DLA team officially opens Building 47, ushering a new era of warfighter support

The Defense Logistics Agency team at Defense Supply Center Richmond reached a historic milestone Oct. 22 as military leaders, civilian personnel, installation tenants and other distinguished visitors gathered for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony of Building 47.

The event celebrated the completion of a major military construction endeavor more than a decade in the making, delivering an expansive, state-of-the-art operational facility designed to modernize workplace infrastructure and accelerate logistics support for American warfighters worldwide.

Presiding over the ceremony were Navy Rear Adm. Julie Treanor, commander of Defense Logistics Agency Weapons Support, and David Gibson, site director of DLA Installation Management at DSCR.

For decades, the civilian and military workforce tasked with sustaining the armed forces operated from converted World War II-era warehouses scattered throughout the installation, said Treanor. Originally designed to hold wooden crates and paper ledgers, those legacy facilities required generations of logisticians to constantly adapt aging physical footprints to meet the expanding technological demands of modern military logistics.

Addressing the audience gathered outside the new facility, Treanor recognized that resilience and highlighted the strategic purpose underpinning the new headquarters.

"And while we celebrate the steel, concrete and technology around us today - this building is about far more than brick and mortar," she said. "It is about readiness."

Treanor reflected on the long road to completion, acknowledging that there were plenty of days when employees genuinely wondered whether this ribbon cutting or their first retirement check would arrive first. Yet, through every shift, relocation, and disruption, she stressed, the workforce remained focused on the mission and never let down the warfighter.

"We aren't just moving into a new building; we are taking a generational leap forward," she said. "This state-of-the-art facility stands five stories tall and spans over 277,000 square feet, bringing nearly 1,700 of our professionals together under one modern roof."

Built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver environmental standards - a nationally and globally recognized green building certification tier developed by the U.S. Green Building Council under the LEED rating - the complex balances expansive operational capacity with sustainable resource stewardship, Treanor shared. The modern design is projected to reduce overall energy consumption by 30% and decrease ongoing maintenance costs by 25%, generating roughly $700,000 in recurring annual savings for American taxpayers.

Beyond physical dimensions and cost reductions, Treanor stressed that the facility's true worth lies in its human impact. The facility provides Weapons Support workforce with a modern, unified working environment, integrating joint logistics, acquisition and engineering specialists who previously operated in fragmented locations across the center.

"This is the next critical step in our evolution toward a fully unified Weapons Support Command," Treanor said. "When a critical weapon system is down on the other side of the world, our integrated teams can now leverage these secure networks to troubleshoot, source and deliver solutions together in real-time."

She noted that this enhanced interconnectivity represents true decision advantage in action, enabling specialists to rapidly troubleshoot supply disruptions and ensure military aircraft, combat ships, and ground vehicles preserve their decisive operational edge.

The path to Thursday's ceremony was forged through more than a decade of planning, resource allocation, and interagency collaboration. In his welcoming address, David Gibson walked attendees through the long journey required to transform the initial project concept into a completed headquarters.

The effort officially began more than 12 years ago, when initial project funding was appropriated in 2014. Since then, the site underwent a complete physical and infrastructural transformation.

"Military construction projects are never easy, but what a project this was, a true test of vision, patience and endurance," Gibson said. "But as I often say, perseverance pays off."

Gibson noted that the construction team navigated unprecedented hurdles along the way, including the global COVID-19 pandemic, severe regional labor shortages, international supply chain delays, and historic cost escalations. Overcoming those roadblocks required creative problem-solving, focused dedication, and a close working partnership between the installation, DLA headquarters and the construction team.

Both leaders extended personal gratitude to the partners responsible for guiding the project through its final stages. Treanor commended Chris Price, resident engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Central Virginia Area Office, thanking him and his team for their technical prowess, leadership on the ground, and relentless dedication. Treanor also recognized DLA Weapons Support Deputy Commander Steve Kinskie for his steady guidance in preparing the workforce to transition into this new operational era, as well as Gibson's tireless oversight in bringing the facility out of the ground.

Gibson expressed deep pride in the DLA Installation Management Richmond team, emphasizing that the local staff took personal ownership of the project and remained fully committed to delivering a premier facility for the defense logistics mission.

As the ceremony concluded, Treanor issued a direct charge to the personnel occupying Building 47.

"I charge each of you to leverage this new operational platform to its absolute limit," Treanor said. "Take ownership of this space. Collaborate, challenge the status quo, lean on each other's expertise, and take pride in knowing that what you do under this roof safeguards freedom across the globe."

The ribbon cutting carries added significance as Defense Supply Center Richmond approaches its 85th anniversary this coming January. For 85 years, the installation and its workforce have stood dedicated to supporting the warfighter. Building 47 ensures that legacy of mission readiness and operational excellence will continue to thrive in Richmond for generations to come.