Courtesy Photo | DLA personnel in Afghanistan case the unit flag of DLA Distribution Kandahar during...... read more read more
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KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - Defense Logistics Agency Distribution closed the doors on its Kandahar, Afghanistan, center after more than three years supporting warfighters in DLA’s first active war zone location. Navy Capt. Joseph Noble, commander of DLA Support Team-Afghanistan, officiated at the Dec. 18 ceremony.
“This distribution center provided such an important service to the warfighter over the course of its life,” Noble said. “In fiscal year 2013 alone, Safe Ports [DLA Distribution Kandahar’s service partner] processed more than 344,000 receipts and issues.”
The distribution center’s beginnings came in February 2010 as a result of the first such of DLA from the secretary of defense. DLA Distribution deployed its expeditionary team soon after to stand up the distribution center.
The team’s goal was maintaining forward-positioned stock and providing distribution services to U.S. forces in Afghanistan via DLA Distribution Expeditionary’s modular, scalable, deployable unit.
The first major milestone was reached July 28, 2010, when the team received its first material release orders and processed the requisitions for supplies.
Over the following six months, the team prepared for the eventual transition to a government-owned, contractor-operated warehouse facility with strategic partner Safe Ports, and capabilities grew as housing, administrative and warehousing facilities came to fruition.
During the next two and a half years, the distribution center became a vital support element in theater.
“This government-owned, contractor-operated venture began with the intent to provide approximately 600 line items to the U.S. warfighter,” the distribution center’s final commander, Army Lt. Col. James Gill, said. “The mission shifted, and the team provided over 10,500 lines items. The flexibility exhibited and the focus on service led this organization to great heights.”
As a result of Army missions in Afghanistan, DLA Distribution Kandahar saw a 400 percent increase in workload.
“What an accomplishment by everyone involved, and you did not miss a beat,” Noble said.
In 2013, Safe Ports was awarded the DLA Outstanding Readiness Support Award in both the women-owned and small business categories.
“As we encase the flag today, together we can all reflect and be proud of the many successes of the past three years and the indelible mark this organization has made in DLA History,” Noble said. “Your 24/7 innovation and willingness to do whatever was needed to get the job done so that the warfighter had the critical supplies to perform the mission is absolutely second to none. As DLA Distribution’s commander Brig. Gen. [Susan] Davidson would say, ‘You are true patriots.’”
| Date Taken: | 12.26.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 12.27.2013 13:30 |
| Story ID: | 118660 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR, AF |
| Web Views: | 186 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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