Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Fleet Readiness and Logistics Vice Adm. Ricky Williamson recently announced the winners of the 2018 Admiral Stan Arthur Award, which included a team led by commander, U.S. 6th Fleet (C6F) Logistics Readiness Cell (LRC) as one of the two Logistics Teams of the Year.
The C6F LRC-led team included Naval Supply Systems (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Sigonella and the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Supply Department. Recognition as Logistics Team of the Year was also awarded to Truman’s Supply Department for their support to the Harry S. Truman (HST) carrier strike group’s (CSG) deployment in support of the Secretary of Defense’s concept of Dynamic Force Employment (DFE), where the team developed and executed reformative logistics concepts to overcome operational constraints.
The U.S. Naval Forces Europe (NAVEUR) Logistics Enterprise delivered critical logistics support to deployed warfighters in unconventional locations in support of the HST CSG DFE and exercise Trident Juncture from April 18 through Dec. 12, 2018. The mission was led by C6F LRC in partnership with a wide array of logisticians including NAVSUP FLC Sigonella and the Truman Supply Department.
“The Truman Supply Department and commander, U.S. 6th Fleet Logistics Readiness Cell all greatly exhibited the innovation, professionalism, and dedication to the Navy mission enabling them to support deployed warfighters in unconventional locations in support of DFE,” said Rear Adm. Michelle Skubic, commander, Naval Supply Systems Command and Chief of Supply Corps.
NAVSUP FLC Sigonella deployed an operational support element that expeditiously received, prepared, and transported high-priority material, cargo, hazardous/special material, and mail. Though weather and operational requirements demanded daily changes in replenishment schedules, the logistics enterprise kept the fleet stocked, repaired, and ready to fight.
The C6F LRC team, through direct engagement with host nation partners and frequent communication with stakeholders throughout the theater, was able to ensure that every ship, submarine, and squadron that deployed to the AOR during this time was fully supported.
The National Military Strategy’s DFE concept presented a major paradigm shift for Navy logisticians in that the traditional approach to supporting deployments was transitioned to one of rapidly and unpredictably employing naval forces with increased operational flexibility. During the four months operating under DFE, 15 U.S. ships and 12,000 U.S. personnel operated alongside 31 NATO and partner countries. By exercising this initiative, the U.S. and its allies are better prepared to respond to adversaries and threats from any direction across the European theater on air, land, or sea.
C6F, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.