Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Bahrain supports ships in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) in numerous ways.

In order to get a glimpse of the effects that NAVSUP FLC Bahrain's support has on ships, Brian Sterner, executive director NAVSUP FLC Bahrain, visited aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) March 3 for an up close and personal tour while the ship was at sea conducting operations in the 5th Fleet AOR.

Sterner said his visit was integral in helping him to develop a greater understanding of how NAVSUP FLC Bahrain supports the ship's mission.

"It provided me the opportunity to see where our mission functions intersect with the ship's supply community in terms of supply chain, retrograde, contracting, HAZMAT, and general logistics support," he said.

A cooperative relationship occurs prior to and once a ship "chops" into the 5th Fleet AOR. The ship and support providers are in constant communication with each other in order to achieve the necessary goals of supplying the ship, removing hazardous materials and waste, and providing postal support.

Over the course of the ship's deployment NAVSUP FLC Bahrain has provided 1,186 pieces of cargo weighing more than 81,500 pounds. This material consists primarily of ship and aircraft parts, but can include pretty much anything you imagine needing while operating a small city with an airport at sea for extended periods of time. NAVSUP FLC Bahrain's mission is to ensure these needed parts and supplies get to the ship as fast as possible.

Upon his arrival via carrier on-board Delivery (COD) C-2 Greyhound aircraft, Sterner was greeted by Lt. Cmdr. Robin Taylor, USS Carl Vinson principal assistant for services, more commonly known as the services officer. Taylor began the tour with a view of "the mountain," a storage space in the hanger bay that serves as the staging area for items to be taken off the ship and also additional storage for items too big, bulky, or heavy for other spaces in the ship.

"It is a collaborative effort to stow and issue material that is in the mountain," said Taylor of this aspect of receiving and storing supplies. "It could not happen efficiently or effectively without the team approach."

Next visited were service support areas like laundry, ship store, and the barbershop. One might not think that these areas are imperative for ship function but they allow for Sailors to relax a little, re-group, and re-charge. Sterner saw firsthand these areas on the ship, all of which also contribute in their own way to the function and morale.

"Understanding the nuances and challenges associated with deployed ships operating in a forward area of responsibility clarifies why we provide support in the manner we do," said Sterner of the cooperative effort of both NAVSUP FLC Bahrain and each ship the command supports. The processes used by NAVSUP FLC Bahrain to provide for the ship can help to keep the ship running efficiently, keep morale high, and provide basic necessities for the Sailors.

NAVSUP FLC Bahrain support not only helps the operational side of what and why Carl Vinson is here but also to help boost and maintain morale.

"Even having repair parts stocked on the ship is a morale booster," said Taylor. "When a Sailor can complete a task without delays, small accomplishments can turn a long deployment into a series of wins."

NAVSUP FLC Bahrain also supports the ship by coordinating the delivery of postal mail and packages. During this deployment, NAVSUP FLC Bahrain delivered 36,429 pieces of mail weighing more than 613,600 pounds to Carl Vinson. That is a whole lot of communication from home in the form of letters, magazines, and care packages sent by family, friends, and significant others.

When it is time for the ship to pull in to port, NAVSUP FLC Bahrain is also there to help, providing contracting support for husbanding services. Typical services include utilities such as fresh water and sewage removal, equipment rental such as cranes, forklifts, and rental vehicles, and charter and hire services such as tugboats, pilots, and barges; everything a ship needs when they arrive at a port. NAVSUP FLC Bahrain has provided more than $3.6 million of contract support to Carl Vinson during this deployment.

NAVSUP FLC Bahrain is continually at the service of all the ships operating in the 5th Fleet AOR. As Carl Vinson completes her time in the Gulf, NAVSUP FLC Bahrain gears up for the arrival of the next carrier; Forward - Engaged - Ready.

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