As the warfighters’ needs evolve to meet the changing demands of today, so too have the way these needs are met. Though formally established in 1961, the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) can trace its roots to World War II. Since its inception, DLA has played a significant, and ever increasing, role in support of U.S. defense operations around the world—meeting the needs of the warfighter. “It was formed,” explains Vice Admiral Alan Thompson, director DLA, “to consolidate similar logistics functions from each of the military services—Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps—into a single Department of Defense logistics provider.”

As this single logistics provider, DLA has sought to supply the warfighter faster and more efficiently, filled with nearly every consumable used by U.S. military forces around the globe. “We provide a wide array of support,” describes Thompson, “1,600 weapon systems, 84 percent of the spare parts that support U.S. armed forces, including nearly 100 percent of support for fuel, food, other energy, medical supplies, uniforms, construction equipment, and a wide variety of different commodities.” In addition, DLA also manages th reutilization and disposal of surplus military assets. It offer supply chain services that encompass storage and distribution, as well as humanitarian support at home or abroad.