Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella (NAVSUP FLCSI) and Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Europe, Africa, and Central Command (NAVFAC EURAFCENT) leaders hosted Rear Adm. Peter Stamatopoulos and Kurt Wendelken, NAVSUP commander and vice commander, for a tour of the installation's Defense Fuel Support Point (DFSP) Sept. 19-20, 2022 at Naval Station (NAVSTA) Rota, Spain.
At the DFSP, NAVSUP FLCSI Site Rota's Fuels Division receives, stores, issues, and accounts for bulk petroleum, oil and lubricants. The command's sailors and chemists provide quality surveillance to ensure that all of the command's products meet the standards to be utilized by all ship and aircraft in the region.
The DFSP at NAVSTA Rota is the U.S. Navy's largest fuels management facility in U.S. European Command.
"Some key messaging we wanted to convey to the commander and Mr. Wendelken during their visit was how we and our mission partners at NAVSTA Rota are growing capacity, capability and readiness during a critical time when the U.S. Navy is adding more ships to the Forward Deployed Naval Ship force here," said Cmdr. Bert Phillips, NAVSUP FLC Sigonella Site Rota director. "The strategic goal for us with these three lines of effort is to make NAVSTA Rota the force generation center of gravity for U.S. and NATO warfighters operating across USNAVEUR-AF."
One of the ways Phillips' team and its mission partners are growing capacity and capability at NAVSTA Rota is with a military construction (MILCON) project whose aim is to modernize and renovate the installation's aging fuels tanks, pipeline and equipment. Scheduled for groundbreaking in fiscal 2024, the site of the MILCON project was one of the NAVSUP leaders' tour stops.
"The MILCON project at NAVSTA Rota is the largest of its kind to date in terms of dollar value and scope," said Lt. Lincoln Barber, NAVSUP FLCSI's regional fuels director. "By rebuilding and modernizing the tanks, we are setting the theater by creating fuels management efficiencies which will, in turn, provide a strategic advantage for enhancing U.S. and Ally warfighter readiness for decades to come."
Beyond reinforcing the structural integrity of installation's fuels tanks and equipment, the completion of the MILCON project will enable NAVSUP FLCSI Site Rota's fuels division to improve maintenance processes that will prolong the lifespan of the facility.
"Once the MILCON is completed, my team can begin using advanced digital technology to identify areas of pipeline in need of maintenance and routine cleaning," said Lt. William Coffey, NAVSUP FLCSI Site Rota fuels officer. "Conducting routine maintenance more simply and with greater efficiency will lead to increased capability to directly support our customers, that is, U.S. and Allied warships, combat logistic force ships and aircraft operating throughout the region."
Some of the customers of NAVSTA Rota's DFSP include USS Ross (DDG-71), USS Paul Ignatius (DDG-117), USS Roosevelt (DDG-80) and USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) and Helicopter Maritime Strike (HSM) 79.
A recurring theme as the NAVSUP leaders toured the site of the MILCON project and other areas of the DFSP was how NAVSUP FLCSI and its mission partners are taking measure to ensure safe fuels operations at NAVSTA Rota.
"In my brief to the Commander, it was important to convey how NAVSUP FLCSI is closely working with our mission partners to mitigate risks associated with the handling of such large quantities of fuel at the DFSP," Coffey said. "For the MILCON and in all aspects of fuels operations, our mission partners are joining us in the common goal of making our DFSP the safest and most technologically advanced of its kind in Europe."
Stamatouplos' visit to NAVSTA Rota was one of multitude engagements he and Wendelken conducted across USNAVEUR in October during which they met with the various U.S. Navy and NATO leaders and members Supply Corps (SC) community showcasing NAVSUP's and the SC's critical role in supporting U.S. Navy readiness and strategic goals in the region.
After the DFSP tour, Stamatopolous and Wendelken met with leaders of NAVSUP FLCSI's other mission partners at NAVSTA Rota: Command Task Force (CTF)-65, CTF 68, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 79 and Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center to discuss ship repair facilities and preparations to receive and support two more ships to NAVSTA Rota and how their respective organizations can improve as a team to sustain our warfighters and partners.
"The commander's meeting with these leaders is a direct reflection of the partnerships that we have built and our direct support to the fleet," Phillips said. "We are aligned with operators in setting the theatre and making tough resourcing decisions to best support the warfighter."
As NAVSUP commander, Stamatopolous is responsible for an organization and community of more than 25,000 military and civilian personnel who provide responsive logistical support to U.S. and allied naval forces worldwide, through a global network with a presence in more than 17 countries and 21 states, districts, and territories. As Chief of Supply Corps, he is responsible for community management of more than 3,500 active and Reserve Supply Corps officers and more than 23,000 active and reserve enlisted personnel.
Site Rota is one of NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella's five logistics sites positioned across U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Africa. Site Rota provides supply chain management, bulk and aviation fueling capability, material handling equipment, contracting, hazardous material management, household goods and vehicle processing and postal operations to fleet, installation and other service components throughout the area of operations.
NAVFAC EURAFCENT plans, builds, leases and sustains facilities and provides essential base operating services and capabilities in the EURAFCENT's command theaters to enable U.S. and partner nation forces to meet national defense objectives.
NAVSUP FLCSI is one of eight FLCs under Commander, NAVSUP. Headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, NAVSUP employs a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 25,000 military and civilian personnel. NAVSUP and the Navy Supply Corps conduct and enable supply chain, acquisition, operational logistics and Sailor & family care activities with our mission partners to generate readiness and sustain naval forces worldwide to prevent and decisively win wars. NAVSUP FLCSI operates across 14 enduring and forward operating sites; forward contingency and cooperative security locations in 13 countries in Europe and Africa.