Defense Logistics Agency Provides Christmas Meals to U.S. Military, Federal Partners in Iraq, Afghanistan

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Service members deployed to Afghanistan, troops en route to the United States from Iraq and Department of State employees deployed there, will dine on traditional holiday fare this Christmas, thanks to the efforts of America's combat logistics support agency.

Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support employees began planning as early as May to ensure holiday meal deliveries to more than 270 locations throughout those countries and Kuwait.  

The deliveries included: 119,600 pounds of turkey; 12,300 pounds of stuffing; 49,200 pounds of ham; 97,375 pounds of beef; 42,860 pounds of sweet potatoes; 7,350 gallons of eggnog; 34,240 pies; 19,400 pounds of cranberry sauce; 24,000 pounds of shrimp and many other holiday staples.      

"This is an historic time for our military," said Navy Rear Adm. David Baucom, DLA Troop Support commander. "Since 2003, we have provided holiday meals in Iraq to ensure our service members could enjoy a small slice of home. I'm pleased we'll be able to continue that support for our partners at the State Department who will continue to assist the growing democracy."

While U.S. military forces are wrapping up their mission in Iraq and the Department of State continues its work in the region, one aspect of their daily lives is already being taken care of -- DLA Troop Support's Subsistence supply chain is in place to support their meals. 

DLA Troop Support has a team of employees dedicated to ensuring that deployed service members and other federal partners throughout the world can experience festive meals throughout each holiday season, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and even the Super Bowl. 

As a Department of Defense combat support agency, DLA provides the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, other federal agencies, and joint and allied forces with a variety of logistics, acquisition and technical services. The agency sources and provides nearly 100 percent of the consumable items America's military forces need to operate, from food, fuel and energy, to uniforms, medical supplies, and construction and barrier equipment. DLA also supplies more than 80 percent of the military's spare parts.

Headquartered at Fort Belvoir, Va., DLA has about 27,000 employees worldwide and supports more than 2,178 weapon systems. For more information about DLA, go to www.dla.mil, www.facebook.com/dla.mil or http://twitter.com/dlamil.

SOURCE Defense Logistics Agency