NAVSUP GLS Commander Visits Sailors of NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound

By Brian J. Davis, NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound Corporate Communications

BREMERTON, Wash. (NNS) -- The Commander of Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Global Logistics Support (GLS) wrapped up a three-day visit with four regional facilities in the Pacific Northwest run by NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Puget Sound July 29.

The purpose of the visit of NAVSUP GLS Commander, Rear Adm. James McNeal was to view NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound operations and see firsthand the diverse scope of activities and services the Sailors, Department of Defense civilians, and contractors provide to operational and shore-based units in the area, and to understand the day-to-day challenges they face.

The admiral met with NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound personnel at four locations; Naval Base Kitsap (NBK) Bremerton and Bangor, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, and Naval Station Everett.

"Providing global logistics to a global Navy is a team sport. The focus of NAVSUP GLS is supporting the fleet logistics centers so you can support the fleet," said McNeal.

Along with touring the various NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound activities and speaking to staff, McNeal met with unit commanders supported by NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound to gain a 'customer's perspective' on the quality of services the command provides to the fleet.

"Your reputation is impeccable," McNeal told a group of FLC Puget Sound Sailors and civilians during an admiral's call at NBK Bremerton. "We want happy customers and your customers are delighted."

During his visit, McNeal also visited Sailors at work in a flight line "hot pit" aircraft refueling station and an EA-18G "Growler" simulator at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, a Strategic Weapons Facility Pacific (SWFPAC) missile assembly facility at NBK Bangor, and went aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86) in Everett.

NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound, one of eight fleet logistics centers under NAVSUP GLS, provides operational logistics, business and support services to Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and other Joint and Allied Forces. Products and services include contracting, fuels, global logistics, hazardous material management, household goods, integrated logistics support, material management, postal, regional transportation and warehousing.

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.

Carrier Strike Group 4 Commander Visits USS Arlington

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Stevie Tate, USS Arlington Public Affairs

ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Commander of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 4 Rear Adm. Richard W. Butler visited the amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) while the ship was underway for the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group's (ARG) composite unit training exercise (COMPTUEX), July 28.

During the course of his visit, crew members provided Butler a thorough tour of the ship's spaces, including the combat and control center (CIC) and the ship's medical ward, where the crew recently trained to process detainees and non-combatant evacuees.

"It was a great opportunity to show Rear Adm. Butler a ship like Arlington right as we are making preparations for our maiden deployment," said Personnel Specialist 3rd Class Raul Florencio. "We're very proud of this ship, and we're proud to show visitors all of the hard work we have put in to making Arlington the best ship in the fleet."

Butler also took time to congratulate Arlington's Sailors of the Quarter, Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Jamin Beaugard, Fire Controlman 2nd Class Joshua Toohey, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Austin Harris and Fireman Diana Amimo.

"The visit to Arlington was a wonderful one and I really enjoyed speaking to the crew as I toured the ship," said Butler. "This ship has done a great job during COMPTUEX and I wish the captain and his crew the best of the luck on the upcoming deployment."

Arlington is currently underway with the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) which is composed of Arlington, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 4 staff, USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).

Commanded by Capt. Sean Bailey, Arlington is preparing for its maiden deployment this fall.

International Internship Strengthens Naval Bonds

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

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- U.S. and Japanese naval supply leaders gathered together July 28 at the Officer's Club on board Yokosuka Naval Base to recognize a recent graduate from their joint training program, which dates back to 1952.

U.S. Sailors from Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistic Center (FLC) Yokosuka and members of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) have been gathering several times a year for more than six decades to honor the young Japanese supply officers that complete their joint internship program as a member of one of the U.S. Navy's elite supply commands.

"The United States is a very important ally of Japan for our national security and the U.S. Navy is the most important partner for JMSDF," said Capt. Hiroki Saigawa, commanding officer, JMSDF Ship Supply Depot (SSD). "It is necessary for us, JMSDF and U.S. Navy, that we deepen our mutual understanding."

Every internship is approximately seven months in length and the Japanese junior officers who are selected to attend the program and work alongside their U.S. counterparts are the most elite candidates in their field.

"How our commands have been linked together through this internship program and other training opportunities over the decades is very unique to us and I can honestly say that, through this relationship -- it is us...here now, in this room, that are making a difference in continually strengthening the bond between Japan and America," said Cmdr. Paul Dougherty, executive officer, NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka. "What an exciting challenge and responsibility that we are fulfilling."

This joint internship program has graduated more than 180 Japanese Supply Corps officers many of whom become senior level professionals in the JMSDF logistics system with three interns having gone on to reach the rank of rear or vice admiral within the JMSDF.

"During my training here, I was so blessed with all of you who guided me in such friendly and generous ways," said Lt. Akifumi Hyodoh, the 182nd and most recent graduate of the joint internship program.

Hyodoh shared how he will be taking the logistics knowledge he has gained from his colleagues at NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka, as well as his friendships, with him as he transfers to his next assignment within the JMSDF as the supply officer onboard the guided missile destroyer JDS Chokai (DDG 176), which is homeported in Sasebo, Japan.

Hyodoh served in the NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka Industrial Support Department (Code 500), which has a mission of supporting the U.S. Navy Ship Repair Facility/Japan Regional Maintenance Center (SRF/JRMC) - PACFLT's only overseas ship repair and modernization maintenance facility.

To meet the material requirements of our largest industrial customer, in order to support the 19 Japan-based FDNF ships and their requisite industrial maintenance schedules, the team must work tirelessly, said Michael Schoedler, deputy director, Code 500.

"There were some hard times during my work here, but it was also a great opportunity to improve myself personally as well as professionally," said Hyodoh.

"I hope this internship program bares fruit for the future and our great relationship between U.S. Navy and JMSDF lasts forever," said Saigawa.

"Thank you to all our JMSDF partners for being part of this great endeavor to maintain and strengthen our understanding of one another as well as our steadfast alliance," added Dougherty.

NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka, one of eight fleet logistics centers under NAVSUP Global Logistics Support (GLS), 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.