# Operations stayed strong during 2020

/ Published Dec. 21, 2020
BATTLE CREEK, Mich., 
While many businesses had to close or reduce their normal work this year, Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services operations continued to meet warfighter needs as sites around the world received and processed millions of excess items worth billions of dollars.

“This year has been has like no other I have experienced in my career,” said Operations Director Arthur Welsh.

With all the closures, modified workforces and the protective measures needed to ensure employee safety Welsh said he knew there would be an impact. Yet, when the year-end numbers were released and compared to the command’s Dynamic Operating Plan, he noted how two figures stood out to him. Those numbers were the amount of receipts and customer wait time.

“For receipts we achieved 83.4% of our goal and reduced wait times by 2.2 days,” Welsh said.  “That is phenomenal and a direct result of the dedication and superior performance of people at the field sites.”

Additional data from the Operations Directorate showed DLA Disposition Services processed receipts for excess, obsolete, or unserviceable items worth $2.2 million. They also received 22.6 million pieces with a total weight of 253.7 million pounds and an acquisition value of $24.5 billion. In the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program alone, DLA personnel processed 1,499 receipts valued at $825,000.

Working with the Business Support Directorate, Operations personnel helped roll out a new Hazardous Materials Management System. Operators used that system to receive and coordinate disposal for $75.2 million pounds of hazardous waste.

The Reutilization, Transfer and Donation Program staff equipped emergency services and first responder personnel with $871,000 worth of items to deal with the aftermath of hurricanes and natural disasters. They also helped locate and distribute more than $28 million of medical equipment and supplies to help battle COVID-19.  Cassandra Gilbert, an RTD Office staffer said the work reminds her of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is ‘What are you doing for others?’”                 One of the 47 splints that recently went to Arkansas’ Rural Fire Protection program Sept. 30 from Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services at Fort Riley, Kansas.                            Splints to the rescue                            One of the 47 splints that recently went to Arkansas’ Rural Fire Protection program Sept. 30 from Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services at Fort Riley, Kansas.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Olivia StandridgeVIRIN: 200930-D-D0441-211: 

“When we are able to provide excess Department of Defense property to agencies like the U.S. Agency for International Development, it answers that question for us. We are helping save lives,’’ Gilbert said.

Law Enforcement Support Office staff members processed requisitions valued at approximately $250 million of excess property in support of law enforcement agencies. Many of the LESO-provided items also help provide disaster relief and assistance to those dealing with the pandemic. Among the items are former Navy electrical generators received by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement at the start of hurricane season. An FDLE employee noted the department has received other items through the program that have been beneficial to their mission. 

Total RTD transactions for 2020 reached 111,000 requisitions, managing 2.7 million pieces with total acquisition value of $1.7 billion. Military services submitted 28,000 requisitions to reuse 650,000 pieces to get more return on investment for property with an acquisition value of $972 million.