# PA Military Community Enhancement Commission, DCED see DLA modernization

/ Published May 20, 2022
NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa., 
Defense Logistics Agency Distribution is modernizing the way they do business, the leadership team told representatives from the Pennsylvania Military Community Enhancement Commission and Department of Community and Economic Development April 28, at its headquarters in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania.

Our commission strives to make the 12 Pennsylvania installations innovative,” said Navy Rear Adm. Nancy Lescavage, retired, PMEC executive director.

As Joe Faris, DLA Distribution’s Business Development director, led the group through a command overview brief, he highlighted the transformation of processes through a new warehouse management system, modernizing equipment and infrastructure and incorporating wireless and mobile technologies to reduce cost and improve performance.

Rob Montefour, site manager for the installation, described the installation’s modernization efforts, including a partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to study the electrical microgrid for resiliency and electric vehicle charging stations.

                Navy Rear Adm. Nancy Lescavage, retired, executive director of the Pennsylvania Military Enhancement Commission, center, along with her PMEC teammates and leadership from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, visit Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, for a tour of the modernization efforts, April 28, 2022. Army Col. Trent Conner, fourth from right, DDSP commander and Paul Finn, third from left, discussed modernization updates with the group.                            PA Military Community Enhancement Commission, DCED see DLA modernization                            Navy Rear Adm. Nancy Lescavage, retired, executive director of the Pennsylvania Military Enhancement Commission, center, along with her PMEC teammates and leadership from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, visit Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, for a tour of the modernization efforts, April 28, 2022. Army Col. Trent Conner, fourth from right, DDSP commander and Paul Finn, third from left, discussed modernization updates with the group.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Dawn BonsellVIRIN: 220428-D-KL823-9469

“Over the past decade, DLA has strengthened the site infrastructure with a new wastewater treatment plant, central heat plant, water tower and communications building. This crucial utility investment ensures efficient operations behind the scenes, allowing DLA to continue to build on a rock solid foundation,” said Montefour.

A driving tour of the installation followed by a walking tour of the $200 million modernization effort at the Eastern Distribution Center gave the visitors a chance to see the demolition and installation of a new automated receiving platform that will lead material to an automated buffer system, then to a seven-story storage area, controlled by artificial intelligence.

The effort will triple the number of items picked each hour, provide employees with a more ergonomic work environment and improve order accuracy.Faris also described the evolving workload – now supporting not only the military services and combatant commands, but also whole of government partners like FEMA, the Veterans Administration and Health and Human Services Department.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, DLA Distribution has provided critical medical equipment, personal protective equipment, vaccines and test kits to overseas warfighters and WOG partners.

“Over one million doses of vaccines have been sent to 35 countries without a single loss,” said Army Col. Trent Conner, commander, DLA Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania.

In addition, DLA Distribution has been working with the U.S. Postal Service, to pack and distribute more than 514 million free White House COVID-19 at-home tests to American households, all while the agency continues to support the warfighter.

                Navy Rear Adm. Nancy Lescavage, retired, executive director of the Pennsylvania Military Enhancement Commission, left, and Joe Cassel, Marine Corps Col., retired, PMEC commissioner, hear about the modernization of the Eastern Distribution Center from Tim Kosky, far right, at Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, April 28, 2022.                            PA Military Community Enhancement Commission, DCED see DLA modernization                            Navy Rear Adm. Nancy Lescavage, retired, executive director of the Pennsylvania Military Enhancement Commission, left, and Joe Cassel, Marine Corps Col., retired, PMEC commissioner, hear about the modernization of the Eastern Distribution Center from Tim Kosky, far right, at Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, April 28, 2022.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Dawn BonsellVIRIN: 220428-D-KL823-9454