The Defense Logistics Agency Energy delivered a new turnkey system for transporting aviator’s oxygen to the 23rd Logistics Readiness Squadron at Moody Air Force Base, establishing a dedicated supply chain — a move prompted by pandemic-era shortages.
The project originated during the coronavirus pandemic when hospitals' increased need for oxygen strained the industrial gas supply chain. The demand diverted delivery trucks to medical facilities and extended lead times for specialized International Organization for Standardization tank containers to as long as 24 months.
During the shortage, DLA Energy leased an ISO container to support operations in Hawaii. The process required DLA Energy personnel, including Mike Blankenship, a customer account specialist in the Business Operations Branch, to deploy with the equipment to manage connections and fills.
To avoid deploying personnel for future logistics, DLA Energy sought a vendor to manage end-to-end cryogenic transport. After traditional industrial gas companies declined the contract model, the DLA Energy supplier engagement team partnered with Katmai and Maytag, a small business team with cryogenic capabilities for aviator breathing oxygen and liquid nitrogen.
Doug Smith, the DLA Energy aerospace energy director, formed a team to execute the project. Shonda Rizo, director of aerospace customer operations, managed customer coordination, and Charles “CJ” Hunter, chief of the Cryogenics East Branch, worked with the Air Force Petroleum Office to select Moody Air Force Base for the initial delivery.
Blankenship provided operational requirements based on the Hawaii deployment, while quality manager Nelly McLeod managed quality control and product sampling. Supply planner Bryant Daniels drafted the purchase request for the new requirement type, and contracting officer Jessica Negron awarded the contract.
“We couldn't accept 'no' from the market when flight operations were on the line,” Smith said. “This turnkey solution isn't just about moving oxygen; it’s about building a resilient, adaptable supply chain. If a customer loses their permanent storage capability, we can now drop this system in place and keep the warfighter flying without missing a beat.”
The vendor procured an ISO container, filled it at an approved DLA Energy site, and delivered it to the base. A former Air Force cryogenics expert trained the 23rd Logistics Readiness Squadron staff on filling, transferring and sampling procedures.
Following the delivery, Archie Hawkins III, a customer account specialist in the Cryogenics East Branch, managed product ordering procedures, billing and post-delivery reviews for the squadron. The system is now fully operational.
Note: Generative AI assisted in drafting this story, which was thoroughly researched, reviewed, and edited by War Department personnel.
| Date Taken: |
08.14.2026 |
| Date Posted: |
08.14.2026 15:50 |
| Story ID: |
572459 |
| Location: |
VIRGINIA, US |
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27 |
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