Oct. 26, 2010 Read the full story online at DLA Aviation
Retired Army Brig. Gen. J.A. "Yogi" Mangual, a former commander of DLA Troop Support who is now executive vice president and president of Puerto Rico Operations for Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind, talks with DLA Aviation Chief of Staff Marine Col. Robin Gentry about the aerial delivery products they produce for the military. (Photo by Jackie Girard)Retired Army Brig. Gen. J.A. "Yogi" Mangual, a former commander of DLA Troop Support who is now executive vice president and president of Puerto Rico Operations for Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind, talks with DLA Aviation Chief of Staff Marine Col. Robin Gentry about the aerial delivery products they produce for the military. (Photo by Jackie Girard)
Defense Logistics Agency Aviation hosted its third annual AbilityOne Fair at Defense Supply Center Richmond's Lotts Conference Center Oct. 19, allowing employees to learn more about support the agency and warfighters receive from Americans with disabilities.
"Americans with disabilities currently support DLA Aviation by providing vital support services such as the Base Supply Store, grounds maintenance, custodial services and emergency services dispatch," wrote DLA Aviation Commander Navy Rear Adm. Vince Griffith in a September memo to employees about the event. "AbilityOne sources also provide military unique items to DLA Aviation such as spill cleanup kits, aircraft safety belts, tie-down straps, insulation tape, F-15 explosion suppressant foam segments, and distress marker lights."
An aerial delivery section was the highlight of this year's event, featuring many items that DLA Aviation only recently acquired the responsibility for purchasing.
"About two-and-a-half years ago, we in the Marine Corps were talking about getting rid of our aerial delivery platoons, because the demand wasn't there. I will tell you that since that time, we've quadrupled the amount of aerial delivery in Afghanistan," DLA Aviation Chief of Staff Col. Robin Gentry told attendees during his opening remarks at the event.
He said America's military is using aerial delivery now more than it did in World War II, and that it's significant to DLA Aviation employees and AbilityOne because the program provides many of the related supplies.
"All those cargo straps, skid boards and high-velocity parachutes bring food, water and ammunition to Marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen on the battlefield," he said. "That is your link to what we do every day to sustain the military."
Retired Army Brig. Gen. J.A. "Yogi" Mangual, who commanded DLA Troop Support in Philadelphia from 2000-2002, represented Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind at AbilityOne Day. He serves the North Carolina-based organization as both its executive vice president and president of Puerto Rico Operations.
About National Industries for the Blind
At National Industries for the Blind (NIB), it is our mission to enhance the opportunities for economic and personal independence of persons who are blind, primarily through creating, sustaining and improving employment. NIB and 89 associated agencies serve as the largest employer for people who are blind by the sale of SKILCRAFT® products and services through the AbilityOne Program, established by the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act. www.nib.org
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