Right on the heels of the previous week's Hurricane Harvey, Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Norfolk provided logistics support to ships that deployed Sept. 8 to support relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.

According to NAVSUP FLC Norfolk Logistics Support Officer Lt. Tam Colbert, the support included the orders, deliveries, and loading of food, cargo and medical supplies for the ships deploying, as well as pack-up kits (PUKs) for embarked helicopter squadrons.

Supporting the logistics needs of Norfolk-based ships is old hat for Colbert and her team of logistics support representatives (LSRs) at the NAVSUP FLC Norfolk Logistics Support Center (LSC). However, they usually have days or sometimes even weeks to make sure a ship's requirements are met. When emergent requirements like disaster relief arise, the timeline is shortened considerably.

"We only have hours to process and coordinate these requirements vice days under normal circumstances," explained Colbert. "Also, the requirements and the units involved change minute by minute. We have to be able to track the changes and adapt and adjust accordingly."

Colbert and her team arranged for delivery of provisions and supplies to the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), the dock landing ship USS New York (LPD 21), the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), and the hospital ship USNS Comfort, although the floating hospital ended up not deploying. The LSC processed and delivered a total of 959 pallets of provisions valued at $2.8 million. They also coordinated the delivery of 150 pallets of cargo.

Regional Supply Office Norfolk and Aviation Supply Depot Norfolk personnel were responsible for shipping truckloads of equipment and supplies, including 75 pallets of material, mini-connex boxes, and seven main and tail rotor assemblies for embarked H-60 helicopters.

The LSC team also loaded the fast combat support ship USNS Supply (T-AOE 6) with provisions and supplies so they could replenish ships at sea, including at least five ships that were diverted from other operations to provide additional post-Irma relief.

Since Irma threatened the entire state of Florida, Naval Station Mayport-based ships sortied from their Jacksonville, Florida location and sheltered at Naval Station Norfolk. "We are also supporting those five ships while they are in Norfolk," said Colbert. "We also had to prepare Norfolk-based ships that were in port in case Irma turned toward Virginia, which would require all ships in Norfolk to sortie for safe haven out of the path of the storm," she added.

Regardless of the need or situation, the NAVSUP FLC Norfolk LSC is always ready to adapt and adjust their support to meet the needs of their customers.

For more NAVSUP GLS news visit http://www.navsup.navy.mil/navsup/ourteam/navsupgls/news.

A component of the Naval Supply Systems Command headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, NAVSUP GLS is part of a worldwide logistics network of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel providing combat capability through logistics.

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

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