Deployed contracting officers (DKOs) from Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Yokosuka assisted the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) during the ship's port visit to the island nation of Fiji, May 28 to June 20, as part of Pacific Partnership 2015.

Prior to Mercy pulling into Fijian coastal waters, the DKOs had already hit the ground running, making sure the necessary ship support contractors and husbanding service providers were performing in accordance with contract terms and conditions.

According to Bengu Isguder, a U.S. Navy civilian DKO and member of NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka's Far East Contracting Department, personnel were also "boots on the ground" in Fiji to satisfy emerging requirements, such as making sure invoices are paid.

"This job requires a DKO to be creative and react fast to satisfy the emerging requirements to support the customer for successful mission completion in a short period of time," she said. "It gets challenging, considering the limited amount of funds provided by the customer and the limited amount of time I have to complete the needed contract actions to satisfy the customer's requirements for mission success."

The work by the contracting team helped lead the Mercy's crew to accomplish their mission of working alongside Fijian military, government and health professionals; treating thousands of patients; conducting public health engagements; and constructing new school facilities.

"Our DKOs and entire contracting team work tirelessly in support of our customers," said Sherry Bonaiuto, deputy director, NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka Far East Contracting Department. "It is especially gratifying to know that their hard work directly results in the success of such missions like Pacific Partnership, which brings that humanitarian assistance across this theater to the people who need it the most. I am extremely proud of our team."

NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka, one of eight fleet logistics centers under NAVSUP Global Logistics Support, is the western Pacific region's largest U.S. Navy logistics command, headquartered just 26 miles due south of Tokyo. The enterprise networks more than 20 sites with a mission to serve the Asia-Pacific region's forward deployed maritime warfighter with around-the-clock logistics support.

Pacific Partnership is the largest humanitarian and disaster response mission in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region and is a joint effort sponsored by the U.S. Pacific Fleet. The mission brings together U.S. military personnel, foreign militaries, host and partner nations, non-governmental organizations, and international agencies, to build stronger relationships and develop disaster response capabilities throughout the region.

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

For more news from Pacific Partnership 2015, visit www.navy.mil/