Personnel from Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center (NAVSUP FLC) Puget Sound provided on-the-spot logistics support for Navy ships making port calls in Portland, Oregon, June 8-12 during the city's annual Portland Rose Festival Fleet Week.

NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound logistics support specialists (LSR's) and postal operations personnel worked behind the scenes for months in advance to make sure the port visit went smoothly for the Navy's littoral combat ship USS Jackson (LCS 6) and guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52).

"Planning began back in March," said Lt. Cmdr. Gina Slaby, NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound operations officer. "Our LSR attended Rose Festival meetings with key personnel from U. S. Navy Region Northwest Antiterrorism Force Protection (ATFP), Harbor Master, Husbanding Service Providers, representatives from 3rd Fleet, and local authorities."

The NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound Postal Operations department provided mail delivery for the two ships while they were in port, including making the 3 1/2 hour trip from Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton Consolidated Postal Facility in Bremerton, Washington to downtown Portland.

"The NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound Postal Operations Division coordinated with each of the fleet units and the NAVSUP Global Logistics Support (GLS) mail routing team to ensure mail was routed and delivered to Jackson and Bunker Hill during their port visit," said Rick Buchart, NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound Northwest region postal operations manager.

Along with providing for typical mission requirements such as parts, supplies, and food provisions, logistics personnel also made contract arrangements for the ships to receive harbor services and pier side support. The NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound LSR team was also involved with preparations for a reception aboard the Bunker Hill hosted by Commander, U. S. Third Fleet for government officials and civilian dignitaries from the local area.

LSRs traveled to Portland prior to the ships' arrival to make final preparations for the visit. There were last minute, high priority supplies and parts that needed to be purchased and delivered; cranes and forklifts needed to be carefully coordinated to show up at the same time as the delivery of food provisions and reception supplies. Deliveries to the pier had to be executed efficiently without interfering with festival events. Logistics support personnel also assisted ships with review and validation of vendor receipts and invoices, and monitored the execution of service contracts.

"The Portland Rose Festival 2017 was executed very successfully in all regards," said Slaby. "Great communication by all the supporting organizations was instrumental to the success of this visit... All the key players were in constant communication, and daily updates were sent back to NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound headquarters via texts, email, and voice calls. Communication was the key in the whole process."

The Portland Rose Festival Fleet Week offers an opportunity to not only tour vessels but to meet Sailors as they showcase their ship's capabilities. Navy warships have been visiting the City of Portland since USS Charleston's visit in 1907.

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.

To read more about the Portland Rose Festival, go to www.rosefestival.org.

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.