When the Navy welcomed its newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, USS John Finn (DDG 113), to the fleet at a commissioning ceremony July 15, Navy Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Pearl Harbor was in the background, assisting to make the event a success.

NAVSUP FLC Pearl Harbor liaised between the commissioning committee and local commands. During the pre-commissioning stage, Lt. Cmdr. Cindy Suarez, Fleet Logistics Support Division, hosted the committee for a site survey visit, conducted a tour of the piers, developed and implemented safety and security plans and presented the team with options for the reception venue to enable significant cost savings.

NAVSUP FLC Pearl Harbor Regional Mail Center personnel tracked packages containing commissioning ceremony material. Upon receipt, the team packed the critical commissioning ceremony items on pallets in preparation for delivery to the ship.

Upon arrival of the USS John Finn (DDG 113), NAVSUP FLC Pearl Harbor provided pier side support to include crane, man lift, and forklift services.

Logistics Specialist 1st Class Tri Nguyen, NAVSUP FLC Pearl Harbor Logistics Support Representative (LSR), tracked and delivered high priority requisitions, emergency material, coordinated vehicles, services, and food delivery for the ship.

"The only last minute concern was obtaining a red carpet runner for the ceremony," said Nguyen. "I worked with the ship's supply personnel to track one down locally."

Coordinating an event like a ship's commissioning ceremony where more than 2,000 people were in attendance required thorough attention to detail. Working hand-in-hand with the commissioning committee, NAVSUP FLC Pearl Harbor provided support to ensure every last detail was taken care of to bring the ship to life.

"I feel privileged to support these time-honored naval customs and traditions," Said Nguyen. "It is important that naval tradition is not forgotten!"

John Finn is the 63rd Arleigh Burke-class destroyer and was delivered to the Navy from shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries on the 75th anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 2016.

DDG 113 is named in honor of Chief Aviation Ordnanceman John Finn, whose heroism and bravery during the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Oahu's Pearl Harbor and other nearby military installations earned him the first Medal of Honor awarded during World War II.

During the first attack by Japanese airplanes on Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, Finn manned a .50-caliber machine gun in an exposed section under heavy enemy machine gun fire. Although wounded, it was only by specific orders he vacated his post to seek medical attention. Following first aid treatment, he returned to the squadron area and actively supervised the rearming of returning planes.

NAVSUP FLC Pearl Harbor is one of eight fleet logistics centers under NAVSUP GLS, which provides global logistics, business and support services to fleet, shore and industrial commands of the Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Air Force, Army, and allied forces. Services include contracting, regional transportation, fuel, material management, household goods movement support, postal and consolidated mail, warehousing, global logistics and husbanding, hazardous material management and integrated logistics support.

NAVSUP GLS provides global logistics for a global Navy. The command is made up of more than 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.



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