New Navy Postal Directory System to Improve Mail Service for Sailors

By Tom Kreidel, NAVSUP FLC Norfolk Office of Corporate Communication

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Personnel from Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk visited USS George Washington (CVN 73) Feb. 9 in part of its current effort to assist area mail facilities with the installation and implementation of a new system to process transferring Sailors' mail quickly.

According to the Regional Navy Mail Center (RNMC) Division Director Jeffrey Gibbs, the Navy Postal Directory System will be on line for all ships as of March 1 and all shore based facilities and mail rooms by March 31.

He says NPDS is a Microsoft Access program that automates the mail processing and record keeping for a command. It stores individual personal address data for current personnel assigned to a command and also stores new data for personnel when they transfer so that mail received by the command may be readdressed and forwarded.

NPDS also prepares and prints address labels for readdressing mail and automatically purges files for transferred personnel.

Gibbs explained that with the old program a command had to be able to receive an Authority to Operate (ATO) to be used on ship and shore computer systems. When unable to obtain an ATO for old system, the command would have to manually keep the data in a card filing system. New addresses would then have to be manually placed on a mail piece for forwarding.

"This will simplify mail redirect services for all Navy commands, which depending on size of command can be a significant manpower savings in time taken to process redirect mail," he added.

Gibbs added that training is a major portion of the support from the mail center.

"The RNMC team has prepared step by step processes for use by all fleet and shore commands for implementation of the new NPDS program," he said. "RNMC provides hands on training and guidance with actual ship and shore command visits, along with training sessions in the RNMC Classroom on the NPDS program for all supported customers."

NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Norfolk, one of eight fleet logistics centers under NAVSUP Global Logistics Support (GLS), provides operational logistics, business and support services to fleet, shore and industrial commands of the Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command and other Joint and Allied Forces. Services include contracting, regional transportation, fuel, material management, household goods movement support, postal and consolidated mail, warehousing, global logistics and husbanding, hazardous material management and integrated logistics support.

NAVSUP GLS provides global logistics for a global Navy. The organization is made up of more than 6,300 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.

AMLEP Boarding Teams Issue Citations Off West Africa

From U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- A combined Ghanaian boarding team completed a second boarding with support from the United States Coast Guard aboard USNS Spearhead (T-EPF 1), Feb. 6, as part of Africa Maritime Law Enforcement Partnership (AMLEP).

The joint Ghanaian boarding team issued the commercial fishing vessel Zhong Lu Yu 1003 a citation and return to port order for a restricted area violation.

Quick Facts:

USNS Spearhead (T-EPF 1) escorted the vessel toward the port of Tema where it was handed off to the Ghanaian Navy for escort into the harbor, where Ghanaian Fisheries authorities will investigate the boat for further violations.

Operations are being conducted from the Military Sealift Command expeditionary fast transport vessel USNS Spearhead (T-EPF 1), in coordination with the Ghanaian maritime operations center. Vessel queries and boardings have commenced and the operation's objectives are to detect and enforce maritime law against illegal activity while also increasing proficiencies of the forces that are participating in the operation.

AMLEP is companion to and nested within the international collaborative capacity-building initiative Africa Partnership Station (APS). APS, like AMLEP, seeks to build maritime security capacity in order to increase maritime safety and security.

USNS Spearhead deployed from Norfolk, Dec. 30, and is on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations to support APS and conduct AMLEP operations.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

Tucson Visits Sasebo During Indo-Asia-Pacific Deployment

By Lt. j.g. Jimmy Dinh, USS Tucson Public Affairs

SASEBO, Japan (NNS) -- Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Tucson (SSN 770) arrived at Fleet Activities Sasebo, Feb. 8, for a visit as part of its deployment to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

The visit strengthens the already positive alliance between the U.S. and Japan through the crew's interaction with the Japanese community. It also demonstrates the U.S. Navy's commitment to maritime security in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.

"Japan is one of our closest allies in the Pacific and the Japanese-American relationship emphasizes our shared dedication to regional peace and stability," said Cmdr. Michael Beckette, commanding officer.

Tucson's crew has the ability to operate in varying environments and is always prepared to tackle any mission that comes its way.

"This will be Tucson's first visit to Japan on this deployment and many crew members are excited to experience the rich culture of Japan," said Senior Chief Electronics Technician Billy Daly Jr., chief of the boat.

Many of Tucson's crew members are excited to experience Japanese culture.

"Being able to visit other nations like Japan and to be immersed in their culture is one of the best perks in the U.S. Navy," said Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Corey Thuringer. "I am excited to share this experience with my fellow shipmates."

Measuring more than 360-feet long, Tucson is one of the stealthiest submarines in the world. This submarine is capable of supporting a multitude of missions including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

Homeported in Pearl Harbor, Tucson can operate in all oceans of the world. Tucson is the 59th Los Angeles-class attack submarine and the 30th of the Improved Los Angeles-class attack submarines to be built.

Twelve vertical launch tubes for Tomahawk cruise missiles and four torpedo tubes provide Tucson with great offensive capabilities and strategic value. Tucson's stealth, endurance, mobility and responsiveness make it a formidable force in multiple mission roles.