USTRANSCOM and DLA to expand Strategic Distribution to the Pacific theater
The program originated in late 1999 when the Department of Defense's agencies for supply and transportation, the DLA and USTRANSCOM, partnered to enhance DOD's distribution performance by launching the SDMI. Since that time the program has successfully improved distribution processes in the U.S. European Command and U.S. Central Command areas of responsibility.
"In the Strategic Distribution-Pacific (or SD-PAC) program, the DLA and USTRANSCOM, in alliance with USPACOM seek to improve both the responsiveness and reliability of distribution service to the warfighting customers in the Pacific region," said Air Force Lt. Col. Tye Beasley Chief, Strategic Distribution Division. "Responsiveness is a function of supply issue effectiveness and velocity in transportation delivery service, while reliability concentrates on the consistency and the quality of distribution service."
Program success depends on the effectiveness of our partnership.
"The foundation of this initiative is partnership," said Frank Weber, USTRANSCOM deputy logistics director. "DLA, USTRANSCOM, and USPACOM have the opportunity to realize improvement within the distribution processes they control."
The program requires intense analysis of processes.
"SD focuses on defining, measuring, and analyzing DOD's distribution processes, and the subsequent implementation of improvement changes validated through performance measurement," said Beasley.
Key areas to this initiative in the pursuit of the goal are:
* Stock Positioning Management (pursuit of optimum positioning of DLA, service and General Services Administration(GSA)stock, tailored to Pacific unit needs, to leverage improved distribution of limited resources)
* Air Distribution Service (synchronized use of airlift resources to improve transportation delivery times and reliability; use of contracted civil reserve air fleet or Common User Land Transportation (CULT)trucking to provide inter-modal service)
* Surface Distribution Service (improved surface cargo management process to reduce cargo movement delivery times and increase reliability)
* Theater Distribution Management (ending segment of SD's end-to-end distribution process; use of advance information, and theater management / transportation means to enhance delivery times and reliability with alternate lift and timely supply receipt documentation)
Each of the participants including, DLA, USTRANSCOM and USPACOM will coordinate available resources and oversee the actions and results.
"Each organization will rely upon their component commands to execute the initiative," said Beasley. "Regular performance reports will provide a means to communicate issues. We will meet monthly to review our efforts and continuously refine and measure them to ensure we're meeting customer expectations."
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