PHILADELPHIA – Traditional holiday fare will be provided this Christmas to US service members in Afghanistan, troops en route to the US from Iraq and Department of State employees deployed there, thanks to the work of America's combat logistics support agency. As early as May, Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support employees began planning to ensure holiday meal deliveries to more than 270 locations throughout those countries and Kuwait.

Food delivered included 119,600 lbs. of turkey, 49,200 lbs. of ham and 97,375 lbs. of beef; among other holiday foods. Although US military forces are completing their mission in Iraq and the Department of State continues its work in the region, DLA Troop Support's Subsistence supply chain remains in place to support their meals.

Fort Belvoir, Va.-based DLA consists of approximately 27,000 employees worldwide and supports more than 2,178 weapon systems. As a Department of Defense combat support agency, it provides the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, other federal agencies plus joint and allied forces with logistics, acquisition and technical services. The agency sources and provides nearly 100 percent of the consumable items US military forces need to operate — ranging from food, fuel and energy to uniforms, medical supplies and construction and barrier equipment.