Defense Courier Service returns to USTRANSCOM
The Defense Courier Service (DCS) returned to USTRANSCOM today in order to “more effectively and efficiently utilize the Defense Transportation System’s limited resources,” said Lt. Col. Valerie Simons, Strategic Initiatives Division Staff Officer for USTRANSCOM. Previously, DCS was assigned to the Air Mobility Command (AMC).
Established in 1953, DCS couriers escort sensitive material securely, expeditiously and cost-effectively throughout the world. USTRANSCOM provides air, land and sea transportation for the Department of Defense, both in time of peace and time of war. The new alignment provides a delivery double-play for the Department of Defense.
“This is a better fit. It makes more sense. This move helps us better utilize defense assets,” said Lt. Col. Simons.
The realignment marks the return of DCS to USTRANSCOM. The original relationship began 10 years ago and lasted until 1998 when DCS was aligned to AMC for fiscal reasons.
With the motto “protecting the nation’s secrets” and headquartered at Fort George G. Meade, Md., DCS provides vital support to the intelligence community, the Department of Defense, federal agencies, and their contractors, and our NATO allies.
DCS has contributed to every major military deployment and international relief effort involving U.S. forces, including Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm. DCS rapidly moved the raw film and tapes to Bolling Air Force Base, D.C., for processing and back to the Iraqi desert where military officials used them to conduct intelligence briefings and provide pictures to the media regarding the war effort.
DCS is composed of 20 field stations and one provisional courier site, scattered across the globe in 12 states or U.S. territories and six foreign nations. DCS moves approximately 3.5 million pounds of highly-classified, time sensitive material each year with an annual operating budget of approximately $26 million. Approximately 6,300 active customers are currently supported by DCS.
Established in 1987, USTRANSCOM's mission is to provide air, land and sea transportation for DOD both in time of peace and war.
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