstrating the agility, expertise and operational readiness required in today’s contested logistics environment, Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Yokosuka, Japan, recently spearheaded a critical joint logistics enterprise effort supporting current operations through the rapid execution of a non-traditional cargo movement involving hundreds of pallets of high-priority Navy Transportation Priority 2 requirements.

Two men wearing camouflage military uniforms stand on stage passing a guidon.

June 8, 2026

Leadership of large-scale mission set changes hands

NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. — Army Lt. Col. Brandon S. Ebel relinquished command of Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Anniston, Alabama, to Army Lt. Col. Nick Taylor at a ceremony presided over by Army Brig. Gen. Kevin L. Cotman, commanding general, DLA Distribution, June 6. The event also served as a retirement ceremony for Ebel, acknowledging and honoring his 24 years of service in the U.S. Army.

A group of people stand outside in front of a large building posing for a group photo.

June 8, 2026

DLA honors newest PACE graduates in hybrid ceremony

NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. — Defense Logistics Agency Human Resources conducted a hybrid graduation ceremony to recognize graduates of the Pathways to Career Excellence program at Defense Supply Center Columbus, Ohio, and Defense Distribution Center, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, June 1.

A group of people stand in front of a ribbon suspended between two fork lifts inside a large warehouse, one is wearing a dress military uniform.

June 2, 2026

DLA Distribution Europe facility increases operational capability

NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. — Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Europe held a ribbon cutting with local elected officials to recognize the soft-opening of the Logistics Distribution Center Europe Annex in Germersheim, Germany, May 27.

May 29, 2026

New hands on the helm of critical distribution center

NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. — The mantle of command changed hands at Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Sigonella, Italy, on May 29 as Navy Cmdr. Renae Renken relinquished command to Navy Cmdr. Aaron Smith at a ceremony presided over by Brig. Gen. Kevin L. Cotman, commanding general, DLA Distribution.

Two people holding awards at a ceremony.

May 19, 2026

DLA Distribution personnel earn national recognition for logistics excellence

NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. — Two employees and one Defense Logistics Agency Distribution team received 2026 awards from the National Institute of Packaging, Handling, and Logistics Engineers for their contributions to the logistics field at a banquet during the NIPHLE National Training Event in Oak Ridge, New Jersey, May 6.

People putting together ration kits in a warehouse.

May 18, 2026

DLA Distribution San Joaquin’s Unitized Group Rations keep warfighters fed

TRACY, Calif — Since 1985, Defense Logistics Agency Distribution San Joaquin’s UGR mission has been assembling, packing and shipping various types of rations kits. Known originally as Unitized Tray Rations, the facility has operated based on the meal kits needed according to the operational and exercise schedule of the military services.

May 4, 2026

DLA Distribution leadership discusses organizational health, transformation

NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. — Army Brig. Gen. Kevin Cotman, commanding general, Defense Logistics Agency Distribution, and Joe Faris, acting deputy commander, discussed the results from the command’s 2025 Defense Organizational Climate Survey during a town hall meeting in New Cumberland, April 29.

A group photo of military and civilians in front of a building.

May 1, 2026

Operational Synergy: DLA Distribution Commander’s Annual Site Visit to San Diego

NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. — Army Brig. Gen. Kevin Cotman, commanding general, Defense Logistics Agency Distribution, and Joe Faris, acting deputy commander, DLA Distribution, recently visited the team at DLA Distribution San Diego, California, reviewing critical logistics operations, engaging directly with personnel, and discussing strategic facility infrastructure to ensure continued mission excellence.