Courtesy Photo | DLA Troop Support commander Navy Rear Adm. David Baucom (right) is greeted by Brain...... read more read more
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FORT BELVOIR, Va. - For the first time since assuming command of Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support in July, Navy Rear Adm. David Baucom met with employees, customers and key partners throughout Germany, Sept. 27-29.
Baucom, escorted by Army Col. Thomas Murphree III, commander of DLA Troop Support Europe and Africa, made stops at a number of locations both within the DLA enterprise and to outside industry allies to build upon established partnerships, explore future business opportunities and meet with current DLA Troop Support employees.
DLA Troop Support Europe and Africa gives forward presence support to all four supply chains.
At DLA Europe and Africa, Baucom received briefings from the organization’s commander, Army Col. Joseph Ladner, and deputy commander, Adriaan Adendorff.
With warfighter support as their main focus, the leaders discussed various logistical issues, and the DLA Troop Support Europe and Africa team was applauded for working so well alongside the DLA Europe and Africa team, Baucom said.
“The biggest thing when Admiral Baucom visited was his pledge to Col. Ladner of continued, timely support, pledging his entire team to us and to help personally whenever he could,” Adendorff said.
DLA Europe and Africa is a DLA interface for European and African command warfighters, connecting to other DLA activities in Europe and the continental United States for logistical solutions.
Additionally, Baucom visited and toured DLA Distribution Europe, led by its commander, Army Lt. Col. Andre Baldanza.
According to its website, DDE is DLA’s leading center for distribution. It is one of 25 sites throughout the world responsible for the receipt, storage, issues, packing, preservation and transportation of more than 4 million items.
Baucom said he was intrigued by the support DDE gives to warfighters across the globe and its partnership with DLA Troop Support.
“I learned about the excellent distribution operations throughout Europe and other theaters of engagement worldwide,” Baucom stated.
After visiting DLA Europe and Africa and DDE, Baucom said he was overall pleased at learning how the mission and vision of DLA resonates through its various organizations.
“We are DLA,” Baucom said. “The team is working very well together to support the warfighter. DLA Troop Support is truly a most important part of a finely tuned machine. Every member of the DLA team in Europe believes it can be done.”
Another facet of Baucom’s European visit was to meet some of DLA Troop Support’s major industry partners.
Baucom travelled to the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Center-Europe to receive an orientation on the mission and functions of the organization, as well as a tour of the production and distribution areas.
USAMMCE processes about $200 million in sales from DLA Troop Support’s medical pharmaceutical and medical/surgical contract, said Army Lt. Col. Christopher Todd, USAMMCE chief of distribution and transportation.
“We were grateful for the chance to brief [Baucom] on the opportunities presented and the challenges faced by USAMMCE in providing medical materiel support to both peacetime and operational health care in three different combatant commands,” Todd said.
He added that the support the Medical supply chain provides is critical to USAMMCE’s mission success.
Baucom also met with Steven Bernett, director of logistics programs and operations for the NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency.
In accordance with the commander’s 90-day plan, the meeting with NAMSA was very productive with regards to expanding business opportunities, Baucom said.
“We are achieving success in partnering to make improvements to several dining facilities in Afghanistan, and we are working closely to expand some new opportunities in our medical supply chain,” he stated.
Bernett expressed the importance of the collaboration between DLA Troop Support and NAMSA.
“DLA Troop Support is a significant partner with NAMSA and Rear Admiral Baucom’s visit today continues this strong relationship,” Bernett. said
Workforce development was also a focus of Baucom’s visit to Europe.
During a town hall meeting, Baucom spoke with employees of DLA Troop Support Europe and Africa. He said he was impressed by the level of commitment and dedication of the workforce.
The DLA Troop Support Europe and Africa team maintains the same attitude, optimism and patriotism of the Philadelphia workforce, Baucom said.
“Every person I’ve met on our DLA Troop Support team is excited to provide the very best support to our warfighters,” Baucom said.
Murphree said he was encouraged by what took place during Baucom’s visit.
“It was inspiring to observe the admiral with us here as he met with our dedicated workforce, our agency partners and some of our customers,” he said.
Having the full resources of the entire Troop Support organization cements an effective relationship, promoting better warfighter support, Murphree said.
“This means a lot to motivating the members of Troop Support Europe and Africa to look even further for ways they can exceed their customer’s expectations,” he concluded.
Baucom expressed his appreciation to Murphree and his staff for helping navigate these partnership opportunities.
As a final stop during his trip, Baucom visited the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial, where Gen. George Patton and more than 5,000 U.S. soldiers, from World War II are buried.
“The visit to the cemetery made me all the more proud to be an American and to work at DLA Troop Support with our dedicated and patriotic employees,” the commander stated.
Note: Larry Levine, Mikia Muhammad, Dena Selkow and Nick Sistrun contributed to this article.
| Date Taken: | 10.04.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 10.05.2011 11:01 |
| Story ID: | 78055 |
| Location: | FORT BELVOIR, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 325 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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