When Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Dallas (SSN 700) arrived at Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton to begin the process of inactivation and decommissioning, Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center (NAVSUP FLC) Puget Sound Logistics Support Representatives were waiting on the pier, ready to assist.

The NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound Logistics Support Center (LSC) has been providing support services to the Dallas crew since the submarine's arrival May 22.

When most people think about providing logistics support to the fleet, they think of the people behind the scenes providing supplies, fuel, food, and machinery parts that ships and submarines need to accomplish their operational missions. The work that goes into inactivation of a vessel isn't something that readily comes to mind.

As Dallas pulled into NBK-Bremerton, Logistics Support Representatives (LSR) Joe Wells and Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Ervin Flores from the NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound LSC were standing by at the pier to render assistance.

"The LSC is the single point of contact for the decommissioning units. Prior to the Dallas's arrival, we initiate contact and assign an LSR so that the unit has a point of contact to address issues, concerns, or if they require any additional support," said Edgardo "Eddie" Edrosa, deputy operations officer, NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound.

Wells and Flores met with the Dallas supply officer and supply team to provide information about the local area, supply processes, and to render information and assistance as needed. The LSRs set up a work space ashore for the crew to process turn-ins of depot level repairable (DLR) material back into the supply system, and provided assistance with establishing NMCI and Navy eRetrograde Management System (eRMS) accounts the Sailors needed to process DLR material.

"When the system accounts for Sailors to process DLRs are established, LSC representatives conduct training on the proper packaging and preservation of DLR material in accordance with Navy requirements and how to prepare a manifest for shipment," said Edrosa.

Additionally, all excess materials aboard, such as supplies and unused food provisions, have to be removed from the vessel and processed. The Dallas is currently in the process of offloading and processing material excess and preparing the ship for the subsequent phase of defueling. After the submarine is defueled at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, the hull will be retained in storage until decommissioning.

USS Buffalo (SSN 715) arrived at NBK-Bremerton May 26 to initiate the same inactivation and decommissioning process as Dallas.

Dallas was commissioned on July 18, 1981 and left its home port in Groton, Connecticut for the last time on March 24.

Buffalo, which departed from its homeport of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii, was commissioned on November 5, 1983.

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 approximately 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.

For news and information about NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound, visit www.navsup.navy.mil/public/navsup/flcps/ or find it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/navsupflcps.