Camp Lemonnier Sailors work onboard a USNS vessel

Courtesy Photo | GULF OF ADEN - Logistics Specialist 3rd Class Alan Bradford assists with a vertical replenishment to support United States Ships (USS) at sea. NAVSUP FLC Sigonella stands ready to fulfill logistic responsibilities and serves as a vital link to enable mission success across Europe and Africa. NAVSUP FLC Sigonella is one of eight fleet logistics centers under NAVSUP, which provides global logistics, business and support services to fleet, shore and industrial commands of the Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Air Force, Army and allied forces. Services include contracting, regional transportation, fuel, material management, household goods movement support, postal and consolidated mail, warehousing, global logistics and husbanding, hazardous material management, and integrated logistics support. (Courtesy Photo)  

PORT OF DJIBOUTI, DJIBOUTI

03.25.2018

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel Richards 

Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti – The familiarity onboard a United States Naval Ship (USNS) is uncommon knowledge to the average person. USNS is the prefix given to non-commissioned vessels operated by the Military Sealift Command. Two Sailors assigned to the Camp Lemonnier logistics department experienced life first-hand on one of these ships while deployed in the Horn of Africa.

Logistics Specialist Third Class Alan Bradford spent 14 days in December 2017 supporting mission efforts on the USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE-11). During this time, he lived and worked as one of the crew members.

“Everything happened so quickly from the first day,” said Bradford. “I assisted with the ship’s monthly audit, ensuring accountability for the ships inventory for each department. I then documented the stock quantities using the ship’s computerized system.”

This was Bradford’s first time underway on a vessel, so every evolution was new and exciting.

“The experience made me feel like an actual Sailor, which is why I joined the Navy. I learned many valuable skills and witnessed behind the scenes what happens to the cargo once it leaves The Port of Djibouti,” said Bradford.

Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) is known as the supplier to the fleet. Specifically, NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Sigonella Site Djibouti is comprised of various divisions to include procurement, hazmat reutilization, fuels, food, postal and logistics. The Logistics Division focuses on the replenishment of resources, to include mail, food, parts, and passengers to United States Ships (USS) in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR). This is done through the use of USNS ships via replenishment-at-sea (RAS), the transfer of resources from one ship to another while under way.

The Washington Chambers conducted a RAS with various ships during the 14 day underway period. Bradford assisted in the two way transfer of fuel, water, mail, cargo and food to eight different ships. Of those eight ships, five were USS, one was USNS and two were foreign ships; French and Pakistani. Bradford was instrumental in the loading of over one million gallons of fuel and 550 pallets of mail, food, and general cargo.

Logistics Specialist First Class Luis Llopiz similarly spent roughly the same amount of days at sea onboard the USNS Kanawha (T-AO-196), but during an unexpected mission change for the ship, he had to transfer to the USNS Pecos so he could return back to Djibouti in a timely manner.

“I feel as though I became an actual Sailor on Jan. 16, 2018 while experiencing my first time at sea on the USNS Kanawha,” said Llopiz.

Like Bradford, Llopiz quickly began assisting the crew onboard. After receiving cargo at the Port of Djibouti, Llopiz began receiving, separating, and stocking items for the ship.

“The remaining cargo was sorted by the Kanawha and transferred when the ship performed a RAS with the USS vessels,” said Llopiz.

Llopiz was mostly involved in fueling operations. USNS T-AO ships have the fuel capacity of approximately 7.5 million gallons in multiple tanks.

“I used a sounding tape to measure how much fuel was in a tank before and after a transfer to determine how much fuel was on hand, transferred to the receiving ship, and then remaining,” said Llopiz.

During the transfer of cargo from the Washington Chambers to another ship via helicopter, also known as a vertical replenishment (VERTREP), Bradford learned how to secure the cargo in the net and practiced hooking the bar underneath the helicopter. When it came time for the actual VERTREP, he performed the rehearsed task approximately 35 times without delay.

At the end of Bradford’s time aboard the Washington Chambers, the captain of the ship presented him with a Letter of Appreciation for his support efforts.

“If the opportunity ever presents itself in the future I would definitely do it again, actually, I’m ready to go right now,” said Bradford.

Camp Lemonnier is one of Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia, installations that conducts eight lines of operation to support air operations, port operations, safety, security, housing, MWR, Fleet and Family Support and what is called the core: the fuels, water and power that keep the bases operating.

Camp Lemonnier’s mission includes enabling joint warfighters operating forward and to reinforce the U.S. – Djibouti relationship by providing exceptional services and facilities for the tenant commands, transient U.S. assets and service members.

• Date Taken: 03.25.2018
• Date Posted: 03.25.2018 08:03
• Story ID: 270529
• Location: PORT OF DJIBOUTI, DJ