Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Jacksonville supports historic visit of Chinese Warships to Naval Station (NAVSTA) Mayport, Florida.

Three People's Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) vessels arrived pierside at NAVSTA Mayport, Nov. 3. The crews of the guided-missile destroyer Jinan, frigate Yiyang and fleet oiler Qiandao Hu arrived to a reception, including a traditional dragon dance performed by the Orlando Chinese Professionals Association. Rear Adm. Mary Jackson, commander, Navy Region Southeast and Senior Captain Wang Jianxun, PLA-N Task Group 152's commander, gave speeches emphasizing the significance of goodwill visits.

Behind the scenes, key stakeholders had been working for months planning logistical support. FLC Jacksonville's Fleet Support and Operations team, including the Logistics Support Center, worked side-by-side with host ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) and service providers on board NAVSTA Mayport. Port Operations, Navy Facilities Command, and husbanding service provider Norton Lilly were key in preparing the support required.

Lt. Cmdr. Jared Sweetser, NAVSUP FLC Jacksonville's operations officer and Senior Chief Logistics Specialist Larry McIntosh, NAVSUP FLC Jacksonville's deputy logistics support officer, attended the arrival ceremony and embarked flagship Jinan for a port visit arrival brief.

"It was a great experience to sit down with our counterparts from PLA-N. Though bulkhead signs are a bit different, I quickly realized how much I had in common with PLA-N Sailors simply by walking passageways that crossed the same oceans I have crossed," reported McIntosh. "We didn't speak the same language, but there was a common understanding of the complexities of a foreign port visit."

NAVSUP FLC Jacksonville Logistics Support Representatives (LSRs) bridged logistics gaps by linking husbanding efforts with various service providers for provisions, vehicles, material couriers and other services. LSRs also supported NAVSTA Mayport by acting as escorts for vendors servicing the Task Group and working with the husbanding agent in arranging transportation of an ill PLA-N sailor to the installation medical clinic for a non-life threatening ailment. "We look forward to every opportunity to provide support to ships and sailors, no matter how small the task," said McIntosh.

The three Chinese ships will be at NAVSTA Mayport until Nov. 7.

NAVSUP FLC Jacksonville delivers world-class, innovative and unified operational logistics products and services for the Southeast Region and the U.S. Navy's 4th Fleet stakeholders, ensuring mission integrity and operational readiness for the warfighter.

NAVSUP FLC Jacksonville, one of eight fleet logistics centers under NAVSUP Global Logistics Support (GLS), provides operational logistics, and 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 is comprised 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 news and information about NAVSUP FLC Jacksonville, visit http://www.navsup.navy.mil/navsup/ourteam/navsupgls/navsupflcj or find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/navsupflcj

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