DLA delivers meals in support of Ukrainian military

Defense Logistics Agency
Story by William Addison

Date: 04.01.2014
Posted: 04.02.2014 13:45
News ID: 123748

UKRAINE - More than a dozen trucks arrived in Ukraine March 29, carrying 25,000 cases of meals, ready to eat, thanks to the efforts of Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support and DLA Distribution employees.

U.S. European Command requested the MREs March 26 as part of the humanitarian support pledged by the State Department to Ukrainian armed forces. The secretary of defense allocated $3 million to support Ukraine’s military.

The mission was a three-prong effort between DLA Troop Support in Philadelphia, DLA Troop Support Europe & Africa, and DLA Distribution Europe, according to Angel Colon, deputy commander for DLA Troop Support Europe & Africa.

Trucks loaded with MREs left a DLA Distribution warehouse in Germersheim, Germany, and rolled toward Ukraine within 24 hours of receiving the requirement, Colon said. He praised the teamwork of the DLA workforce in executing the delivery in such a short time frame.

“It was extreme logistics at its very best,” he said. “We could not have been as successful had it not been for DLA’s team of experts, from Philly to Germershiem, working in concert with one another to successfully launch the MREs.”

Support to the region is a common component of DLA Distribution support, Army Lt. Col. Andre Baldanza, DLA Distribution Europe commander, said. “We are thrilled that our strategic distribution experience and expertise enabled EUCOM to accomplish their mission.”