Personnel from Naval Supply Systems Command Global Logistics Support (NAVSUP GLS) helped load supplies for Project Handclasp, the U.S. Navy's humanitarian assistance program, August 23, 2016.

The medical supplies were flown from Naval Air Station North Island to Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., and will ultimately be transported to the Caribbean island of Barbados via the U.S. Navy's surface fleet.

Lt. j.g. Michael Zervas of NAVSUP GLS Code 43 logistics operations center, and Mr. Darin Bratcher, material handler for NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) San Diego, facilitated the supply load and transport.

Zervas recently assumed the duties of managing Project Handclasp since NAVSUP GLS stood-up its new Code 43 June 6, 2016. Since then, he has focused on creating efficiencies in running Navy logistics for the program.

"Since Lt. j.g. Zervas's assignment to Project Handclasp he has cleaned-up our inventory, reached-out to fellow stakeholders, and coordinated the movement of materials directly to our unit issuing activities," said Cmdr. Mark Sheffield, NAVSUP GLS Code 43 operations officer.

Project Handclasp is facilitated through three different entities including the U.S. Navy via NAVSUP GLS Code 43; the Project Handclasp Foundation; and the customers, or humanitarian supply end-users.

In support of its mission, Project Handclasp coordinates the receipt, short-term storage, and space-available transportation of properly donated non-federal entity goods via U.S. Navy vessels in support of humanitarian aid operational requirements.

Zervas explained his primary role for the Navy logistics he overseas in support of Project Handclasp.

"We have already established a battle rhythm with the warehouses, while synching with the battle rhythm of the fleet operational planners, in order to establish a fiscal year training schedule with which we can embed our Project Handclasp requirements," said Zervas.

In today's modern Navy focusing on efficiencies helps to save tax payer dollars, which ultimately better serves the supply end-user and, in the case of Project Handclasp, better services nations in need.

"We are establishing demands in advance, so that we can be proactive rather than reactive in providing logistics services for Project Handclasp," said Zervas.

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.

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