At the end of July I found myself in England supporting the logistics lead-up to Exercise Saxon Warrior 2017. The exercise is a carrier strike group (CSG) exercise co-hosted by the United States and the United Kingdom. It is focused on interoperability and robust training with key allies across our warfare areas. The purpose is to demonstrate collective power projections capabilities from the sea. The exercise runs from July 31st to August 10th, off the coastal waters of the United Kingdom.
The NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Sigonella enterprise logistics response team (ELRT) deployed to various locations around the United Kingdom including Mildenhall, Faslane, and Portsmouth. Coordination and planning for this team was facilitated from NAVSUP FLC Sigonella in Sigonella, Sicily.
Eight FLCs around the world are aligned as the face of the NAVSUP GLS Enterprise to support one or more supported Navy commanders in accomplishing their missions by providing logistics products and services in both established and expeditionary locations. Besides Sigonella, Sicily, the remaining FLCs are based in Norfolk, Virginia; Jacksonville, Florida; Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; San Diego, California; Yokosuka, Japan; Bremerton (Puget Sound), Washington; and Manama, Bahrain.
The NAVSUP FLC’s Logistics Response Teams (LRTs) deploy personnel on short notice to coordinate and deliver support to operational units in locations where the Navy has little or no organic footprint.
When the supported commander’s logistics requirements exceed the normal capabilities of an individual NAVSUP FLC, personnel from the greater NAVSUP Enterprise come together to form an organic LRT capability. These “Enterprise” LRTs (ELRT) give NAVSUP FLC Sigonella the capability to support the theater commander’s mission with greater depth and for longer periods across the full range of military operations.
No! Not at all. These men and women work day and night to make sure the right parts get to the right people through the right contracts at the right place at the right time. It’s pretty cool when you think about it; it’s downright amazing when you see it in action!
With a successful ELRT deployment within the 6th Fleet Area of Responsibility, NAVSUP FLC Sigonella is well-postured to support expeditionary logistics operations now and in the future.