The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) is the Department of Defense’s combat logistics support agency. Defense Logistics Agency Susquehanna, located in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania and operating as a tenant of the Naval Support Activity in Mechanicsburg employs more than five thousand DoD employees, contractors, and military members.
Find information about DLA Susquehanna including the main commercial and DSN numbers for the base, information on basic services, base transportation, lodging for TDY and PCSing personnel, and inprocessing.
Mission & Units
DLA Susquehanna is the largest distribution processing facility in the Department of Defense with nearly two million square feet at the Eastern Distribution Center alone. That facility is responsible for “25 percent of DLA Distribution’s total receipt, storage, and issue of materiel worldwide” according to the official site. Susquehanna is part of a larger network of DLA distribution sites which include:
- DLA Distribution Albany, GA
- DLA Distribution Anniston, AL
- DLA Distribution Barstow, CA
- DLA Distribution Cherry Point, N.C.
- DLA Distribution Corpus Christi, TX
- DLA Distribution Hill, UT
- DLA Distribution Jacksonville, FL
- DLA Distribution Norfolk, VA
- DLA Distribution Oklahoma City, OK
- DLA Distribution Puget Sound, WA
- DLA Distribution Red River, TX
- DLA Distribution Richmond, VA
- DLA Distribution San Diego, CA
- DLA Distribution San Joaquin, CA
- DLA Distribution Tobyhanna, PA
- DLA Distribution Warner Robins, GA
DLA Susquehanna receives, inspects, and manages material for U.S. Army Security Assistance Command projects; major units and missions at this facility include:
- 360th USAF Recruiting Squadron
- 374th Financial Management Company
- Fillmore United States Army Health Clinic
- United States Army Recruiting Battalion Harrisburg
- United States Army Security Assistance Command
- 358th Engineering Company
- 4th United States Marine Corps Recruiting Battalion-Harrisburg
- United States Marine Corps Recruiting Station Harrisburg
History
In the mid 1960s, the Department of Defense was keen to eliminate redundancy, streamline contract administration services, and create a uniform process for those contracts. The Defense Contract Administration Services was created to manage these functions. It would not be long before the duties of the agency were extended to include overseas operations including property disposal, distribution of food, fuel, and related materiel.
In 1977, DSA was re-designated as the Defense Logistics Agency, which was later recognized by federal law as a combat support agency. 1988 saw DLA taking over the management of the national stockpile of strategic materials (formerly managed by the General Service Administration also known as GSA). DLA Susquehanna is part of that operation and plays a key role in the larger DLA mission to manage material distribution for the DoD.
Come 1990, the Department of Defense ordered “virtually all” contract administration functions to fall under DLA through consolidation; the Defense Contract Management Command was ordered to incorporate its Defense Contract Administration Service into DLA. Other changes included unifying the entire DoD materiel distribution system to eliminate inefficiency, duplication, etc.
At one time, some 42 organizations were reporting to DLA, but after extensive restructuring, re-engineering, and other changes only six agencies would be required to report directly. DLA has provided logistical support in the post-9/11 world including support of efforts in the war on terrorism; DLA has processed nearly seven million requisitions, made more than $21 million worth of humanitarian support and supplied literally billions of gallons of fuel.
Today DLA functions in 48 states and overseas in nearly 30 nations. The agency has been key in drawing down troops and equipment from Iraq and has been instrumental in domestic operations as a partner agency with FEMA.
In 2021, DLA Susquehanna joins its other DLA counterparts in celebrating 60 years of mission support for Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and other federal agencies.
Contacts
Main Base Address And Contact Numbers
Defense Logistics Agency
5400 G Avenue – Bldg 400
New Cumberland, PA 17070
717-770-4624
Important DLA Phone Numbers
- DLA Installation Support at Susquehanna–717-770-5614
- Customer Support–717-770-4754
- Visitor Center–717-770-5653
- Pass & ID– 717-770-2865
- Branch Health Clinic Mechanicsburg–(717) 605-2636
- Defense Distribution Center New Cumberland–(717) 770-7281
- Dunham Army Health Clinic Carlisle–(717) 245-3400
- Security Dispatch–717-770-6270
- Safety Office–717-770-7233
Surrounding Area
DLA Susquehanna is roughly half an hour to three hours from other military installations including Carlisle Barracks (the closest), just over one hour from Raven Rock Complex, and Tobyhanna Army Depot (two hours and 20 minutes away).
New York, Baltimore, and the greater Philadelphia area are all within reasonable driving distances, but traffic during rush hour, peak holiday season, and other times may complicate and extend the duration of your drive. Major league sports, concerts, and even Broadway shows are accessible from the installation if you plan the trip carefully and take into account local rush hours, tourist seasons, and other high-travel times. New Cumberland is part of York County.
The installation is not far from Lancaster, PA, famous for its Amish community with the Poconos roughly two hours away for those interested in outdoors adventure, hiking, nature trails, and sightseeing.
Philadelphia, PA is also roughly 120 minutes by car, complete with its’ major league sports, international cuisine, and the famous Mutter Museum with its’ unusual anatomical specimens, rotating displays, and vintage medical gear.
Inprocessing and Check-In
All military personnel PCSing to DLA Susquehanna are directed to report to BLDG 430, Suite 1106, Mifflin Avenue, New Cumberland–call 717-770-8817 ahead of your arrival for directions and other important information.
Military members “assigned to other units” must make arrangements for their sponsor to meet them; all new arrivals must check in with their gaining unit in addition to any other check-in instructions. You will report directly to the gaining unit or the unit you work with while TDY to the area. Your gaining unit command support staff or personnel section will have instructions for in-processing.
Those who do not have a sponsor should contact their gaining unit to obtain one or have one assigned to them. Call the following numbers as appropriate:
- Air Force: 717-770-8799
- Army: 717-614-2213
- Marines: 717-836-1224
- Civilians: 717-770-6112
Services
Health Care
Limited outpatient healthcare services are available on the installation. Medical treatment is available during normal duty hours at the Fillmore U.S Army Health Clinic, call 717-770-7281 for information on care options. All dependents will be required to use TRICARE options in the local area; sick call for active duty military members is by appointment only.
Occupational health care is available for federal civilian employees and “attached tenant activities.” Military sick call is by appointment only. No walk-in care is available. Care options at the clinic include:
- Family Medicine
- Mental Health
- Occupational Health
- Pediatrics
- Physical Therapy
Dental care is not available on this installation.
Child Care
Child care at DLA is provided by the Child Development Center; all PCSing troops are directed to arrange for care via the MilitaryChildcare.com official site. This is described as “a single gateway” to help military families find military-run or DoD approved child care options.
Child care signup requirements may include a waiting list; go to the MilitaryChildCare.com official site as soon as you know you have orders to the area to learn what is required to sign up and be placed on child care waiting lists.
Household Goods
All inbound personnel are directed to track and manage incoming household goods shipments via the Defense Personal Property System at Move.mil.
Dependent And Retiree ID Card Renewal, Replacement, New Issue
All ID card services at DLA Susquehanna are handled by the Pass & ID Section; call 717-770-2865 to make an appointment or learn the current policies about walk-in service (which may or may not be available based on demand and other considerations).
Two forms of unexpired ID are required; your ID may be required to meet REAL ID Act specification and in cases where the sponsor is not or cannot be present for ID card services, a Power of Attorney may be required in order to initiate, renew, or replace dependent IDs.
Schools
There are no Department of Defense schools in the area; those living near the installation will send their school age children to schools in the West Shore School District. There are multiple elementary schools, middle schools and high schools in West Shore, complete with bus service and regular bus schedules. School choices in the area include:
- Cedar Cliff High School
- Red Land High School
- Allen Middle School
- Crossroads Middle School
- New Cumberland Middle School
- Fairview Elementary School
- Fishing Creek Elementary School
- Highland Elementary School
- Hillside Elementary School
- Lower Allen & Rossmoyne Elementary Schools
- Newberry Elementary School
- Red Mill Elementary School
- Washington Heights Elementary School
- Cumberland Perry Area Vocational Technical School
Call the district at 717-938-9577 to learn about current transfer requirements, transcript and immunization rules, and school year start/end dates.
Housing
Unlike many military bases in the U.S. or overseas, DLA Susquehana offers no base housing office services.
PCS and TDY Lodging
There is no temporary lodging facility located at the installation.
Transportation
There are no on-base shuttle services offered at DLA Susquehanna. The usual ride-sharing options are available at the closest airports, new arrivals will likely fly into Harrisburg International Airport (HIA), Middletown PA, which is roughly 20 minutes away depending on traffic, time of day, etc. Other major airports nearby include:
- Greater Binghamton Airport (approximately 35 miles away)
- Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport (roughly 53 miles away)
New arrivals should contact their sponsor before starting travel to learn about local traffic conditions, best arrival times, availability of transportation from the airport, etc.
Vehicle Registration And Driver’s License
All new arrivals are directed to use Gate 3 as the main entrance to the installation–all military members and other employees must use this gate to enter. 100% ID checks may be required and all vehicles entering and leaving are subject to search. DLA requires all visitors and new arrivals to provide proof of vehicle registration, car insurance, and a current driver’s license.
Pennsylvania state law allows qualifying service members to “maintain Pennsylvania registration” on a privately owned vehicle. There is also an option to register the vehicle in the jurisdiction where the service member is stationed, which may not necessarily be the same state it was originally licensed in. Annual vehicle inspections are required.