U.S. Navy Sailors from Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Yokosuka were welcomed aboard USNS Millinocket (T-EPF 3) for a familiarization tour Sept. 16 during the ship's visit to Yokosuka Naval Base.

The expeditionary fast transport (formerly designated joint high-speed vessel) is operated by Military Sealift Command (MSC), which is the leading provider of ocean transportation for the Navy and the rest of the Department of Defense, allowing for continuous, sustained operations at sea.

"Gaining a better understanding of the operating requirements of MSC assets allows us to better deliver on our promise of delivering the best logistics services available," said Lt. Cmdr. Eric Gardner, NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka operational support officer.

Millinocket is a 338-foot-long aluminum catamaran designed to be fast, flexible and maneuverable even in shallow waters, making it an ideal platform for transporting troops and equipment quickly within a theater of operation. The ship has a 20,000 square foot mission bay area that can be reconfigured to quickly adapt to whatever mission the ship is tasked with, such as carrying containerized portable hospitals or transporting tanks and troops.

"It was awesome to learn the capabilities, seeing the technology from the engine room to the bridge, and spending time with our customer to understand their mission and requirements," said Cmdr. Michael Schilling, NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka operations department director. "Fast transports need fast turnaround times, be it onloads or offloads. Their mission is an important one and we must move just as fast to support."

EPFs are capable of transporting 600 tons of military troops, vehicles, supplies and equipment 1,200 nautical miles at a high average speed of 35 knots and can operate in shallow-draft, austere ports and waterways, providing U.S. forces added mobility and flexibility. The EPFs' aviation flight decks can support day and night flight operations. Each EPF also has sleeping accommodations for up to 146 personnel and airline-style seating for up to 312.

Capt. Erwin Lao, Millinocket's master, discussed how technically advanced the ship's engineering and navigation systems are which provide for a very high level of operational flexibility.

However, because the platform is so new, there are differences in the requirements it needs, said Lao.

"The support team here has been very helpful and proactive with all of our requests and gave me options," said Lao.

Sailors, Marines, Japanese Master Labor Contract (MLC) and United States Civil Service (USCS) employees at NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka provide the daily logistics support for ships like Millinocket as well as Navy, Marine Corps, Department of Defense and other federal activity customers within the 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

"USNS Millinocket plays a strategic role in replenishing subsistence, as well as parts and supplies to our forward-deployed ships," said Lt. j.g. Jessica Magallanes, NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka customer service officer. "[NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka] is the ultimate provider of provisions, so when Millinocket sends their subsistence requisitions to our team we coordinate with our Subsistence Prime Vendors (SPVs) to ensure their order is fulfilled and delivered on time."

"Additionally, we process the other subsistence requisitions from deployed ships that rely on the Millinocket to deliver their orders," said Magallanes, adding along with all her logistics partners in the region, NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka always ensures successful delivery of food and parts.

On any given day there are 50-70 ships and submarines, 140 aircraft and 20,000 Sailors working in 7th Fleet. The NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka team is tracking all those ships individually, supporting their material and port visit requirements, their consumable stores, equipment, parts, as well as mail from home.

Whether service members are aboard one of the U.S. Navy's newest expeditionary fast transport ships or any other vessel plying the blue waters of the Indo-Asia-Pacific, there will always be supply experts at the ready, ensuring mission accomplishment.

NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka, one of eight fleet logistics centers under NAVSUP Global Logistics Support (GLS), is the Western Pacific region's largest U.S. Navy logistics command. Headquartered just 26 miles due south of Tokyo, the enterprise networks more than 20 sites from Misawa, Japan, to Sydney, Australia; Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean to Guam with a mission to deliver supply and logistics solutions that enable deployed maritime warfighter readiness in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

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

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