# DLA Distribution San Diego supports Third Fleet ships during COVID-19 

/ Published June 5, 2020
SAN DIEGO, Calif., 
The Defense Logistics Agency’s continuous, on-time deliveries of personal protective equipment, medical supplies and spare parts to deployed ships have been reliable constants during the COVID-19 pandemic, said a U.S. Third Fleet leader.

                Defense Logistics Agency Distribution San Diego, California, provides daily delivery support to USNS Mercy in support of COVID-19 operations in the Port of Los Angeles, California.                            DLA Distribution San Diego supports Third Fleet ships during COVID-19                            Defense Logistics Agency Distribution San Diego, California, provides daily delivery support to USNS Mercy in support of COVID-19 operations in the Port of Los Angeles, California.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Annette SilvaVIRIN: 200604-D-D0441-0003

“We could not have asked for better service from DLA,” Navy Rear Adm. Ken Blackmon, the fleet’s deputy commander, said of the agency’s support to ships like the USNS Mercy.

The DLA Distribution San Diego, California, team arranged daily truck deliveries of critical supplies for the first 10 days after the USNS Mercy docked in Los Angeles, enabling medical staff to quickly provide care.

“With five days’ notice, the crew and medical treatment facility personnel readied their teams and the ship to head to Los Angeles. At the same time, DDDC developed a comprehensive plan to provide immediate service to the ship,” said Navy Capt. Julie Hunter, a Third Fleet logistician.

After the initial supply push, DDDC made three deliveries each week to the USNS Mercy until it left LA May 15 for its home port in San Diego. Overall, the ship received more than 100 pallets of 6,250-plus medical supplies, medications and other items.

                A slide from a presentation regarding DLA Distribution return to work efforts.                            DLA Distribution San Diego supports Third Fleet ships during COVID-19                            A slide from a presentation regarding DLA Distribution return to work efforts.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: DLA Distribution Public AffairsVIRIN: 200604-D-D0441-0001

Daily collaboration with DLA supply chain managers and Navy logisticians enabled DDDC employees to meet high-demands for masks, gloves, sanitization items and repair parts while ensuring deliveries complied with security and delivery requirements of the Port of Los Angeles.

DDDC also supported other ships visiting, deployed to or based in San Diego during the pandemic. To reduce potential spread of the virus among ship crews, distribution process workers introduced a touchless signature process for those receiving deliveries and added protective overwrap to pallets. And DDDC used its existing distribution network to provide personal protective equipment and digital thermometers to San Diego-based ships.

                Defense Logistics Agency Distribution San Diego, California, employees are provided face coverings, cleaning and disinfection stations, and Plexiglas shields to protect them from COVID-19.                            DLA Distribution San Diego supports Third Fleet ships during COVID-19                            Defense Logistics Agency Distribution San Diego, California, employees are provided face coverings, cleaning and disinfection stations, and Plexiglas shields to protect them from COVID-19.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: DLA Distribution Public AffairsVIRIN: 200604-D-D0441-0002

About 380 shipments of personal protective equipment, cleaning supplies, medical equipment and repair parts were also sent to the USS Theodore Roosevelt in Guam through DDDC’s global transportation networks. In addition, almost 3,100 types of material were provided to the USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group for deployment preparations, and the USS Makin Island’s Expeditionary Strike Group received 5,077 item types.

Regular repair, maintenance and equipment modernization remained a priority, as well, with Fleet Readiness Center Southwest receiving a monthly average of 1,600 receipts and 7,000 issues. The team’s continuous support helped protect sailors, said Navy Capt. Mark Nieswiadomy, Naval Base San Diego commander.

“Staying true to form, DLA Distribution San Diego ‘delivered’ every time I needed support,” he said.

DDDC officials developed a local COVID-19 Personnel Health Protection and Customer Interaction Response Plan that coincided with HPCON levels to protect employees, transportation providers and customers. Safety measures included face masks, cleaning and disinfection stations, and Plexiglas shields in customer interaction areas. Telework and cleaning and sanitization of workspaces were also increased.