Assistant Secretary of War for Sustainment visits DLA Distribution

Defense Logistics Agency Distribution hosted the Honorable Brian Birdwell, Assistant Secretary of War for Sustainment, and Air Force Maj. Gen. David Sanford, director, DLA Logistics Operations, for a strategic discussion on the global logistics network supporting joint forces Aug. 13 at the organization headquarters in New Cumberland.

The engagement highlighted how the command equips and maintains U.S. and allied forces across every operating theater. Command leaders provided Birdwell with an overview of DLA Distribution's capabilities, emphasizing the speed, reliability and strategic depth required to maintain readiness at the tactical edge.

"As much as I enjoyed my time in the Texas Legislature, professionally I'm back home here among the warrior class," Birdwell said. "I'm honored to be among you all. Thank you for all you do to be tactically and professionally proficient at what you do."

Confirmed to his current post in May, Birdwell serves as the principal logistics official for the War Department, a role that includes direct oversight of DLA. He is a retired U.S. Army officer who served 20 years in field artillery and quartermaster assignments.

Throughout the briefings, DLA Distribution leaders emphasized how their global network directly sustains forward-deployed troops with critical supplies, repair parts and equipment. Sanford expanded on this enterprise footprint, noting that as the agency responsible for managing nine critical supply chains supporting more than 2,300 distinct weapon systems, DLA's strategic reach extends far beyond standard support functions to serve as a direct instrument of national force projection.

The visit also covered the command's modernization priorities, ongoing efforts to ensure audit compliance across the enterprise, and updates on stabilizing the Warehouse Management System.

"Our modernizing efforts, from refining the Warehouse Management System to enhancing our audit posture, are entirely focused on one end state, warfighter readiness," said Army Brig. Gen. Kevin Cotman, commanding general, DLA Distribution. "Every modernization milestone we reach directly translates to faster, more reliable logistics delivery at the tactical edge."

Following the headquarters discussion, Birdwell toured the Eastern Distribution Center at DLA Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania. As a primary hub for the War Department, the 1.7-million-square-foot facility provided Birdwell an opportunity to see the daily receiving, processing, and shipping operations in action.

During the visit Birdwell presented coins to Jim Howard and Dave Creznic for their outstanding support. On behalf of DLA Director Army Lt. Gen. Mark Simerly, Sanford presented DLA director's coins to Missy Wright, Matt Merrill, and James Weber.