WASHINGTON – Ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday and amid a backdrop of global supply chain woes, the Pentagon sent nearly 60,000 pounds of roasted turkey to American troops stationed on U.S. military installations around the world.

In an effort to reduce the spread of coronavirus last year, holiday meals were switched to a grab-and-go takeout styleInstead of having large groups gather in restaurants, Even with supply chain difficulties, the Pentagon expects no delays or interruptions in this year’s Thanksgiving meal.

Army Brig. Gen. Eric Shirley.

DLA (Defense Logistics Agency) coordinates Pentagon’s enormous combat supply chain. DLA is also responsible for the delivery of traditional holiday food to U.S. military personnel. Shirley explained that the logistics of delivering holiday food starts in March.

The DLA shipped more than 390,000.00 pounds of Thanksgiving foods to military personnel on vessels and other installations in the Middle East and Europe.

An estimated 1.25 billion dollars was received by service personnel around the world in this year’s:

• 5.706 Whole turkeys
• Roast turkeys weighing 59,666 lbs
• Beef weighing 99,187 lbs
• 51.994 lb of ham
• Steaks weighing 43,767 lbs
• 38.400 pounds sweet potatoes
• Pizzes and cakes weighing in at 68.465lbs
• 234.61 gallons eggnog

Col. Larry Dean is the director of DLA Troop Support’s subsistence supply chain. He stated that Thanksgiving “is one of our most important meals of the year.” It’s important to feel like home when you don’t have it, he said.