Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center (NAVSUP FLC) Yokosuka announced the launch of the Logistics Playbook July 20 to provide an integrated logistics resource for the fleet in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Logistics Playbook was created for logisticians and users of logistics data who need relevant and current information to enable them to make better informed decisions.

"We wanted a tool for planners and decision-makers who rely on logistics support but often lack sufficient context to exploit opportunities and address risks," said NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka Commanding Officer Capt. Jeffery Davis.

The Asia-Pacific region is the largest navy theater of operations and spans thousands of square miles.

"Logistics operations in this theater can be extremely challenging due to the tyranny of distance," said Davis.

The Logistics Playbook provides a single-stop shop to find an integrated logistics picture that captures capabilities and risks associated with logistics execution.

"Logistics execution often hangs on the ability of logisticians to make decisions based on knowledge of available resources and key enablers," said Davis. "A fundamental challenge is identifying how to ensure all logisticians, regardless of their experience operating in the area of responsibility (AOR), are able to quickly access information needed to support mission execution."

Davis said the goal is also to ensure logistics outcomes do not rest solely on the availability of individual personalities seasoned in AOR logistics.

"Creating a flexible tool to accelerate learning and decision-making related to operations in the Asia-Pacific region enables greater logistics responsiveness, agility, and resiliency," said Davis.

The NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka team was able to leverage key information accumulated across its 14 sites located in eight nations to deliver information useful for logistics operations and planning.

The Logistics Playbook comprises several sections containing details of classes of supply support available by geographic location and a list of customers and stakeholders in the Asia-Pacific region that use and deliver logistics products and services.

There is a map data and port-specific subsection that includes a Google Earth map interface. Though it requires users to have Google Maps loaded, the tool allows users to view port specific information in a more user-friendly format.

Users can also access a port data Wiki page that lists all ports visited within the 7th Fleet AOR. The Wiki is actively updated with new information as it becomes available so that the information stays relevant and is useful for the planning and execution of operations.

The Logistics Playbook was initially created on a Navy ONE-Net SharePoint to allow for ease of data collection across the U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) AOR. However, due to ONE-Net access constraints, the NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka team researched alternative sites to host the Logistics Playbook.

The team ultimately decided to migrate from ONE-Net to an Intellipedia Wiki site.

Intellipedia is an online system for collaborative data sharing used by the United States intelligence community.

As with a traditional Wiki page, users can create new articles or make edits to existing content after registering and acquiring an account with Intelink; the Wiki is a collaborative web site that collects and organizes content, created and revised by its users.

Wikis are a way to grow a knowledge base around a particular content area, in this case logistics within the PACOM AOR.

Lt. James Russell, current operations officer for NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka, said the team compiled data for the Logistics Playbook over the course of five months through a working group that included each FLC Yokosuka site using video teleconference.

"Representatives from each of our outlying sites and internal departments submitted data and updates via our One-Net SharePoint site, which was ultimately housed within the Logistics Playbook site on Intelink," said Russell.

"It's now being implemented on the Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet Logistics Common Operating Picture (LOGCOP) on a secure network. Seeing the Playbook develop from our teamwork into such an easy-to-use and versatile tool has been an absolute pleasure over past few months," said Russell.

Davis reiterated the importance of coordinating with key fleet stakeholders to ensure Logistics Playbook functionality was incorporated into LOGCOP.

"Although there are other historical repositories that house some of this same type of information, we are placing available information into a context that offers a quicker, more agile tool for an integrated logistics picture. It can now be used more extensively by joint planners across the Asia-Pacific region," said Davis.

Within the support planning and execution section are additional subsections for exercises and planning purposes.

There are ground rules and processes defined in the tool for determining when NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka will deploy logistics support representatives and contracting officers to a particular area.

An overview of the organization's Reserve program for Reserve member planning is also available, as is an operational support officer planning process.

There is a simple overview of the major exercises within 7th Fleet and a general information area that contains lessons learned from previous logistics operations.

Davis said the Logistics Playbook offers logisticians and users of logistics information the tools they need to reduce logistics information asymmetry and improve execution.

Lt. Andrew Hughes, a Combat Logistics Force transportation officer with Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific in Singapore, echoed Davis.

"The Logistics Playbook is a great initiative from NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka. Collectively, logisticians, including myself, use the tool quite often to see available services at each port. When sending material to ships, especially when they are located at austere locations, it's great to have this tool at our fingertips to see what we can and cannot send," said Hughes.

A fundamental role of logisticians is to develop solutions that deliver required support to operations. The Logistics Playbook provides that continuity.

As the Logistics Playbook continues to be transitioned into LOGCOP, it will have a broader impact on Asia-Pacific logistics operations.

For more information on the Logistics Playbook, visit https://intellipedia.intelink.gov/wiki/7th_Fleet_Logistics_Playbook

NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka is one of eight fleet logistics centers under NAVSUP Global Logistics Support (GLS). 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 GLS provides global logistics for a global Navy. The organization is made up of approximately 6,300 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 more NAVSUP Global Logistics Support, visit http://www.navsup.navy.mil/navsup/ourteam/navsupgls/news/ or http://www.facebook.com/navsupgls/.

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 information, visit http://www.navy.mil, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy.

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