Assistant secretary of war for sustainment tours DLA Distribution

New Cumberland, Pa. — The Defense Logistics Agency Distribution hosted Assistant Secretary of War for Sustainment Brian Birdwell and Air Force Maj. Gen. David Sanford on Aug. 13 for a high-level review of the global supply network that underpins joint-force operations, according to the agency.

Command leaders walked Birdwell through the organization’s role in equipping U.S. and allied forces and keeping units supplied at the tactical edge, stressing the speed, reliability and depth needed to sustain readiness across theaters. “As much as I enjoyed my time in the Texas Legislature, professionally I’m back home here among the warrior class,” Birdwell said. “I’m honored to be among you all. Thank you for all you do to be tactically and professionally proficient at what you do.”

Birdwell, confirmed to his post in May, serves as the principal logistics official for the War Department with direct oversight of DLA. He is a retired Army officer with 20 years in field artillery and quartermaster assignments.

Throughout the briefings, leaders highlighted how DLA Distribution’s network supports forward-deployed troops with parts, equipment and other critical materiel. Sanford outlined the enterprise scale, saying the agency manages nine critical supply chains that support more than 2,300 weapon systems, and described DLA’s logistics posture as integral to U.S. force projection.

Discussions also covered the command’s modernization agenda, efforts to strengthen auditability and progress stabilizing the Warehouse Management System. “Our modernizing efforts, from refining the Warehouse Management System to enhancing our audit posture, are entirely focused on one end state, warfighter readiness,” said Army Brig. Gen. Kevin Cotman, commanding general, DLA Distribution. “Every modernization milestone we reach directly translates to faster, more reliable logistics delivery at the tactical edge.”

After the headquarters session, Birdwell visited the 1.7-million-square-foot Eastern Distribution Center at DLA Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, observing receiving, processing and shipping operations. He presented coins to Jim Howard and Dave Creznic for outstanding support, and Sanford, on behalf of DLA Director Army Lt. Gen. Mark Simerly, awarded DLA director’s coins to Missy Wright, Matt Merrill and James Weber.