Supply management inspection

UNITED STATES

11.20.2021

Story by Seaman Lake Fultz 

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)   

The supply department aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) completed a four-day supply management inspection (SMI) with Chief of Naval Air Forces (CNAF) inspectors who assessed all 13 divisions within supply for inventory management, material condition, sanitization and overall readiness, Nov. 20.
Aircraft carriers go through SMI to assess supply readiness and logistical support, essential elements for battle effectiveness.
The CNAF inspectors are highly qualified prior or active duty Sailors with 20 or more years of supply experience. They are tasked by CNAF to assess all aircraft carriers in the Navy on the supply department’s deployment readiness.
“As assessors, we go through each division thoroughly,” said Cmdr. Don McIntyre, a lead assessor for CNAF’s SMI team. “We’re looking for anything wrong from how paperwork is handled to how the inventory is stored. There is a lot going on in supply, especially on an aircraft carrier.”
With the SMI team reviewing the divisions, the Sailors who manage these work centers were confident they would do well.
“If you’re always ready, you don’t have to worry when something goes wrong,” said Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Fong Vang, a supply department Sailor. “We stay ready whether we’re being inspected or not because you never know when somebody might need a part or a mishap happens and inventory is needed.”
The food services division works around the clock and is constantly serving Sailors food and cleaning the most occupied spaces onboard Abraham Lincoln. With more than 5,000 Sailors and Marines working 12 or more hours a day, nutrition is extremely important for morale and health.
“The inspection helps food services prepare for the long run,” said Culinary Specialist 1st Class Travis Sutton, the food service division leading petty officer. “The assessments are an all hands effort for our division. It helps to prove that each person in the division is more than capable of doing their jobs right and effectively.”
With food services being the largest divisional inspection, five personnel from CNAF were sent to assess each of the messes on cleanliness, sanitization, handling and preparation of food. These assessors have a plethora of knowledge to share with the mess cooks and the food service attendants (FSA) that can help with future inspections and make a more sanitary workspace.
“We can tell that they have learned a lot from previous times we have been onboard,” said McIntyre.
SMI for Abraham Lincoln ended in high praises and higher cheers. With an overall score of 95%, the supply department aboard Abraham Lincoln is deployment ready.

• Date Taken: 11.20.2021
• Date Posted: 12.07.2021 19:26
• Story ID: 410670
• Location: US