Twenty-one Navy employees from Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Business Systems Center (BSC) in Mechanicsburg, Pa., traveled to the Hampton Roads, Va. area of operation to participate in NAVSUP BSC's "Meet the Fleet", May 21-24.

The four-day event served as an opportunity to increase readiness by providing a broadened perspective of fleet operations across multiple warfare areas, allowing hands-on interaction with Sailors and promoting an understanding of challenges faced by fleet personnel in order to identify areas for improvement across NAVSUP BSC supported systems.

"Employees who attend 'Meet the Fleet' gain a better understanding of Navy life, warfighter needs, and how NAVSUP BSC supports supply operations for afloat, ashore, and expeditionary forces," said Capt. Douglas M. Bridges Jr., commanding officer, NAVSUP BSC.

During the trip, employees had the chance to familiarize themselves with fleet personnel and operations from the surface, air, submarine, and expeditionary warfare communities during tours of USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), USS Boise (SSN 764), USNS Comfort, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Expeditionary Support Unit Two, Assault Craft Unit Two, Assault Craft Unit Four, Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk, and Naval Air Station Oceana.

"The real benefit to the trip was that we were able to see what types of vessels, units and missions are out there," said Therese G. Brehm, project manager for NAVSUP BSC.

"Now when we work through the specifics of the applications we are developing and supporting, we'll have a much better understanding of the challenges that the operational units face. Seeing the size of the ships' stores and knowing that they are supporting hundreds of crew members on the bigger ships, highlights the need for us to consider system performances such as speed and efficiency as a key design factor for applications," said Brehm.

This year's trip also included a visit to the Navy Exchange on board Naval Station Norfolk and the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Va.

"'Meet the Fleet' was an awesome, eye-opening experience. Touring the ships and seeing the supply processes in person gave me a new perspective on the importance of our task," said Leslie Yeckley, information technology specialist for NAVSUP BSC. "By talking to those that coordinate supplying ships and aircraft, it paints a clearer picture of the enormity of the job, helps to understand the volume of supplies and parts that are needed, and the urgency to be ready for deployment at all times," she said.

For more information about NAVSUP BSC visit, http://www.navsup.navy.mil/public/navsup/bsc/.

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