Sunday, November 15, 2015

NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka Supports Special Olympics in Okinawa



By Sky M. Laron, NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka Director of Corporate Communications

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Yokosuka, Site Okinawa personnel volunteered in support of the 16th Annual Kadena Special Olympics held at the Risner Fitness Center Sports Complex on Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan Nov. 7.

The Site Okinawa Sailors teamed with approximately 1,700 volunteers from different branches of the U.S. military and the local community to assist with the event.

Lt. Gen. John Dolan, U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander, Brig. Gen. Barry Cornish, 18th Wing commander and Masaru Machida, Okinawa Prefectural Government Executive Office of the Governor director general, gave opening remarks, giving their thanks and encouragement to the many athletes, volunteers and spectators on hand.

Special Olympics is a global organization that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion among people with and without intellectual disabilities.

Logistics Specialist 1st Class Valerie Florespagan and Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Duffy both Site Okinawa Sailors, volunteered as athlete buddies, serving as an escort, cheerleader and friend to their athletes.

"It was fun and I'm glad I was able to help out someone else in need," said Duffy.

For the 850 athletes who participated, their buddies helped them honor their oath.

The Special Olympics athlete's oath, which was first introduced by Eunice Kennedy Shriver at the inaugural Special Olympics international games in Chicago in 1968, is "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

More than 4.5 million athletes with intellectual disabilities are involved in Special Olympics programs around the world. In addition, the Special Olympics have more than 1 million coaches and volunteers across 226 Programs in more than 170 countries.

"The Special Olympics mean so much to these athletes," said Lt. Robert Doggett, NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka, Site Okinawa director. "They wait all year for this event and a chance to interact with our service members and we're grateful to be able to participate in such an event and really make a difference in the local community."

For the Site Okinawa personnel who volunteer in their local community on a regular basis, the event will not soon be forgotten.

Site Okinawa is part of NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka, one of eight fleet logistics centers under NAVSUP Global Logistics Support (GLS), which is the Western Pacific region's largest U.S. Navy logistics command, headquartered just 26 miles due south of Tokyo, the enterprise networks more than 20 sites and fuel terminals from Misawa, Japan, to Sydney, Australia; Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean to Guam with a mission to serve the Asia Pacific Region's forward deployed maritime Warfighter with 24/7 operational logistics support integrating an extensive service provider network to deliver fuel, material, mail and supply chain services across the U.S. Navy's largest geographical area of responsibility.

Hari'i Hamutuk Exercise 2015 Officially Closes



By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael Gomez, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3 Public Affairs.

HERA, Timor-Leste (NNS) (NNS) -- Seabees, from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3, marked the end of construction for Exercise Hari'i Hamutuk with a ribbon cutting ceremony at Hera Naval Base and Hera Health Post, Nov. 5.

Representatives from Timor-Leste, Australia, Japan and the U.S., attended to celebrate the successful completion of the projects which included two classrooms, a restroom facility, burn pit and upgrades to a health post, among other projects.

"Hari'i Hamutuk," Tetun for "build together", is a multilateral exercise designed to increase interoperability between U.S. Navy Seabees, U.S. Marine Corps combat engineers, Japan Ground Self Defense Force, Royal Australian engineers and engineers from the Timor-Leste Defense Force (F-FDTL).

"With Exercise Hari'i Hamutuk, we have improved the capabilities of our four militaries to work together to respond to humanitarian relief activities," said Karen Stanton, U.S. ambassador to Timor-Leste. "This enhancement of our joint and combined capabilities will benefit Timor-Leste and the region. Through this exercise we have built the friendships and professional relationships that will enable us to respond together more quickly and effectively to emergency demands."

Engineers from the Fantil-Foras de Defesa de Timor Leste (F-FDTL) Combat Engineer Company, the U.S. Marine Corps 3rd Combat Assault Battalion, the Australian Combat Engineer Regiment, Japanese Ground Self Defense Force and Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 all worked on the projects. A total of 99 personnel participated in the exercise.

Regardless of the different backgrounds, cultures and languages, the units worked together to complete the three major projects and various minor projects over the course of the 30-day exercise, which began Oct. 5.

"We enjoyed working together with military members from different countries," said Builder 1st Class Perry McCombs. "We learned a lot from each other, especially the different traits and style of craftsmanship."

The teams completed a school house, an outside bathroom and storage facility, built wooden lectern, small storage warehouse, burn pit, repaired and resized a soccer field at Hera Naval Base and built a protective security fence around The Hera Health Post grounds.

The new facilities will enhance the infrastructure of the Hera Naval Base, Metinaro Military Base and the Hera Community.

"I've never done anything like that before, it was a great experience. I would love to do it again," said Builder 3rd Class John Skoblicki.

Apart from Exercise Hari'i Hamutuk, Seabees from NCMB 3 are deployed to Timor-Leste to execute engineering civic assistance projects, conduct formal training with the host nation and perform community relations events to help enhance shared capabilities.

NMCB-3 is deployed throughout the Pacific performing critical construction projects in remote areas such as Timor-Leste, Cambodia and the Philippines. The teams are also conducting operations in Yokosuka; Sasebo; Fuji and Okinawa, Japan; Chinhae, Republic of Korea and San Clemente, California.

NMCB-3 provides combatant commanders and Navy component commanders with combat-ready war fighters capable of general engineering, construction and limited combat engineering across the full range of military operations.

NAVSUP GLS Showcases U.S. Navy's Logistics Capabilities to Wharton MBA Students



By Paula Dunn, NAVSUP GLS Corporate Communication

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Navy Supply Systems Command Global Logistics Support (NAVSUP GLS) showcased the world-class logistics capabilities of the U.S. Navy to students from University of Pennsylvania Wharton School at various Navy facilities in San Diego Nov. 9.

"We are honored that one of the best business schools in the world looked to the Navy to learn about excellence in logistics operations," said Rear. Adm. James McNeal, commander NAVSUP GLS. "NAVSUP GLS provides global logistics for a global Navy. Our operating arena is vast, dynamic and can change on short notice based on needs of the fleet. As we say, the sun never sets on our enterprise."

The students spent all day with the Navy visiting supply and logistics organizations at Naval Air Station Coronado, Naval Amphibious Base Coronado and at the Point Loma Naval Base Old Town Complex. The day's activities included briefs by the supply department of USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and Naval Special Warfare Group 1 Logistics Support Unit (LOGSU-1). The students were also given a 3-D parts printing demonstration at Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command Systems Center Pacific.

"Manufacturing and service producing firms are re-examining the structure of their global supply chains, internal processes and sourcing strategy in response to the uncertainties and risks they face in these turbulent times," said Wharton Professor of Manufacturing and Logistics, Morris Cohen, "We came to the Navy because by nature of their business to operate around the world, always remaining ready for any contingency. I knew their logistics, maintenance and fleet support processes would be world-class and provide great value to our students."

The Navy tours and discussions were for Masters of Business Administration (MBA) candidates at Wharton West as part of a course on evolving operations strategies for sourcing manufacturing, distributing products and delivering services with a focus on enhancing quality, productivity and flexibility. During the course, students toured various companies and organizations in the U.S. and Mexico including Google, Costco, Boeing and Amazon.

"The students were engaged and asked great questions. I believe they left with a heightened awareness and respect for the unique challenges facing our Navy's logisticians." said McNeal.

NAVSUP GLS provides global logistics for a global Navy. The organization is made up of more than 6,500 military and civilian logistics professionals operating from 105 locations worldwide providing an extensive array of integrated global logistics and contracting services to Navy, Marine Corps, joint operational units and allied forces across all warfare enterprises.