Joint review signals milestone in DLA supply chain overhaul

Leaders and specialists from Defense Logistics Agency Weapons Support in Columbus, Ohio, and Richmond, Virginia, wrapped up a two-day “pulse check” aimed at tightening coordination as the new major subordinate command moves toward final operating capability. The review sessions took place April 13 at Defense Supply Center Richmond and April 16 at Defense Supply Center Columbus.

The meetings are part of a wider restructuring to bring DLA’s aviation, land and maritime Class IX lines under a single command. Class IX covers the repair parts and components that keep military equipment and weapon systems running, from basic hardware to complex assemblies.

“We are in a very challenging transition, combining two commands into one. We are very much in the midst of that process right now,” DLA Director Army Lt. Gen. Mark Simerly said. “In many ways, we’re ‘making sausage,’ and that process is not always the prettiest or most pleasant. I want to acknowledge that it is challenging for many of you.” He tied the overhaul to shifting demands on the force and recent global events. “Part of why the agency has to change is the changing environment, changing nature of warfare, the changing nature of each of the services and their weapon systems,” he said. “If you doubt that things are changing, then I know that the last six weeks in Iran have given you ample evidence to understand how things are fundamentally different than they were.” He also cited risks to supply chains as a reason the status quo is untenable.

Brig. Gen. Patrick Launey, who commands DLA Weapons Support in Richmond, stressed the urgency of the mission. “The work the teams across Weapons Support do every day is of the utmost consequence right now,” he said. “They are engaging with services, looking at the supplier base, thinking about resourcing, literally down to the maintainer needing a part to generate a mission.” He said the effort balances today’s requirements with long-term readiness, as the team finalizes the integrated command’s blueprint.

Earlier this month, the agency named Columbus as the headquarters for the unified organization. Navy Rear Adm. Julie Treanor, commander of DLA Weapons Support in Columbus, is slated to lead the new command after it reaches full operating capability. She said the team is advancing work on the financial structure and organizational design by adopting proven practices from both locations, with plans to stand up integrated teams, standardize processes and set performance metrics. “I hope people see their voices in our final construct,” Treanor said. “By redefining how we operate, we are driving our own destiny.”

The quarterly review delved into data and analytics, artificial intelligence use cases, accuracy of planned support, financial alignment, delinquent contract trends, stock positioning, and exercising operational capabilities. Amanda Bangs, a co-lead for the Class IX strategy effort, outlined a new focus area. “This framework is focused on the vulnerabilities and opportunities that we saw from a storage and transportation perspective that really fit into the Class IX stock positioning strategy,” she said. From the Columbus team, Jamieson Duvall examined delinquent contract lines and inventory placement, and highlighted a governance priority: “I am all for us ingesting more data. I am all for us using more data to execute, but I believe that the ownership of that data must be fundamentally governmental,” Duvall asserted.

Cultural integration featured prominently throughout the sessions. DLA Vice Director Brad Bunn said the merger is accelerating both operational and cultural change. “When this started, I would say that there were two different dialects: a Columbus dialect and a Richmond dialect,” Bunn said. “I have seen real, material progress in how the teams have come together … I think we’ve reached the point of irreversible momentum.” Treanor called the joint session a marker of that progress. “I believe this meeting, and the way we are briefing it, represents one of the small wins on our journey to integrate the commands,” she said. Launey added his thanks to the workforce: “It is just tremendous work by the team,” Launey noted.

Simerly urged leaders to build a shared culture that preserves unique strengths while standardizing where possible and empowering decision-making. He closed by commending the collaborative dynamic on display. “I really appreciate the dialog,” Simerly said, complementing the group on the duality of the sessions. “I would say it’s very encouraging to see the level of collaboration you all have achieved. What just happened … was natural. Working, problem-solving, thinking and operating as a combined team.”