By Dawn Bonsell, Public Affairs, Defense Logistics Agency Distribution
Since March, the organization has shipped to worldwide troops over 15 million face coverings, 34,000 exam gloves, 54,000 bottles of hand sanitizer, 27,000 thermometers, 11,000 Tyvek suits, 1,600 boxes of testing swabs, 600 COVID-19 test kits and 350 oxygen tanks, as well as 65,000 heat-and-serve meals.
DLA Distribution also worked with U.S. Northern Command to ship over 100,000 human remains pouches and 1.3 million shelf stable
meals to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which leads the federal response to COVID-19 in the continental United States.
Protecting employees and maintaining mission readiness during the Whole-of-Government effort have remained priorities for DLA and Defense Department leaders since the onset of the pandemic. DLA Distribution provided face coverings to its 10,000 employees at U.S. and overseas distribution centers and expanded facility cleanliness with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Social distancing measures such as telework and the use of virtual applications were also adopted to mitigate disease spread.
Matthew Woodruff, a general supply specialist with DLA Distribution San Joaquin, California (DDJC), said he understands the importance of supporting DoD’s ongoing mission during the pandemic.
“No matter what happens in the world, the need to support the warfighter never stops. The warfighter risks their lives every day so I can enjoy the freedoms that I have, and it is my duty to return the favor so they can complete their missions,” Woodruff said. “I am the third generation in my family to work at DDJC; this isn’t just a job to me, but my family’s legacy to
serving this great country.”