Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support Ensures U.S. Military Enjoys the Best Holiday Fare on Christmas

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 20, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Though their surroundings may look different than grandma's house, more than 140,000 U.S. service members around the world will dine on familiar fare this Christmas later this month, as part of the country's commitment to support our war-fighters. For the second time in as many months in Iraq and Afghanistan, American service members will sit down to turkey, ham, shrimp, mashed potatoes and vegetables, finished off with a variety of items to tempt a sweet tooth.    

Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support ramped up its planning efforts back in the early part of spring to have 244,000 pounds of turkey, 112,000 pounds of beef, 8,600 cans of sweet potatoes, 47,000 cakes and pies as well as all the other trimmings needed for the perfect holiday meal.  Complete meals are delivered to over 200 dining facilities and distribution points.  

"We cannot do enough to show our appreciation for our brave men and women in uniform who sacrifice so much for the freedoms we Americans enjoy," said Richard Ellis, acting commander of DLA Troop Support.  "Providing them with traditional holiday meals is of paramount importance.  Since these service members can't be at home for the holidays, we do our very best to bring a taste of home to them."

DLA Troop Support has a dedicated team of professionals who are committed every year to ensuring that deployed service members enjoy the very best in holiday foods on Christmas day.

As the Department of Defense's combat logistics 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 about 1,900 weapon systems. DLA's business revenues were nearly $41 billion in Fiscal Year 2010. For more information about DLA, go to www.dla.mil or www.facebook.com/dla.mil.

SOURCE Defense Logistics Agency