DLA launches orientation course to bolster nuclear mission readiness

The Defense Logistics Agency’s Nuclear and Space Enterprise Office convened a two-day Nuclear Enterprise Orientation Course in back-to-back sessions May 19-20 and 21-22, aiming to sharpen the nuclear literacy of personnel who support the mission across the agency. The classified program offered an executive-level overview of the Air Force nuclear enterprise.

In opening remarks, DLA Logistics Operations director Air Force Maj. Gen. David Sanford stressed the scale and stakes of the agency’s role, noting the organization records roughly $800 million in annual sales tied to the nuclear enterprise and serves as a backstop for the nation’s land-, air- and sea-based forces. “At the end of the day, it’s a no-fail mission,” Sanford said.

Delivered by a mobile education team, the course targeted employees who work with nuclear weapons and systems but may have limited prior exposure. Sessions covered nuclear weapons management, security practices, safety oversight and nuclear surety programs.

Instructor Ian Kurtz said moving from conventional logistics to nuclear sustainment requires a mindset shift and an appreciation for the enterprise’s distinct culture, grounding students in the fundamentals of deterrence and its purpose. “We’re using nuclear weapons every day in order to keep the peace,” Kurtz said.

Dwayne Briscoe, senior logistics operations strategist for DLA’s Nuclear and Space Enterprise Office, described the orientation as a cornerstone for building a cohesive, informed workforce. “A zero-defect culture is mandatory across the agency because supply chain integrity dictates weapon system reliability,” Briscoe said. “Regardless of their specific billet, every employee actively manages strategic risk; a single acquisition or sustainment anomaly can cascade into a mission-critical failure for the National Command Authority.”

Sanford also emphasized that DLA’s support extends well beyond highly classified components. An enterprise review recently underscored the importance of common items—such as cotton gloves and specialized personal protective equipment—to the daily operations of launch control facilities, bombers and submarines. If those materials are not coded and prioritized correctly in the supply chain, he cautioned, the mission could be put at risk.

By standardizing this baseline education, DLA leadership aims to reinforce the gravity of the materiel the agency acquires, sustains and transports. “Institutionalizing nuclear surety principles builds enterprise-wide supply chain resilience,” Briscoe said. “A workforce educated on these protocols proactively identifies vulnerabilities, mitigates risk and executes flawless sustainment. This rigorous operational discipline directly guarantees the safety, security and immediate readiness of the (War Department’s) strategic deterrent forces.”