The outgoing commanding officer aboard USS Lake Erie (CG 70) presented five NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) San Diego Sailors with personal awards for their efforts in completely transforming the cruiser's supply department operations Oct. 22.

Capt. Douglas Kunzman presented the awards following completion of the FLC San Diego "Tiger Team's" four-month, full-time endeavor of rejuvenating supply department logistics operations aboard the guided-missile cruiser.

"It is a rare pleasure to see your Sailors recognized by an operational commanding officer for lacing up their boots, hitting the deckplates and assisting the ship's crew," said Capt. John Palmer, NAVSUP FLC San Diego commanding officer. "Capt. Kunzman is well aware of the importance of logistics to the ship's mission and, with FLC San Diego's assistance, he drove major improvements in accountability and observance of afloat supply procedures on board."

Awarded were Logistics Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Cherrilyn Palis; Logistics Specialist 1st Class (SS) Ryan King; Logistics Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Christopher Klock; Logistics Specialist 1st Class (SW) Drupaul Singh; and Logistics Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Sebastine Agbo. The Sailors received a total of four Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals and one letter of commendation, respectively.

While aboard Lake Erie, the tiger team conducted a complete inventory of ship repair parts totaling more than 12,000 line items. In doing so, the Sailors identified and corrected 935 location discrepancies, enabling the ship's crew to more effectively store and locate repair parts needed to keep the vessel maintained and operational at sea. As a result, Lake Erie now enjoys an efficient inventory system that boasts more than 99% accuracy. Additionally, 560 obsolete parts were identified and redistributed, freeing up valuable shipboard space while benefiting other surface ships in the fleet.

Along with the inventory support, the tiger team revamped the ship's various financial programs, established a shelf life program for tracking material longevity, improved and established thorough supply accounting and financial management systems and conducted dozens of hours of training on topics ranging from records management to ethics.

"It makes me feel good to look after my shipmates," said Logistics Specialist 1st Class (SW) Drupaul Singh, tiger team and supply customer service leading petty officer. "Having been through these processes before aboard ships, I know how it is to navigate through some of the difficulties. I never had anybody come aboard my ship and train me or prepare me for a big inspection, but I'm in a position now where I can help make that contribution for my shipmates who need that kind of assistance."

As the ashore "solution central" in support of activities throughout the Navy's Southwest Region, the command is charged with providing combat capability by way of forward-thinking logistics. Through the Sailors' logistics-specific efforts, Lake Erie is now better equipped to head back to the tip of the spear as it concludes its yard maintenance period.

"Our ultimate goal is to have the ship be as self-sufficient as possible with their repair parts program when they are underway and at the most critical points of their deployments," said Master Chief Logistics Specialist (SW/AW) Roy Dimapilis, integrated logistics support department leading chief petty officer for NAVSUP FLC San Diego. "When they've got the system down to muscle memory, they can focus on the fight. They've got to be surge-ready and deployable in every aspect, including supply operations. That's where we deliver."

NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center San Diego, one of eight fleet logistics centers under NAVSUP Global Logistics Support, provides global 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 comprises more than 5,700 military and civilian logistics professionals, contractors and foreign nationals operating as a single cohesive team providing global logistics services from 110 locations worldwide.

A component of the Naval Supply Systems Command headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pa., NAVSUP GLS is part of a worldwide logistics network of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel providing combat capability through logistics.

For more news from Naval Supply Systems Command, visit www.navy.mil/.