General says warfighters want single source for answers --
Distribution Process Owner designation is essential first step

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (USTCNS) --- Consolidating distribution of all Department of Defense logistics functions will provide warfighters what they want: simplicity.

“Past studies, especially evaluation of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom lessons learned, have the same bottom line: warfighters want simplicity, speed, visibility, reliability. When there’s confusion, they want a single face to deal with for answers,” Lt. Gen. Gary H. Hughey, deputy commander, U.S. Transportation Command, told the National Defense Transportation Association’s Washington, DC, chapter.

The Secretary of Defense appointed USTRANSCOM as Distribution Process Owner (DPO). The consolidation of authority under one process owner is aimed at realizing logistics efficiencies:

· Eliminate existing seams between current distribution processes and standardize the policies, vision and performance goals in DoD’s supply chain.

· Drive interoperable information technology solutions and enhance total asset visibility to distribution customers.

· Institutionalize sustainment planning into contingency processes.

· Streamline distribution accountability under a single combatant commander.

Hughey said that USTRANSCOM is consulting with the services, combatant commanders, defense agencies and industry partners to coordinate its new responsibilities.

“DPO will improve overall efficiency. It’ll enable a shift from an inventory-based sustainment system to a distribution-based system,” Hughey added during his remarks Sept. 25.

The DoD will now have one entity, a unified command, to revolutionize this system, working with the Services, other agencies such as the Defense Logistics Agency and combatant commanders in synchronizing the distribution of personnel and equipment.

“Clearly, this designation represents a revolution in logistics and is the right thing to do,” Hughey continued. “We need a single process owner that is accountable for the highly complex military distribution system.”

USTRANSCOM was established in 1987, and its responsibilities within the DoD have evolved. Today, USTRANSCOM provides the synchronized transportation, distribution, and sustainment; which enables projecting and maintaining national power where needed; with the greatest speed and agility; with the highest efficiency; and with the most reliable level of trust and accuracy.