Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center (NAVSUP FLC) Puget Sound provided critical logistics support for the deployment of USS Nimitz (CVN 68), which departed June 1.

Nimitz left for a regularly scheduled deployment, and NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound provided support during the weeks and months leading up to the ship's departure.

Chief Logistics Specialist Jay Tolentino, a NAVSUP FLC Puget sound logistics support representative (LSR), stood by on the pier ready to address any last-minute logistical details as Nimitz got underway.

"My purpose here is to make sure that all material, provisions, and any last minute logistic requirements the ship needs to have a successful mission are on board prior to deployment," said Tolentino.

According to Tolentino, the NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound Logistics Support Center (LSC) team supported Nimitz with daily deliveries of high priority parts and materials, and delivered 200 pallets of stock materials and 1,102 pallets of food provisions.

NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound supported the huge task of preparing for deployment in a number of ways beyond the delivery of parts, supplies and provisions.

The NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound fuel department at the Manchester Fuel Depot provided Nimitz with aviation fuel transported via fuel barge and commercial trucks. The fuel department also provided support to USS Kidd (DDG 100) and USS Shoup (DDG 86) prior to their deployment with the Nimitz Strike Group.

The NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound postal operations department spent months preparing Nimitz postal activities for the deployment, conducting training to qualify designated Sailors to operate metering equipment and perform official postal functions.

"The most important thing we do on the ship's behalf is to conduct a preliminary and final, complete top-to-bottom official mail program inspection," said Rick Buchart, NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound regional postal operations manager.

NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound also provides courtesy storage of hazardous materials (HAZMAT) while the ship is in port, and coordinates the reutilization and delivery of HAZMAT stock to the ship prior to deployment.

The HAZMAT team ensures the ship's crew has the necessary inventory of lubricants, paint, solvents, and such needed for the day-to-day operation of the ship and its systems.

The NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound contracting department provides ongoing support for purchasing goods and services, both in port and at sea.

While the pre-deployment work may be over, the NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound team will continue to provide logistics services to Nimitz, as well as its embarked units and other vessels attached to Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11, throughout the deployment.

Nimitz will continue to require supplies and materials while at sea. One of the biggest challenges for the LSC is to make sure materials that arrive in Bremerton are promptly delivered to the ship while underway.

"We will be supporting Nimitz during the entire deployment. We will assist in the tracking and shipment of any material they require," said Tolentino.

Postal Operations will continue their support by assisting each of the CSG-11 ships with working out mail routing issues that can sometimes occur at ports they may visit.

"Even though the ships may be thousands of miles away, it's still our responsibility to take care of them," said Buchart.

Preparing for deployment and sustaining the ships and their crews through the weeks and months at sea involves several departments in the NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound organization.

"It's a team effort to support the mission," said Tolentino.

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/navsup/ourteam/navsupgls/navsupflcps or find it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/navsupflcps.

For more NAVSUP Global Logistics Support, visit http://www.navsup.navy.mil/navsup/ourteam/navsupgls/news/ or http://www.facebook.com/navsupgls/.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

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