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How data, AI are cornerstones of DLA’s digital strategy

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The Defense Logistics Agency, like many agencies, is facing the challenge of a reduced budget and a growing set of mission responsibilities.

While its fiscal 2026 request is a few million dollars more than what it received in 2025, DLA is still facing almost a $50 million cut next year as compared to 2024.

To counter a smaller pool of funding, DLA has come up with three priorities to better allocate resources that agency leaders say will help them better execute their objectives and drive results.

“One year after we released our DLA strategy, we are not taking our feet off the gas,” said DLA Director Army Lt. Gen. Mark Simerly at the agency’s Collider Industry Day on Sept. 3. “We are accelerating and building on our successes with an urgency to support innovation and mission excellence.”

To that end, DLA outlined what it’s calling three sets:

  • Set the agency
  • Set the globe
  • Set the supply chains

Brad Bunn, DLA’s vice director, said these three priorities expand upon the four pillars of the agency’s 2025-2030 Strategic Plan: People, Posture, Precision and Partnerships.

Brad Bunn is the Defense Logistics Agency’s vice director.

“We see those as imperative for us to improve on and work down some of the supply chain challenges we have as we support the joint force and prepare for potential conflict in the future,” Bunn said in an interview with Federal News Network.

Bunn said the first set focuses on the agency workforce and transforming how employees work.

“One of the main objectives under our people imperative really has to do with increasing our competency in understanding data — how data can be operationalized to bring velocity and speed to our business — and building that competency across the entire workforce,” he said. “We’ve got about 24,000 people in DLA, mostly civilians, and they are in the business predominantly of acquiring, procuring supplies and materials and interacting with the industrial base to do that. So there’s a lot of grunt contracting work that we do. We also have a global storage and distribution network that we operate, and that’s very hands-on warehouse management. But one thing that has emerged over the past decade is that data is a common thread across all of that and all of our people, from our warehouse workers who receive and store material, to our contracting specialists, to our human resources and finance, our analysts, our supply chain experts. They need to have a better understanding of what data can do for us and how we can get better insight, so that we can respond quicker to the needs of the warfighters.”

Simerly said the workforce transformation means DLA must improve the data fluency of their employees and how they apply artificial intelligence.

“We are embracing AI as a cornerstone of our digital strategy. We have to move from doing manual tasks to more mission critical thinking,” he said. “We have about 56 AI models in development, testing or use, all from employee-generated use cases. We already are empowering smarter decisions across the DLA.”

DLA is taking a bottom-up approach to AI. It’s developing skillsets within its workforce, what Bunn called citizen developers, who have the technology, tools and skills sets to solve their problems on the ground.

Embracing a forward leaning mindset

Then at a more strategic level, Bunn said DLA is trying to use AI to improve how the agency does forecasting and planning.

“So much of what we do is really about understanding the requirements of our customers, and then buying ahead of that need, or buying down risk by investing working capital fund dollars so that we have the material that they need when they need it,” Bunn said. “A lot of that, especially when we’re talking about legacy or aging weapon systems, has to do with an industrial base where obsolescence is a major issue. The better we can forecast that demand, then we can send that demand signal to industry. That could be a game changer for us, because a lot of what we chase are back orders for repair parts or that kind of stuff that needs to go to a depot for a repair overhaul action, or a shipyard, or a logistics center that’s overhauling a B-52 or whatever it might be. We play a huge role in that, and our understanding of what that customer needs well before they even know they need it is really what we’re getting after.”

Improving forecasting and planning is part of the other two sets.

Simerly said setting the globe is about empowering logistics where it matters the most and embracing a forward-leaning mindset at home and in the Indo Pacific Command (IndoPACOM) region.

Bunn said that seeing as DLA is a combat support agency, it has to sure that the global Joint Force has the material and capabilities they need so they can be ready and resilient in a fight.

“Some of that is about positioning, material, supplies, people and things like that, but it’s also about building resilience in the industrial base and using other kinds of innovative methods so that we can respond quicker if there’s a requirement — whether it’s fuel or food or repair parts for weapon systems or medical material and pharmaceuticals,” he said.

Supply chain data integration needed

The third set focused on supply chains and the need for DLA to modernize nine different systems. Simerly said that modernization would help DLA “move faster, think smarter, improve data integration and innovation and responsiveness and resilience.”

Bunn added that DLA currently has too many disparate supply chain systems and can’t apply AI tools or do forecasting without better data integration.

“What we’re trying to do is integrate all of those and have a better understanding, have a common digital thread, so we can understand the supply chains themselves, from out of the factory to the foxhole, and then make sure that they’re protected. There’s a lot of cyber threats out there,” he said. “There are other kinds of threats out there too, so a lot of this is about managing risk across those supply chains.”

The supply chain modernization effort also would benefit DLA around areas like inventory management, auditability for financial management and customer service.

“We’re leveraging more advanced technology in our storage and distribution network, including things you might see in an Amazon fulfillment center, and leveraging data across the entire supply chain, from what is in the commercial side to what we have in our possession,” Bunn said. “As it transits from our custody, as customers order from us, and it gets all the way to the end user, understanding what that data thread is, so that we can have visibility of that — it’s important for us as consumers to know when you’re going to get that.”

The post How data, AI are cornerstones of DLA’s digital strategy first appeared on Federal News Network.

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A Wave of Charlie Kirk Tributes Is Spreading Across South Korea

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September 13, 2025

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From our trusted source in South Korea: I would like to share with you an important development in South Korea following the tragic death of Charlie Kirk. His passing has not only shaken America, but it has also deeply touched the hearts of freedom-loving citizens here. What began as grief has quickly become a wave of tributes spreading across our nation.

South Koreans pay tribute to Charlie Kirk by holding a march for freedom in the rain for the assassinated conservative leader.

Young Conservative Generation Vows to Honor His Legacy Forever

The sudden death of Charlie Kirk, a symbol of the American conservative movement and a fighter for freedom, has delivered a deep shock to Korea’s freedom movement as well. Yet this tragic news has not ended in sorrow alone—it has sparked a powerful wave of tributes across the nation.

In Seoul and other major cities, churches, youth groups, conservative parties, and students from Freedom University have led memorial services, prayer gatherings, and tribute marches. With the Korean and American flags raised together, moments of floral tributes and silent prayers have become a symbolic expression of the strong bond of the Korea-U.S. freedom alliance. Above all, this wave of remembrance is significant because it is being carried nationwide, led primarily by the younger generation.

Just a week before his passing, Charlie Kirk visited Korea and left young people here with great hope and courage. His speech and message are now regarded as a kind of final testament, and Korea’s freedom movement remembers it as the “Five Commitments to Be Upheld to the End.”

—

The Five Commitments Left by Charlie Kirk

1. Keep Korea’s streets clean and preserve their beauty.
2. Korea grew with the help of America, but has already repaid that debt many times. One of America’s greatest achievements is Korea itself.
3. Stand with America in the fight for freedom, and never bow to the Chinese Communist Party.
4. Do not yield to illegal immigration policies. Koreans should, if possible, raise more children and safeguard the nation’s population.
5. As long as Koreans fight for freedom, America too will rise to stand for justice.

These five messages are not merely advice—they are being embraced as a shared legacy that the freedom movements of Korea and America must uphold together.

—

“His Legacy Will Live On Forever”

Korea’s young conservatives have made it clear that these memorial events will not end as a one-time gesture. They declared, “To ensure that Charlie Kirk’s commitments and legacy are never forgotten, we will continue to hold large-scale tribute marches and rallies.” The remembrance is evolving beyond memory into tangible action and practice by Korea’s youth.

Patriots of Korea’s freedom movement also emphasized through this moment, “We share in America’s grief.” Korea fought alongside the United States during the Korean War to defend freedom, and even today the alliance remains the foundation of national security. Young Koreans do not see Charlie Kirk’s death as America’s loss alone, but as a pain borne by the entire free world. They have pledged to carry the banner he left behind.

—

The Road Ahead

Across Korea, additional large-scale tribute marches and gatherings are already being prepared. Conservative parties, Freedom University, and youth organizations are uniting to commemorate Charlie Kirk and to spread his message around the world. They declare, “Charlie Kirk’s spirit lives on in the hearts of young people in both Korea and the United States.” His name and legacy will continue to shine as a beacon of freedom.

—

Photos and Videos:

Tribute Gathering 1:

Tribute Gathering 2:
South Koreans pay tribute to Charlie Kirk by holding a march for freedom in the rain for the assassinated conservative leader.

Tribute Gathering 3:

Photos and videos taken in Seoul and across the provinces demonstrate how Korea is sharing in America’s grief and strengthening the solidarity of the free world.

—

Charlie Kirk’s death is not the end. It has become a new signal of departure for the youth of the freedom movements in both Korea and the United States, and his name will never be forgotten.

I respectfully ask that you highlight this story—so the world knows that South Korea is also mourning together with America, and that his legacy is living on here as well.

The post A Wave of Charlie Kirk Tributes Is Spreading Across South Korea appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Accused Charlie Kirk Assassin Scheduled to Make First Court Appearance on Tuesday

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September 13, 2025

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Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson mugshot

Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old charged with assassinating Charlie Kirk, is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Tuesday.

The hearing is currently set to be conducted virtually.

“Assuming all goes as planned and we file charges on Tuesday, Mr. Robinson’s first appearance will be Tuesday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. MDT,” according to Christopher Ballard, chief of staff at the public information office at the Utah County attorney’s office, according to a report from CNN.

Robinson reportedly confessed to his father, then declared that he would rather kill himself than turn himself in to law enforcement.

“His family and a friend helped to deliver him into custody of law enforcement in Washington County,” Utah Governor Spencer Cox said during a press briefing on Friday.

According to the Probable Cause Statement signed by Detective Brian Davis, surveillance footage captured Robinson arriving on campus around 8:29 AM in a gray Dodge Challenger, dressed in a maroon t-shirt, light-colored shorts, a black hat with a white logo, and light shoes. He later changed into a long-sleeve black shirt featuring an American flag and eagle design, dark jeans, and white/gray Converse Chuck Taylor shoes with black soles, clothing that matched the sniper’s description.

Investigators tracked Robinson as he climbed onto the rooftop of the Losee Center building around 12:17 PM, positioning himself with a view of the courtyard where Kirk was speaking at his “Prove Me Wrong” event. At approximately 12:22 PM, a single gunshot rang out, striking the 31-year-old Kirk in the neck and causing fatal blood loss as he collapsed onstage. Robinson allegedly fled the rooftop, discarding a Mauser .30-06 bolt-action rifle wrapped in a dark towel in a grassy area east of the building. Shoe impressions from Converse sneakers were found on the rooftop edge, and a palm print was recovered, further linking him to the scene.

The documents reveal that Robinson had become “more political in recent years,” with a family member recounting a dinner conversation where he expressed hatred for Kirk, accusing the conservative activist of “spreading hate.” On the evening of September 11, that same family member contacted authorities through a friend, claiming Robinson had confessed or implicated himself in the shooting. Investigators also interviewed Robinson’s roommate, who showed them Discord messages from a contact named “Tyler” discussing retrieving a rifle from a bush, engraving bullets, wrapping the weapon in a towel, and changing outfits to evade detection.

“Investigators interviewed the roommate, who stated that his roommate (referring to Robinson) made a joke on Discord. Investigators asked if he would show them the messages on Discord, he opened it and showed several messages to investigators and allowed investigators to take photos of the screen as each message was shown by Robinson’s roommate,” the document states.

It continues, “These photos consisted of various messages, including content of messages between the phone contact name ‘Tyler’ with an emoji icon, and Robinson’s roommate’s device. The content of these messages included messages affiliated with the contact ‘Tyler’ stating a need to retrieve a rifle from a drop point, leaving the rifle in a bush, messages related to visually watching the area where a rifle was left, and a message referring to having left the rifle wrapped in a towel.”

“The messages also refer to engraving bullets, and a mention of a scope and the rifle being unique. Messages from the contact Tyler also mention that he had changed outfits.”

“Based on the evidence detailed in this statement, I believe there is probable cause that Tyler Robinson committed the crimes of aggravated murder by shooting Charlie Kirk in a circumstance that put many around him at grave risk of death, felony discharge of a firearm, and obstruction of justice for moving and hiding the rifle believed to be used in the shooting,” Davis concluded.

Discord has denied having records of the conversations on its servers.

Utah is a death penalty state. If convicted, Robinson will be eligible to face a firing squad.

The post Accused Charlie Kirk Assassin Scheduled to Make First Court Appearance on Tuesday appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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WOW: Evil Pelosi Defends Democrats’ Violent Rhetoric After Assassin Murders Charlie Kirk (VIDEO)

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3 hours ago

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September 13, 2025

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Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi defended Democrats’ violent rhetoric after a left-wing assassin murdered TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk at a Utah Valley University campus this week.

Conservative political activist Charlie Kirk was gunned down by a leftist who hated him this week.

Tyler Robinson, 22, was taken into custody on Friday morning after his father turned him in to authorities. Friends and family said Robinson had become more political in recent years. The 22-year-old became radicalized by the left, and instead of debating Charlie Kirk on the open mic, he killed him from a rooftop 200 yards away.

Charlie Kirk was assassinated after Democrats and their media stenographers had glorified violence against Trump supporters for years.

WATCH:

After calling Trump supporters a threat to democracy for years, it finally happened.

Just one year after President Trump was shot in the ear at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Charlie Kirk, one of the most influential conservative voices, was murdered in broad daylight.

Rather than condemn the violent rhetoric coming from vile Democrats, Pelosi defended it and took zero accountability.

“People don’t have any intention of saying something that leads to something dangerous. We cannot take responsibility for the minds,” evil Democrat Pelosi said.

WATCH:

The post WOW: Evil Pelosi Defends Democrats’ Violent Rhetoric After Assassin Murders Charlie Kirk (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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