# Logistics operations director visits DLA sites in Hampton Roads, Hawaii 

/ Published Oct. 24, 2022
FORT BELVOIR, Va., 
The Defense Logistics Agency’s director of logistics operations travelled to Portsmouth, Virginia, and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Oct. 16-20, visiting two of the Navy’s four public shipyards with senior Defense Department and Navy leaders.

                Brian Sessoms, a receiving distribution process worker at DLA Distribution Norfolk, Virginia, explains the receipt process using the Distribution Standard System to Navy Rear Adm. Doug Noble, director of DLA Logistics Operations, and Christopher Lowman, assistant secretary of defense for sustainment, during a visit to DLA and Navy sites in Hampton Roads, Virginia, Oct. 18, 2022. Noble and Lowman toured DLA and Navy sites to get a better understanding of sustainment processes at Norfolk Navy Shipyard and DLA Distribution Norfolk.                            221018-D-XX999-001                            Brian Sessoms, a receiving distribution process worker at DLA Distribution Norfolk, Virginia, explains the receipt process using the Distribution Standard System to Navy Rear Adm. Doug Noble, director of DLA Logistics Operations, and Christopher Lowman, assistant secretary of defense for sustainment, during a visit to DLA and Navy sites in Hampton Roads, Virginia, Oct. 18, 2022. Noble and Lowman toured DLA and Navy sites to get a better understanding of sustainment processes at Norfolk Navy Shipyard and DLA Distribution Norfolk.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Courtesy PhotoVIRIN: 221018-D-XX999-001Navy Rear Adm. Doug Noble started his week of travel at Norfolk Naval Shipyard with Christopher Lowman, assistant secretary of defense for sustainment, to highlight DLA’s efforts providing repair parts support to the Navy at its oldest and largest industrial facility.

“The DLA team, with members from DLA Land and Maritime as well as DLA Distribution, has done a lot of great work partnering with our Navy shipmates to improve material support. We specifically focused on opportunities for IT modernization and implementation of robust process metrics to maximize support to warfighter readiness,” said Noble, who also heads DLA’s joint regional combat support. 

Lowman and Noble toured dry dock facilities with submarines undergoing maintenance and observed DLA Distribution Portsmouth’s warehouse support, drawing the connection to DLA’s support to Navy maintenance.

Warfighter support remained the focus of Noble’s travels as he flew to Oahu, Hawaii, for engagements with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Army and Navy logistics leaders on the island. The engagements were an opportunity to ensure DLA is aligned with warfighter priorities in DOD’s largest area of responsibility. 

The defueling of the Red Hill fuel facility and the alignment of Navy Code 500 and DLA personnel at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard were two topics of interest. Code 500 is the Navy’s designation for the supply department at a naval shipyard. Noble and Navy Rear Adm. Ken Epps, commander of Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, toured Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard to see how Navy and DLA teams work together to support requirements at the industrial site.

“It’s critical to ensure DLA and the Navy are on the same page as we work together to improve material support in the shipyards,” Noble said. “We have to be one team to ensure best-in-class maintenance for the world’s premier maritime force.”

He also held a town hall with local DLA employees to share insights about DLA’s priorities and hear their thoughts.