The strong partnership between Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Jacksonville and Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) was instrumental in returning three bulk fuel tanks to service at Key West, Florida, Corpus Christi and Fort Worth, Texas.

Bulk fuel tanks are typically taken out of service every 10 years to conduct internal tank inspections. Tank inspections can take from six months to three years to complete, depending upon the range of required repairs. Regular inspections ensure tank bottoms are intact and overall tank integrity has not been compromised.

The process of returning a bulk fuel tank into service is governed by newly published guidance from NAVSUP Global Logistics Support (GLS). NAVSUP FLC commanding officers are required to approve tank fill plans prior to returning any fuel tank to normal operating status. Each tank fill plan must contain a set of standard operating procedures that are followed during the fill process.

NAVSUP FLC Jacksonville regional fuel engineers attribute the recent increase in bulk fuel tank return to service to the establishment of regular meetings between the NAVSUP FLC Jacksonville commanding officer and the NAVFAC Southeast commanding officer to discuss tank return to service strategy.

"As with most new procedures, significant effort and collaboration were required by NAVSUP FLC Jacksonville and NAVFAC in order to fully understand and comply with new requirements," said Wayne Wragg, NAVSUP FLC Jacksonville regional fuels engineer. "We now have an established procedure that has been proven successful, and the process beginning with tank repairs and ending with placing a tank back into service is becoming more streamlined."

Moving forward, NAVSUP FLC Jacksonville and NAVFAC anticipate additional bulk fuel tanks returning to service at Defense Fuel Support Point Jacksonville and Naval Air Station Jacksonville in August.

NAVSUP FLC Jacksonville, one of eight FLCs under NAVSUP 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 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.

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