DLA launches new weapons support command to boost global readiness

The Defense Logistics Agency has consolidated its land, maritime and aviation supply chains into a single command, DLA Weapons Support, in a move leaders said is designed to speed sustainment across the joint force. The change was formalized in back-to-back ceremonies July 23 in Richmond, Virginia, and July 24 at the Defense Supply Center Columbus.

At Defense Supply Center Richmond, DLA Director Army Lt. Gen. Mark Simerly presided over the deactivation of DLA Aviation and the relinquishment of command by Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick Launey. The following day in Columbus, he led the deactivation of DLA Land and Maritime and the activation of DLA Weapons Support. Navy Rear Adm. Julie Treanor assumed command in Columbus.

“This unified command strengthens our ability to sustain weapon systems across the joint force with speed, precision and unity of effort,” Simerly said. “It gives commanders a single integrated partner, industry a clearer demand signal and the warfighter a stronger, more agile logistics backbone.”

Simerly framed the restructuring as a response to a rapidly evolving operational landscape and emphasized the agency’s intention to adapt to contested logistics. “Standing up DLA Weapons Support is a commitment to meeting the demands of contested logistics, global operations and the accelerating pace of modern warfare,” Simerly said. “And it is a promise that we will continue to evolve, innovate and deliver for those who rely on us.”

Headquartered at the Defense Supply Center Columbus, DLA Weapons Support integrates the agency’s two Class IX supply centers into a single supply chain manager overseeing more than 2.5 million spare and repair parts used on more than 4,200 weapon systems. The command counts more than 6,300 employees across two primary hubs in Columbus and at Defense Supply Center Richmond, along with more than 50 forward sites worldwide.

Treanor said the new organization builds on the achievements of its predecessors. “This new chapter is not just about a new command; it’s about the convergence of people, of purpose, and distinguished legacies…to build for the future,” Treanor said. “And that future demands unified, seamless support for the warfighter. That is our single purpose.”

The legacies of DLA Land and Maritime and DLA Aviation include modernization initiatives, vendor programs that generated significant savings, and high material availability for critical naval programs. “The combined team from both those organizations will continue to do what they have done for decades — keeping the skies dominated by American airpower and our ground and sea forces moving with unyielding momentum,” she said. Treanor described the merger as more than an organizational alignment. “We are not simply bolting organizations together,” she noted. “We are forging a unified future.”

Treanor outlined three operational pillars for the new command. The first focuses on establishing “gold standard” operations by adopting the most effective practices from across the enterprise. The second targets the elimination of redundancy and bureaucratic friction. “If a process does not make us faster or more accurate for the warfighter, we’re leaving it in the past,” Treanor said. The third pillar aims to expand automation and data analytics to shift the workforce from repetitive tasks to higher-order problem solving. The goal, she said, is faster, more cost-effective support that meets frontline needs: “A warfighter on the front line doesn’t care if a critical component is classified as an aviation part, a maritime valve, or a land vehicle sensor. They only care that it arrives on time, and that it works when their life depends on it.”

Treanor credited the workforce for sustaining momentum during the transition. “This integration was a monumental undertaking,” she remarked. “But, from the beginning, the spirit of partnership, dedication and shared sacrifice exemplifies the excellence that defines our weapon support team.” She singled out operations directors Chrissy Schall in Columbus and Chris Collins in Richmond for leadership through the change. “Chris and Chrissy each would tell you that this transformation has been about the team and the people supporting them, but I assure you that we would not be as well-positioned for success were it not for the efforts of these two specific leaders,” Treanor said. Both received the agency’s McNamara Icon Award.

Simerly said the new command will drive performance gains as it matures. “This new command will build upon the powerful legacies of its predecessors to deliver enhanced readiness and lethality to our warfighters across the globe through improved performance,” Simerly said. “The expertise, partnerships, and mission focus that have lived here for decades now anchor a command built for the future.”