Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Bahrain successfully coordinated a cargo movement from an aerial port of debarkation (APOD), Salalah International Airport, to a seaport of debarkation (SPOD), the Port of Salalah, July 18.

The operation, supported by FLC Bahrain's Oman detachment, included a rigid hull inflatable boat swap to support a casualty report aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87).

Over the last three years, there has been a steady increase in the amount of U.S. Navy port visits to the country of Oman. This steady increase led FLC Bahrain to establish a small detachment at the U.S. Embassy in Muscat to help support the growing logistical challenges of these visits.

Since FLC Bahrain's on-ground arrival nine months ago, the detachment has been able to steadily increase planning, coordination and direction of contracts, cargo, mail and logistics services for more than 35 U.S. Navy vessels transiting through Oman.

"It was nice to test the proof of concept," said Lt. Cmdr. Billy Coffeen, Oman detachment officer-in-charge, NAVSUP FLC Bahrain. "Lessons learned are currently being used to further develop bilateral U.S.-Omani customs and diplomatic clearance processes, as NAVSUP strives to make Salalah a viable logistics spoke in the 5th Fleet area of operation."

In addition to the full spectrum of operational support for Oman, FLC Bahrain has greatly enhanced the quality of life for visiting Sailors by streamlining all Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) needs through the USO.

Feedback from the USO and Sailors has been positive.

In July alone the USO successfully booked 864 hotel rooms and 1,088 tours for three separate Omani port visits, with an estimated impact of $170,000 for hotel rooms, and $725,000 for tourism expenditures on food and entertainment to the local economy.

Prior to the arrival of the FLC detachment, all of these activities had been conducted by the Defense Attache Office (DAO) at the U.S. Embassy in Muscat. The detachment has allowed DAO personnel to focus on their primary mission of diplomatic representation to Oman's Ministry of Defense.

NAVSUP FLC Bahrain has more than 160 military and civilian personnel providing logistics support in the region. The command is one of eight FLCs worldwide in the NAVSUP Global Logistics Supply (GLS) enterprise.

NAVSUP GLS provides global logistics for a global Navy. The organization is made up of more than 6,500 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 www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

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