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DLA working with local authorities in wake of Hurricane Sandy

  • Published
  • By Sgt. Ferdinand Detres
  • 10th Press Camp Headquarters
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  In the wake of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Sandy, the Defense Logistics Agency is diligently working with federal and local authorities of the states of New York and New Jersey to provide fuel, generators, rations and construction equipment to residents in affected areas.

The DLA Director of Operations Maj. Gen. Kenneth S. Dowd surveyed various DLA equipment and supply staging areas here Nov. 8, 2012, and was pleased with the operations thus far.

"Ten days ago we saw Hurricane Sandy coming, so we delivered fuel, rations and blankets to [Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst], in preparation for the storm," said Dowd.

Truck drivers contracted by DLA are conducting 24-hour refueling operations out of the joint base in New Jersey.

The commercially contracted trucks and military Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks are carrying fuel to provide rations and fuel to parts of New Jersey and New York.

DLA, which is based at Fort Belvoir, Va., has leveraged contracts that directly support fuel requirements. An estimated 800,000 gallons are distributed daily to areas affected by Sandy, said Lt. Col. John C. Belanger Jr., DLA Troop Support.

"We have been out here eight days. In that time we have provided more than five million gallons of fuel, mainly to hospitals and first responders," said Dowd. "We have delivered six million rations out of [Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst], along with blankets for the people of New Jersey and New York."

During the relief efforts, DLA is in direct support of the United States Northern Command and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, according to Dowd.

"As those agencies get requirements from the states, DLA coordinates with the agencies to provide fuel, supplies and resources," he added.

As fuel and rations are rapidly delivered to areas in need, DLA is also working with the Corp of Engineers to provide generators and get electricity back on for those who have been days without power.