Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast partnered with Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Energy, Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP), the Army Corps of Engineers, Air Force Civil Engineering Command and Fleet Logistics Center to extend the life span of Navy fuel tanks.

After months of intense research, discussion and collaboration, the team identified 25 areas for improvement to speed up the process to save money. Optimization efforts will reduce fuel tank repair time from two years to one year, which will result in annual cost savings of $15 million.

“On average, we will now be able to shave a year and a half off the current repair time. The time savings will significantly increase fleet lethality and the financial savings will allow investment into other projects, beyond fuel tanks, that support the fleet,” said NAVFAC Southeast Regional Petroleum Engineer Mark Jackson who led the continuous process improvement initiative.

This was a critical effort since working fuel tanks are essential in enabling our military to accomplish their mission.

“You’ve got to have fuel, and you’ve got to have ammo,” said Chief of DLA - Energy Navy Sustainment, Restoration, and Maintenance Branch Dave “Stick” Douglas.

This new optimization plan is a proactive approach that predicts maintenance plans based on the historical tank reports.These repairs can include internal coating, welding, patching, and external repairs. If any additional repairs arise during a project, NAVFAC Southeast will modify the contract as needed.

The success of this project would not have been possible without a common goal and the great working relationships these organizations share.

“There is tremendous synergy between NAVFAC and our DLA-Energy and NAVSUP partners as we continue to focus on ensuring the Navy’s critical fuel tanks are repaired and maintained, minimizing down time in support of the fleet,” said NAVFAC Southeast Commanding Officer Capt. Mike Monreal.

The team will keep an eye on technology and continuously look for new methods to continue to save money and maximize fleet lethality.

For more information about NAVFAC, please visit our website at www.navfac.navy.mil.

Get more information about the Navy from U.S. Navy Facebook or Twitter.

For more news from Naval Facilities Engineering Command, visit www.navy.mil/.