Photo By James Foehl | 181120-N-PX557-0089 PORT ORCHARD, Wash. (Nov. 20, 2018) Jeff Safford and Chris...... read more read more
MECHANICSBURG, Pa. -- Refueling, rearming, resupplying, and repairing ships in ways that allow the fleet to sustain readiness and operate globally is a top priority for Supply Corps officers throughout the Navy.
Rising to the challenges of a rapidly changing security environment, Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Business Systems Center (BSC) Regional Support Sites are postured to provide responsive logistics (LOG) information technology (IT) support to our Sailors throughout the fleet.
"NAVSUP BSC Regional Support Sites’ personnel function much like Navy Damage Controlman. But instead of firefighting, they operate, repair, and maintain LOG IT systems and equipment for our customers," said Capt. Douglas M. Bridges Jr., commanding officer, NAVSUP BSC. "They're strategically positioned at fleet concentration areas to maintain NAVSUP systems for our ships, both ashore and at sea. They train personnel how to use the systems and act as first responders should a LOG IT fire break out."
Positioned regionally to sustain support globally, NAVSUP BSC Regional Support Sites are located in: Norfolk, Va.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Puget Sound, Wash.; San Diego, Calif.; and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
“We’re directly across the street from the piers and can be on the ship in 10 to 15 minutes. We know the ships, the Sailors, and what they’re doing,” said Richard Brittingham, supervisor for NAVSUP BSC Regional Support Site Norfolk, Va.
NAVSUP BSC Regional Support Site Norfolk bolsters a wide-variety of assistance to the region for multiple systems and projects.
Systems such as Hazardous Inventory Control System for Windows (HICSWIN), the software management tool used to record, report, track, and manage hazardous material for ship’s personnel.
“We provide support for 55 sites worldwide as well as Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Norfolk and all Atlantic-based ships currently using HICSWIN," said Brittingham. “Being embedded with the fleet allows us to have a clear understanding of ships’ operational schedules and ensure their systems are up-to-date and functional.”
In addition to direct support, NAVSUP BSC Regional Support Site Norfolk also administers remote and follow-on assistance while ships are at sea.
“Even if they’re in the Middle East, we can still send files directly to the ship,” said Brittingham.
Ensuring the operation and secure configuration of LOG IT systems in the Southeast region, NAVSUP BSC Regional Support Site Jacksonville, Fla., has the watch.
“We contacted NAVSUP BSC, and in 15 minutes they were there to help us,” said Logistics Specialist Seaman Ryan McCaffrey, assigned to the Ticonderoga-class cruiser, USS Philippine Sea (CG-58), homeported at Naval Station Mayport, Fla.
“The readiness of the fleet depends on the availability of the ‘things’ [Sailors] need to do their job,” said John Potts, lead technical analyst for NAVSUP BSC Regional Support Site Jacksonville. “Our primary mission here is to provide these ‘things’ through LOG IT support in order to maintain and sustain effective supply-chain management. That has a direct impact on fleet readiness.”
In addition to sustaining current LOG IT systems, the team is modernizing FLC Jacksonville’s warehouse stock control by incorporating Navy Mobile Computing technology.
“Navy Mobile Computing consolidates secure automated-identification technology with mobile tablets, scanners, and printers. This allows warehouse employees to quickly locate and accurately track incoming and outgoing materials without being confined to a desk,” said Potts.
In conjunction with integrating mobile technology, the NAVSUP BSC Jacksonville team also administers training to personnel using their systems.
"We do whatever is needed to support our customers, remotely or onsite, in the most cost-effective way,” said Potts.
This includes supporting the readiness of Sailors and their families by leading a nationwide Personal Property Office (PPO) kiosk program.
“These kiosks are installed at PPOs throughout the fleet, giving Sailors secure access to the move.mil site to execute their permanent change of station (PCS) orders,” said Potts.
Providing secure configuration of kiosks, access control, maintenance, and sustainment of these systems allows Sailors to seamlessly plan PCS moves with accuracy and assistance of PPO personnel.
“This is critical. If Sailors are worried about where their belongings are, they can’t focus on their jobs,” said Potts.
Providing support for Pacific Fleet-based ships and Sailors, NAVSUP BSC Regional Support Sites in Puget Sound, San Diego, and Pearl Harbor are on call.
“We directly support the Navy warfighter here,” said Malia Miller, lead for NAVSUP BSC Regional Support Site Puget Sound, Wash. “When ships pull in, we’re the IT specialists that ensure critical systems such as HICSWIN and Navy Cash are installed and remain online while ashore.”
Positioned at Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Wash., NAVSUP BSC’s Puget Sound team plays an integral role in managing the application and production data for Fuel Asset Maintenance Management System (FAMMS).
“FAMMS is used to manage the preventative and corrective maintenance of assets that contain and carry fuel such as the pumps, pipes, and tanks. Additionally, it tracks fuel-testing data performed by a majority of the FLC’s fuel labs worldwide.
“We keep the green light on by ensuring our users have access to the application and assist to maintain data integrity of FAMMS for customers from Europe, throughout the U.S., and Japan,” said Miller.
When fuel is received from tankers at Manchester Fuel Department, it immediately touches FAMMS assets and is tested by FLC chemists.
Fuels go through a variety of tests to ensure usability. Testing data such as flashpoint and freeze point are directly input to FAMMS assuring the integrity, traceability, and accountability of the fuel from start to finish.
“The fuel asset and product testing data, need to be accounted for in FAMMS for audit and distribution of quality fuel,” said Miller.
Whether refueling, rearming, resupplying, or repairing ships, NAVSUP BSC is postured to provide global LOG IT support to ships and Sailors throughout the fleet.
"From bombs and bullets to food and fuel, NAVSUP BSC is positioned to render responsive LOG IT support to Navy operations across the globe," said Bridges. "Through our Regional Support Sites, we're able to see the environment our Sailors work in first-hand, identify specific issues, and fix them very quickly."
NAVSUP BSC provides the Navy with information systems support through the design, development, and maintenance of information systems in the functional areas of logistics, supply chain management, transportation, finance, and accounting and is one of 11 commands under Commander, NAVSUP. Headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pa., and employing a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel, NAVSUP's mission is to provide supplies, services, and quality-of-life support to the Navy and joint warfighter.
For more information about NAVSUP BSC, visit https://www.navsup.navy.mil/public/navsup/bsc/.
| Date Taken: | 05.03.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 05.06.2019 07:46 |
| Story ID: | 320645 |
| Location: | MECHANICSBURG, PA, US |
| Web Views: | 103 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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