Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support’s (NAVSUP WSS) Vice Commander Lynn Kohl spoke on a materiel readiness panel during the DoD Maintenance Symposium in Spokane, Washington, Dec. 10.

The annual event gathers military, government and industry leadership to discuss innovative initiatives and pressing issues facing the maintenance and sustainment communities.

“NAVSUP WSS has been doing a lot more than just thinking about changing; we’re actually changing,” Kohl said. “We are focused on readiness, and more particularly on sustainment. We now have a more proactive approach to the acquisition process to make sure we’re able to perform a sustainment role.”

Kohl discussed the command’s involvement in Naval Performance-to-Plan (P2P), executing the Secretary of Defense’s requirement for 80 percent Mission Capable (MC) F/A-18 aircraft by the end of fiscal 2019 and other recent accomplishments.

P2P is a deliberate approach to readiness recovery for naval aviation, surface, shipyards and undersea warfare. NAVSUP WSS is among the stakeholders from the Naval Aviation Enterprise who are working diligently toward recovering readiness levels and increasing lethality.

Kohl also outlined NAVSUP WSS’s contributions toward achieving 80 percent MC F/A-18s established by the secretary of Defense, which included concerted efforts of myriad teams, process improvement initiatives, pilot programs and maintaining solid contractual relationships.

Achieving this goal was a major milestone for NAVSUP WSS and the aviation community. Additional initiatives are now underway to leverage these successes to other aircraft platforms.

Later, Kohl informed the audience of one of the command’s key initiatives, Strategic Supplier Management (SSM) and the impacts the program has had on sustainment and overall readiness.

“We have found that being more transparent about our requirements and talking openly and honestly with our supply chain providers has been more impactful than previous processes,” Kohl said. “Letting industry partners know how their actions effect readiness is essential to sustainment in the long term.”

Through executive-level, routine engagements, the SSM program is a way for NAVSUP WSS to cultivate relationships with some of the top aerospace and defense companies to address supply issues. To date, SSM practices have improved performance, addressed gaps in processes and enhanced relationships with industry partners.

Following the panel’s introductory remarks, the floor was open for questions and answers, giving the audience the opportunity to gain more insight on new sustainment technologies, collaborating across services and System Commands, Performance Based Logistics contracts and life cycle management and sustainment planning. 

Subject matter experts from NAVSUP WSS also participated in the symposium and operated a booth highlighting NAVSUP WSS’s role as the Navy’s Program Support Inventory Control Point (PSICP), engaging participants in the services and support they provide to the warfighter daily.

NAVSUP WSS is one of 11 commands under NAVSUP, headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. NAVSUP employs a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel, who provide supplies, services, and quality-of-life support to the Navy and joint warfighter. Learn more at www.navsup.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/navsup and https://twitter.com/navsupsyscom.

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