Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime wins Award for Installation Excellence

COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 22, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced this week that Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime was one of five winners of the 2013 Commander in Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence.

"Associates of this center have a proud tradition of excellence. Not only are they now a seven-time winner of the Commander in Chief's Award for Installation Excellence, they set a high standard throughout the Defense Logistics Agency that separates them from the rest, said DLA Land and Maritime Commander Navy Rear Adm. (select) David Pimpo.

"It is the hallmark of excellence that has allowed us to achieve the success that we celebrate today," he said. "It means that we are committed to sustaining high levels of performance from every part of our mission, from contract specialists, to supply technicians, to those who serve on contingency teams on the front lines, to those who maintain this installation and keep us safe. And the bottom line is that [Defense Supply Center Columbus, Ohio] associates are focused on meeting the readiness demands of the warfighter," Pimpo said.

DLA Land and Maritime Deputy Commander James McClaugherty also expressed his appreciation to the workforce.

"This is the seventh time in 21 years we have won this award; leaders change, but this incredible workforce persistently excels," he said. "This recognition is yet another affirmation of our associates' sustained commitment to excellence in support of our men and women in uniform."

DLA Land and Maritime was recognized for its focus on performance, transformation, culture and its warfighter support providing logistic solutions to critical supply requirements.

In addition, the installation was cited for its sales and operational planning implementation, Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle sustainment program management, and the innovative actions taken to decrease backordered items.

DLA Land and Maritime also demonstrated its commitment to installation quality of life through its Employee Assistance, Family Advocacy Program, and Equal Employment Opportunity Programs, which the Department of Defense and DLA have consistently ranked highly. DSCC's recertification as a Voluntary Protection Program Star Site by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration demonstrates the installation's continuous improvement in safety programs.

The other winners this year are U.S. Army Garrison Fort Rucker, Ala.; Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif.; Naval Support Activity Panama City, Panama City Beach, Fla.; and Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, Miss.

The Commander in Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence recognizes the outstanding and innovative efforts of the people who operate and maintain U.S. military installations. The five recipients of this highly competitive presidential award were selected for their exemplary support of Department of Defense missions, according to a Defense Department news release.

Installation excellence enables better mission performance and enhances the quality of life for service members and their families. Each winning installation succeeded in providing excellent working, housing and recreational conditions, the release stated.

Each winning installation will receive a commemorative commander in chief's award trophy and flag, along with a congratulatory letter from the president.

As a Department of Defense combat support agency, DLA provides the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, other federal agencies, and combined 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 85 percent of the military's spare parts.

Headquartered at Fort Belvoir, Va., DLA has about 27,000 employees worldwide and supports nearly 2,300 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