• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

JLOTS Exercise Exhibits Joint Military Capabilities

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060707-22
7/7/2006

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Charles A. Ordoqui, Fleet Public Affairs Center Atlantic

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) -- More than 1,800 active and reserve military personnel came together to demonstrate each of their expertise in the Joint Logistics Over-The-Shore (JLOTS) 2006 exercise, June 11-20 at Fort Story, Va.

JLOTS ’06 is a multiservice cargo distribution exercise incorporating the Off-Shore Petroleum Discharge System (OPDS), an all-weather facility for bulk transfer of petroleum, oils, and lubricants directly from an offshore tanker to a beach termination unit.

“JLOTS is a unique mission, which is critical to successful operations ashore. The importance of the Navy and Army partnership can’t go understated,” said Capt. Douglas Keiler, commander of Naval Beach Group 2 and the JLOTS ’06 commander.

JLOTS trains military personnel to move forces and supplies without the benefit of a port.

“There are multiple ways to move cargo ashore without berthing a vessel at a pier,” Keiler said. “Depending on location, JLOTS presents a challenging mission, and our job is to devise the safest and most efficient way to accomplish this.”

Containers from Military Sealift Command USNS Red Cloud (T-AKR) 313, a large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off ship, were offloaded onto Navy barges using ship-based cranes. Navy tugs pushed the barges to shore where the containers were lifted by crane onto trucks for onward movement.

“Our goal is to train and ready an expeditionary joint force with this exercise in support of military deployments, sustainment and disaster relief operations,” said Army Col. Robert Oliveras, commander of Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC) 597th Transportation Group and joint task force commander for JLOTS.

More than 150 containers were moved ashore as part of the exercise. The U.S. military recently conducted similar operations to increase discharge capability in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and to deliver humanitarian supplies following the December tsunami in Indonesia.

“It really feels great to be apart of the JLOTS exercise,” said Operations Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Nadine Hill, from commander Naval Beach Group 2. “It’s really awesome to see how all of the services contribute to getting the job done, and it’s good to know that when we’re needed, we can do the job.”

Active, reserve and civilian personnel from SDDC provided overall command and control for the exercise as the joint task force commander.

“Planning and executing this exercise involves tremendous teamwork among a myriad of agencies,” said Oliveras.

JLOTS ‘06 demonstrated the Department of Defense’s ability to deploy, discharge and conduct reception, staging, and deployment of unit equipment and sustainment in a scenario that requires ships to offload while still offshore. The events were designed to improve military readiness, increase interoperability among participating agencies and test new concepts.

Other participating active and reserve units include Naval Beach Group 1, and the 11th Transportation Battalion headquartered at Fort Story.