NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) San Diego conducted the first fuel delivery utilizing its new Defense Fuel Support Point (DFSP) Point Loma fuel pier as it topped off Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO 187) Feb. 10 in San Diego.

The fueling marks the near-completion of Military Construction Project (MILCON) P-1306, an $84 million renovation awarded in 2013 as part of a series of fuel facilities upgrades aimed at extending facility life expectancy, reducing operating costs, providing increased storage capability, and improving overall safety.

"Fuels play an integral role in our overall warfighter readiness," said Commanding Officer Capt. Michelle Morse. "The old pier provided more than a century of service, and we are pleased that this new, more technologically advanced pier will keep our Navy and allied forces well equipped to perform their tasks and missions -- whether for training or emergent contingencies -- well beyond the next generation of warfighters."

The NAVSUP FLC San Diego DFSP fuels team is charged with providing petroleum, oil, and lubricant logistics support to 86 homeported ships, submarines, and transient vessels. It is the cornerstone for providing tactical fuel support to Navy command units operating in the southern California operations area, supporting the largest concentration of naval forces in the world.

With 17 fueling stations, the new pier is equipped to issue JP-5 jet fuel, diesel fuel (marine), and lubricating oils, while also having the capability to off-load contaminated petroleum products. Military Sealift Command-contracted fuel tanker MT Empire State (T-AOT 5193) was the first customer to offload such products at the pier Feb. 2.

"The new pier is a shining example of mission accomplishment through successful partnerships and team effort," said Southwest Regional Fuels Officer Lt. Cmdr. Brian Madden. "Successfully fueling this ship at our new facility is a direct result of a dedicated Navy and contractor team that balanced safety, quality, and production while ensuring all fuel distribution requirements were met through every phase of construction."

The new, double-decker fuel pier is the first of its kind; developed with evolving environmental and seismic standards in mind and boasting a 75-year minimum service life design.

"When you are in the business of providing 400 million gallons of fuels per year at a rate of 300,000 gallons per hour, it is absolutely critical to have the most advanced equipment and facilities available," said Morse. "The Navy and its customers are going to benefit from even safer, more environmentally-conscious fueling evolutions moving forward."

An official ribbon cutting ceremony will be held following the next phase of project completion milestones. Total completion of MILCON P-1306 is slated for early 2018.

NAVSUP FLC San Diego, one of eight fleet logistics centers under NAVSUP Global Logistics Support (GLS), provides operational 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 provides global logistics for a global Navy. The organization is made up of more than 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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For more news from Naval Supply Systems Command, visit http://www.navy.mil/.