Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Yokosuka played a key role supporting USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) during the carrier's historic port call in Vietnam, March 5.

A team of logistics professionals from FLC Yokosuka Site Singapore deployed to Da Nang to provide on-site support during the aircraft carrier's visit, which also included escort ships USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) and USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108). The Site Singapore team arrived in Vietnam ahead of the port visit to ensure all logistics and support services were in place for the milestone visit. It was the first time a carrier has visited Vietnam in 40 years.

"The historic nature of the Carl Vinson Strike Group's visit is not lost on any of us," said NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka Site Singapore Director Cmdr. Mark Axinto. "In fact, it was an honor to support this important visit by delivering critical supplies and services. It was great to see our team working collaboratively with our fleet customer to make this visit a success."

The Site Singapore logistics team consisted of contracting officers; contracting officer representatives from Commander, Pacific Fleet; and logistics support representatives. Working together, the team was able to coordinate the safe delivery of complex and myriad logistical services and provide sound solutions to logistics issues before they occurred, such as procuring bottled water for the escort ships, ensuring the potable water barge was fit for use, inspecting the water taxis for safety, and de-conflicting scheduling issues, any of which could have become major problems if not resolved immediately by the logistics team on the ground.

According to NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka Commanding Officer Capt. Jeffery Davis, the Singapore team remained synchronized and on point during the carrier's stop in Vietnam.

"The Vinson's historic visit symbolizes the commitment our nation and our Navy has to preserving strong partnerships in this region," said Davis. "The logistics coordination on display by Vinson, Pacific Fleet, 7th Fleet and NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Yokosuka personnel exemplifies the type of professionalism and teamwork that takes place across the Indo-Asia Pacific region to support fleet operations."

Logistics coordination in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region can be challenging due to the scope of operations that spans 52 million square miles and more than 150 ports. FLC Yokosuka has developed the Asia-Pacific Logistics Playbook (LPB) to support logistics planning, execution and risk assessments. During the Vinson's port call, the LPB provided essential information that helped in the preparation and execution of the carrier's visit.

An important feature of the playbook is to ensure all logisticians, regardless of their experience level operating in the region, are able to quickly access information needed to support their mission. It allows real-time information sharing to support accelerated learning goals. The LPB facilitates greater logistics integration essential to operations in the dynamic Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka is one of eight fleet logistics centers under NAVSUP. Headquartered just 26 miles south of Tokyo, it is the Western Pacific region's largest U.S. Navy logistics command, networking more than 14 sites with a mission to deliver supply and logistics solutions that enable deployed maritime warfighter readiness in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

NAVSUP provides U.S. naval forces with quality supplies and services. With headquarters in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and employing a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel, NAVSUP oversees logistics programs in the areas of supply operations, conventional ordnance, contracting, resale, fuel, transportation, and security assistance. In addition, NAVSUP is responsible for quality-of-life issues for naval forces including food service, postal services, Navy Exchanges, and movement of household goods.

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