United States troops overseas will be receiving traditional Thanksgiving meals this year, thanks to efforts of the Defense Logistics Agency's (DLA) Defense Supply Center Philadelphia.
The task of supplying approximately $2.3 million worth of traditional holiday fare to soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines serving America in a variety of Southwest Asian, European and Pacific locations is no small feat. This year's aggregate meal items include:
201,847 pounds of turkey; 131,720 pounds of beef; 114,036 pounds of ham; 6,381 pounds of duck; 9,498 pounds of Cornish hens; 64,676 pounds of seafood; 16,954 cans of sweet potatoes; 67,089 pounds of vegetables; 1,344 boxes of corn-on-the-cob; 8,035 cans of cranberry sauce; 67,895 pies; 4,117 pounds of fruitcake; 24,380 cans of eggnog; 8,299 cans of nuts; and 20,217 pounds of candy.
The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia provides approximately $7.8 billion worth of food, clothing and textiles, medicines and medical equipment, general and industrial supplies for U.S. troops worldwide and their eligible dependents annually. The center is a field activity of the Defense Logistics Agency.
The Defense Logistics Agency provides supply support, and technical and logistics services to the military services and to several civilian agencies. Headquartered at Fort Belvoir, Va., DLA is the one source for nearly every consumable item, whether for combat readiness, emergency preparedness or day-to-day operations.
Dang gald I'm not cooking that meal!! LOL
By Chief Journalist (SW) Douglas H. Stutz, Joint Task Force Southwest Asia Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (NNS) -- While thoughts of being forward deployed conjurs images of open ocean for most Sailors, those assigned to Joint Task Force Southwest Asia (JTF SWA) find themselves faced with quite the opposite.
Intelligence Specialist 2nd Class Joshua D. Lively is one such Sailor forward deployed in this unique situation. Lively is stationed on the Arabian Peninsula as an intelligence analyst for JTF SWA.
The ocean is a long way from where he plies his trade. He finds himself surrounded by an endless visage of sand. He is one of a handful of Navy and Marine Corps personnel, who along with U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army personnel, make up the multinational force that includes the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other coalition partners such as France, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar.
Instead of occupying a position back on Third Fleet's staff, Lively is now in a multidimensional Command Air Operation Center. Not only is the locale different, but so are the conditions, as he engages in supporting actual combat operations. His duties include collecting and interpreting intelligence data from a variety of sources by analyzing such significant data-revealing material as photographs, maps, reports and charts.
"Learning the whole process of time-critical targeting and working with all branches of our services and other foreign militaries has been such a daily educational experience," Lively commented. "The best part about being here is that it has helped me learn different aspects of intel work that I never knew existed."
Lively's job is about as real world as it gets.
"There is so much to learn and absorb here," said Lively. "For example, I never had any training in targeting before coming here and already I've learned quite a lot in that."
Lively's experiences go beyond being taught such job related functions as target identification and acquisition. There is personal as well as professional growth and experiences.
"Being forward-deployed here on land in Southwest Asia is definitely a lot different than being on a ship," said Lively. "On a ship, there is only Navy, and maybe some Marines. Here, there are all branches of the military, including foreign services. Everyone seems to get along great. The motto is, "One Team, One Fight!"
"The living conditions are a lot better than I expected," Lively continued. "I live in a barracks, with four to a room. On my off time, I always take advantage of the facilities like the gyms, pool and the Learning Resource Center. Most of the facilities are open 24/7."
Operations are also conducted around the clock. Lively has found that a day's schedule can be modified quickly. "There can be a lot of change here," Lively noted, "because we are conducting real-world operations. But another very big change for me is just coming from a ship to an air base in the middle of the desert, along with working with all branches of services and foreign militaries. It was tough at first, but I'm getting more accustomed to the demands."
From strategic airfields on the Arabian Peninsula to the decks of Navy vessels on the Arabian Gulf, the task of supporting Operation Southern Watch continues unabated. Lively is doing his part to ensure it stays that way.