Space Command Colonel Receives Business Alliance Award

Retired Col. Mitch Slate, former chief of the Logistics Readiness Division, Directorate of Logistics and Communications at Air Force Space Command, was one of 18 industry partners honored Jan. 24 with Business Alliance Awards presented by the Defense Logistics Agency in Springfield, Va.

The awards recognize those who have demonstrated outstanding efforts to partner with DLA and improve the agency’s mission — providing supplies and services to America’s war fighters. DLA Director Navy Vice Admiral Keith W. Lippert presented the annual awards.

The agency’s primary role is to provide supplies and services to America’s military services worldwide and includes managing more than 4 million consumable items, including rations, medical supplies and equipment, clothing and textiles, and repair parts for land, sea and air weapons systems and platforms.

Slate, formerly stationed at Peterson Air Force Base, was nominated by the Defense Energy Support Center to receive the Commander’s Choice Award. This is presented to the non-DLA individual whose dedication and commitment to the DLA mission affects the quality of life for U.S. men and women in uniform.

His award citation stated that Slate “has steadfastly supported the Defense Energy Support Center missile fuels mission with fast and positive approval of requests to use Space Command’s unique Defense Department capabilities to store and issue hypergol products in support of our nation’s space program. His quick and positive action has allowed DESC to ensure continued support for the war fighter mission and has safeguarded the quality of life of our men and women in uniform.”

DLA provides supply support, and technical and logistics services to the military services and to several civilian agencies. Headquartered at Fort Belvoir, the agency is the one source for nearly every consumable item, whether for combat readiness, emergency preparedness or day-to-day operations.