Commander, Task Forces (CTF) assigned to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) were awarded the 2015 Admiral Stanley R. Arthur Award for Logistics Team of the Year and Military Logistician of the Year, Aug 9.

Vice Adm. Phil Cullom, deputy chief of naval operations for Fleet Readiness and Logistics, and retired Adm. Stanley Arthur via teleconference presented the 2015 Military Logistician of the Year to Lt. Nathan Peck, assigned to CTF 53, and 2015 Logistics Team of the Year to Chief Logistics Specialist John Larson, assigned to CTF 51, Sept. 7.

Peck, a native of Orlando, Florida, created a replenishment schedule that reduced Combat Logistics Force fuel consumption, saving more than $11 million. He also influenced a series of firsts in combined operations by working with embedded liaison officers from both France and the United Kingdom, culminating in the replenishment of a U.S. aircraft carrier by a French oiler -- a first for both the U.S. and France. He also executed operational tactical command of French oilers FS Meuse (A607), FS Marne (A630), and U.K. oiler RFA Fort Victoria (A387) that were instrumental in the support of a relentless scheme of maneuver for U.S. Navy combatant units and coalition partners.

"We're supporting all the combat operations in this area of responsibility (AOR)," said Peck. "If we mess up, a mission doesn't happen."

CTF 51 Logistics Operations Team delivered unprecedented service and support to multiple operational units, made up of more than 16,000 Marines and Sailors across the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

"It was a great honor to be a part of the team that achieved this," said Larson, a native of Omaha, Nebraska. "There are many moving pieces to getting supplies and parts from 'point A' to 'point B' in this AOR. Every stage has to be carefully coordinated with other branches of service and local entities to achieve sustainment goals."

The Logistics Operations Team also played a vital role in the increased aviation and surface readiness in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. The teams' forward leaning sustainment and readiness posture enabled swift execution of emergent U.S. 5th Fleet crisis response events, according to Larson, and vital support to emerging national command authority strategic and operational objectives in the region.

The Admiral Stan Arthur Award for Logistics Excellence was established in 1997 as an annual award to recognize both individuals and teams that exemplify logistics professionalism and excellence.

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