HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- The 414th Supply Chain Management Squadron was awarded the 2022 Department of Defense Award for Supply Chain Excellence for their exceptional achievements in supply chain management through innovative development and process improvement.
The award was presented by Honorable Christopher Lowman, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment.
The 414th SCMS successfully stood up in 2010 to solidify nuclear supply chain readiness and reduce potential pitfalls in the process across the globe. The squadron took the ever-growing workload and improved steadily over time into a world-class organization.
“The 414th SCMS holds the trust of the American people and the world with error-free, meticulous accounting of the nuclear supply chain. The improvements they have made are remarkable,” said Robert Kielty, civilian deputy director of the 448th Supply Chain Management Wing.
The 414th SCMS provides thousands of supplies, parts, and services to carry out the nuclear mission. The nuclear supply chain runs well, but with geopolitical tensions rising daily, 414th SCMS has shifted to an “Accelerate to Deter” approach.
Th Accelerate to Deter program is a supply chain management initiative that aims to improve the speed and efficiency of the nuclear supply chain. The program ensured the United States maintains a credible nuclear deterrent by providing timely and reliable support to nuclear forces worldwide. These improvements reduced risk, increased nuclear readiness, drove speed, and improved quality.
“Supply is a team sport,” said KyAnn Betz, 414th SCMS director, “To make strategic supply chain changes that last, we needed all of our partners to help. Everyone had to put an oar in the water to assist us. We couldn’t get there alone.”
The 414th SCMS partnered with Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Air Force Global Strike Command, Defense Logistics Agency, Ogden Air Logistics Complex, contracting, commercial vendors, freight movement companies, and the operational missile wings. By streamlining processes, reducing waste, and improving communication and stakeholder collaboration, the program helps ensure that nuclear weapons are always ready when needed. The program’s success in 2022 demonstrated its effectiveness in supporting national defense objectives and enhancing strategic and tactical readiness on a global scale.
Each year, the DoD Supply Chain Excellence Awards celebrate innovative management and technology used to improve supply chain efficiency and effectiveness to enhance support to the warfighter.