2022 in Review: Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella (NAVSUP FLCSI) Site Rota

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class John Owen | Logistics Specialist Seaman Izaziah Johnson, a logistics support representative for Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella (NAVSUP FLCSI) SIte Rota, poses for a photo, Sept. 15, 2022.  

SPAIN

12.15.2022

Courtesy Story

Naval Station Rota, Spain

Located on Naval Station (NAVSTA) Rota, Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella (FLCSI) Site Rota provides logistical, business, and support services to its customers. One of those customers is fleet.

“With four forward-deployed naval forces (FDNF) Europe destroyers homeported at NAVSTA Rota in addition to multiple transient vessels, NAVSUP’s Fleet Support team members stay very busy,” said Cmdr. Bert Phillips, site director for NAVSUP FLCSI-Site Rota.

Fleet support operations require a high level of coordination and communication amongst the division’s logistics support representatives (LSRs) and internal FLCSI divisions such as contracting, transportation, hazardous materials, and fuels. Outside the command, Fleet support works with other NAVSTA Rota departments and tenant commands in addition to the individual entities being serviced.

These routine operations include the onload and offload of cargo and provisions from pierside vessels, coordination of transportation for deployed Sailors, shipping and expediting material across the area of operation (AOR), arranging base access for visitors to NAVSTA Rota, and other husbanding support services.

Typically, one LSR is assigned to a visiting ship to aid in communications and logistics, but team members quickly jump in to help each other.
“Best thing about being stationed at this command is my team,” said Logistics Specialist Seaman Izaziah Johnson, a LSR for NAVSUP FLCSI-Site Rota. “Having good people around you makes everything go smooth.”
While the daily job presents plenty of challenges for the fleet support division in managing simultaneous operations for multiple units – including multiple forward-deployed and transient ships – with the installation’s limited resources. The team continually works together to come up with solutions to these unique logistical challenges every day.

One particular evolution occurred in mid-July required significant coordination between personnel from fleet support, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC), Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133, Navy Exchange Command (NEXCOM), Military Sealift Command (MSC), and NAVSTA Rota. The NAVSUP team was tasked with the offloading of 730 pallets of dry and 430 pallets of frozen provisions from one CLF vessel to another.

The Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Robert E. Peary (T-AKE 5) was returning to homeport following their six-month deployment and the large amount of provisions onboard needed to remain in this area of operation. The provisions would then need to be loaded onboard the Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS William Mclean (T-AKE 12) but due to operational requirements, an at-sea transfer was not possible.

The solution was for the provisions to be offloaded on NAVSTA Rota and then onloaded on the William Mclean when they arrived to port several days later. While NAVSUP FLCSI- Site Rota had dealt with this particular logistical challenge before, it was not to this magnitude.

In previous instances, the installation Galley was able to meet the stowage requirement until it could be onloaded; this time it would not be able to store all the required goods. Working with mission partners throughout the installation, NAVSUP transferred the dry provisions to NEXCOM warehouses utilizing NMCB transportation support. For frozen provisions, the contracting office was able to procure 14 reefer trucks – which was particularly challenging given the global supply chain crisis – until the items could be onloaded onto the William Mclean.

Ultimately the evolution would not have been a possibility without the quick work, coordination and support of the many departments and commands throughout NAVSTA Rota. Their support ensured mission success and that the deployed forces were sustained as they kept the watch throughout the AOR.

Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella (FLCSI) is one of NAVSUP's eight globally-positioned commands that provides for the full range of solutions for logistics, business and support services to the U.S. Naval, Joint, NATO and Allied Forces across 14 enduring and forward operating sites; forward contingency and cooperative security locations in 13 countries in Europe and Africa. FLCSI- Site Rota is a key cog in the logistical support wheel rendered by NAVSUP FLCSI across the AOR and the Fleet Support division in Rota exemplifies this pristine level of support.

• Date Taken: 12.15.2022
• Date Posted: 12.22.2022 10:50
• Story ID: 435726
• Location: ES