US DLA concludes disaster support exercise

The US Department of Defense’s Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) has completed Disaster Support Exercise 14.

The exercise is aimed at validating its support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the US Army Corps of Engineers, the North Carolina National Guard, and the US Forest Service during natural catastrophes.

The simulated scenarios in the exercise included a wildfire burning out of control in New Mexico spanning 250,000 acres while the major Hurricane Christina hits the East Coast.

DLA Logistics Operations executive director for support Guy Beougher said: "We need to predict what requirements may be coming our way during similar emergencies.

"If things got worse or there is a system failure during a real world incident, we need to know how we would get in front of the requirements and predict what is needed to perform our mission."

During the exercise, DLA simulated supplying and contracting these commodities including 3.7 million shelf-stable meals, 314,000 cots, 47,000 blankets, 35,000 gallons of diesel fuel, 1,500 fire retardant gloves to the Forest Service, 20 portable high-pressure pumps in addition to sand bags, tents, plastic sheeting, maps and generators.

The agency recently gained access to 288 types of inventory including medical supplies, firefighting tools and protective gear, from the General Services Administration that directly support the Forest Service’s Wildland Fire Protection Program.

Further, the exercise was aimed at assessing the agency’s ability to support the newly procured elements.

DLA Joint Logistics Operations Center director army colonel Eric Sloughfy said: "These exercises help DLA validate plans, policies and procedures between DLA and our federal partners like FEMA, the Forest Service and contractors.

"The training also identifies any gaps in coordination and communications and helps to clarify roles and responsibilities."

According to Forest Service engineering, technology and geospatial services director Emilee Blount, these exercises would help raise awareness of DLA’s huge catalog of commodities and capabilities within other federal agencies.

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Image: DLA Joint Logistics Operations Center Army Major Thomas Whitlow at the McNamara Headquarters Complex during the exercise. Photo courtesy of Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Daniel Garas.