APS-5 conducts site survey in Japan

Photo By Galen Putnam | Author Bill M. Oakley poses with an APS-4 Large Tug at Yokohama North Dock, Japan.  

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT

06.14.2011

Courtesy Story

402nd Army Field Support Brigade

Story by: Bill M. Oakley

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - The 2nd Battalion, 401st Army Field Support Brigade, sent two personnel from Army Prepositioned Stocks-5 in Kuwait to conduct a site survey of APS-4 operations in Korea and to visit Watercraft Equipment Base, Yohohoma North Dock, Japan, in March.

Bill M. Oakley, watercraft site manager, and Capt. Amy Cory, 2/401st supply officer, toured facilities and discussed best practices with key APS-4 personnel from Watercraft operations in Japan and with APS-4 management in Korea. APS-4 personnel included Dave Wilder, site manager, WEB-YND; Lt. Col. Doug Pietrowski, commander, Army Field Support Battalion – Northeast Asia; Gary A. Marquez, deputy to the commander, AFSBn-NEA; and Department of the Army civilians manning the APS-4 warehouses in both Japan and Korea.

The sites visited included the Watercraft Site, located on North Dock in Yohohoma, Japan, the AFSBn-NEA, located at Camp Carroll, Korea, and multiple APS-4 warehouses located in Japan and Korea.

The primary focus for the Watercraft Equipment Site, Kuwait site manager was to develop a “teaming” relationship with the sister unit in Japan, which is structured with nearly identical boating equipment. The visit focused on command and control operations at each site, warehouse management, and how the unit’s respective contracts are structured. Review of C2 revealed that both Watercraft elements are structured similarly. Two major differences noted between the two watercraft sites were in manning of the staffs, both for the government oversight team and for the contractor team. The WEB-YND in Japan has an Alternate Contracting Officer’s Representative on staff and the contractor Supply Cell has four highly trained personnel working supply issues. Two are expert Army War Reserve Deployment System technicians and two are U.S. Army trained warehousemen.

Although some Contract Line Item Numbers in the WEB-YND contract were deemed beneficial in areas that address supply management and in the makeup of the contractor Supply Cell, a complete analysis revealed that the current contract structure in Kuwait has advantages in respect to maintenance support.

The visit to WEB-YND and to AFSBn-NEA in Korea proved very beneficial as best practices at each site were shared. Upon return to Kuwait, the best practices obtained from WEB-YND were passed down to the WES-K contractor, incorporated into the WES-K PWS and re-write recommendations for the upcoming 2012 contract, and placed into all standard operating procedures that were applicable. Best practices discussed between WES-K and WEB-YND will help improve operations at each site. If the best practices concerning supply management are approved and implemented into the contract by Mission and Installation Contracting Command, Fort Eustis, Va., the recommended changes will enhance WES-K site operations for many years to come.

• Date Taken: 06.14.2011
• Date Posted: 06.14.2011 11:15
• Story ID: 72060
• Location: CAMP ARIFJAN, KW