Navy Supply Corps officers and other logistics support representatives from Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistic Center Yokosuka sponsored the 2016 Operational Logistics (OPLOG) Symposium and training event at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, April 21.

The event gave Forward Deployed Naval Forces supply teams a forum to discuss high-level operational logistics that will best support ships and crews in the Navy's largest area of responsibility.

Afterward, participants visited vendor exhibition booths to see the latest products and services available to Navy customers, from cleaning products to ship's store and food items.

"This was a good opportunity for all logisticians on the waterfront to come and interact with senior officer logisticians, key logistics partners like DLA and Naval Facilities Engineering Command and commercial vendors such as FedEx, DHL, Red Bull and Pepsi to discuss current logistical issues," said Lt. Keith Anderson, NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka logistics support officer. "I think this is necessary every year because the logistics providers need to sync up with the customer's demands."

The event allowed supply teams to better identify customer requirements and refine their processes to better provide effective and efficient service to their customers, Anderson added.

"We appreciate you and your business," said Jack Kleckner, Ecolab vice president, international government sales and one of many vendors at the symposium. "We'll take care of you wherever you are over the horizon."

Ecolab specializes in and is a worldwide supplier of cleaning and sanitation chemicals with many Navy ships using their laundry products to take advantage of the companies high concentrate detergents and automatic dispensers, which lesson the waste footprint and saves money, said Kleckner.

Understanding what vendors had to offer ships and crews was one aspect of the symposium, and another was a keynote address by U.S. Marine Col. Christopher Michelsen, U.S. Forces Japan joint logistics director. He discussed concepts of logistics support in contingency operations and gave examples of joint logistics in action across the Asia Pacific AOR.

Supporting the warfighter is a team effort that spans many different agencies and service branches, said Michelsen.

Michelson also stressed logistics was part science and part art, and to be a successful logistics scientist you must be aggressive and know what you need.

"This event gives us an opportunity to continually educate our young logistics scientists," said Michelson. "They now know they can reach out to senior logistics mentors in the enterprise."

At the end of the day, operators, suppliers, vendors and customers likely gained a better understanding of operational logistics requirements and capabilities in order to best serve the forward deployed warfighter now and in the future.

NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka, one of eight fleet logistics centers under NAVSUP Global Logistics Support, is the Western Pacific region's largest Navy logistics command. Headquartered 26 miles due south of Tokyo, the enterprise networks more than 20 sites and fuel terminals from Misawa, Japan, to Sydney, Australia; Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean to Guam with a mission to serve the Asia Pacific Region's forward deployed maritime Warfighter with 24/7 operational logistics support -- integrating an extensive service provider network to deliver fuel, material, mail and supply chain services across the Navy's largest geographical AOR.

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