NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Yokosuka Supports Diplomacy Tours

By H. Sam Samuelson, NAVSUP GLS Corporate Communications

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Yokosuka lends ongoing logistics support to President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during their visit to the Asia-Pacific region Nov. 16-20.

"Our sites in Singapore, Indonesia and the Republic of the Philippines are a networked military logistics backbone for these visits," said Cmdr. Jose Sanchez, NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka's operations officer.

"From area transportation, to lodging, and direct fleet support to ships with Joint Task Force (JTF) POTUS Support, we are ensuring the president and the secretary of state receive everything and anything they need to accomplish their missions," he said.

Obama will visit Indonesia for a security summit with Asian nations; meanwhile, Clinton will visit the Philippines to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the U.S. - Republic of the Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.

Obama's visit to Indonesia requires significant logistics planning among NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka and Sites Jakarta and Singapore.

Preparations for the executive level visit began when a logistics line of communication (LOC) system was established to ensure the supply and delivery of immediate or emergent material support for JTF POTUS platforms USS Essex (LHD 2) and USS Stethem (DDG 63) when and as often as needed.

"One true measure of the LOC is how quickly it allows our different sites and dets to connect, communicate and respond," Sanchez said. "It's providing the right support at the right time, every time."

Sanchez said NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka, Site Jakarta partnership with the Embassy of the United States Jakarta, remains a critical link for the POTUS visit.

"We're juggling resources from multiple agencies to provide direct logistics support for this visit," said NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka Site Jakarta's Logistics Specialist 1st Class Mark Bettencourt, FLC Yokosuka's go-to logistics point of contact in Indonesia.

Meanwhile NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka's Site, Manila arranged logistics support for the USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) the selected platform for the U.S - R.P. Mutual Defense Treaty 60th anniversary commemoration at which Clinton attended to represent the United States.

"Even before the secretary's visit, we rushed parts, equipment and mail to the Fitzgerald while arranging to get the ship pier side," said NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka Site Director Jun Garcia. "And one day before the ceremony, we delivered four pallets of administrative supplies.

"We take a lot of pride in providing logistics services to the fleet," Garcia said, "especially when one of those fleet platforms serves as the center stage for an important event as the mutual defense commemoration and a visit by the secretary of state.