Defense Logistics Agency

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) is a vital component of the United States Department of Defense (DoD), responsible for providing comprehensive logistics support to the military services and federal agencies. Established in 1961, DLA manages the global supply chain to ensure troops have necessary equipment, supplies, and services to carry out their missions effectively.

Headquartered in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, DLA operates a vast network of facilities across the United States and internationally. Its major subordinate commands include:

• DLA Troop Support: Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, it manages supply chains for food, textiles, construction materials, and medical supplies including pharmaceuticals.
• DLA Aviation: Based in Richmond, Virginia, it oversees the supply chain for aviation weapons systems repair parts, flight safety equipment, maps, consumable hardware, environmental products, and industrial plant systems.
• DLA Land and Maritime: Situated in Columbus, Ohio, it handles the supply chain for ground-based and maritime weapons systems repair parts, consumable hardware, small arms parts, and fluid-handling systems.
• DLA Energy: Located in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, it manages petroleum and lubrication products, alternative fuel and renewable energy, aerospace energy, fuel quality/technical support, fuel card programs, and installation energy services.
• DLA Distribution: With facilities in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, and other locations, it provides storage and distribution solutions, transportation planning and management, logistics planning, contingency operations, and operates a global network of distribution centers.
• DLA Disposition Services: Based in Battle Creek, Michigan, it disposes of excess property by reutilization, transfer, and demilitarization; conducts environmental disposal and reuse.

Mission and Staff

DLA's mission is to "Drive and sustain Warfighter readiness by delivering unmatched global support as the Nation’s Logistics Combat Support Agency." The agency employs about 25,000 employees, divided into multiple supply chains that contract for material and services across military classes of supply.

This includes:

• Subsistence (food/water)
• Clothing and textiles
• Bulk petroleum and other energy products
• Construction material and equipment
• Personal demand items
• Medical material and equipment
• Repair parts for land, sea, and air systems

Humanitarian and Disaster Relief

Besides supporting the military, DLA plays a crucial role in humanitarian and disaster relief efforts. It provides relief supplies to natural disaster victims and humanitarian aid to refugees and internally displaced persons.

Locations

DLA operates numerous facilities across the United States and internationally, including:

• Fort Belvoir, Virginia
• Battle Creek, Michigan
• New Cumberland, Pennsylvania
• San Joaquin, California
• Norfolk, Virginia
• San Diego, California
• Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
• Yokosuka, Japan
• Germersheim, Germany
• Fort Carson, Colorado
• Center, Pennsylvania

Through this extensive network and comprehensive services, the Defense Logistics Agency ensures the U.S. military and its partners have the necessary resources to maintain operational readiness and respond effectively to global challenges.