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Sigonella FISC Streamlines Camp Lemonier's Logistical Operations

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS081203-14
Release Date: 12/3/2008 6:08:00 AM

From Commander, Navy Region Europe Public Affairs

SIGONELLA, Italy (NNS) -- Commander Navy Region Europe (CNRE) and Fleet and Industrial Supply Center (FISC) Sigonella personnel led a Lean Six Sigma (L6S) continuous process improvement (CPI) value stream analysis (VSA) event Oct. 22-24 at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti (CLDJ), to streamline logistical operations in the Horn of Africa (HOA).

Under the policy guidance of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and Commander, Naval Forces Africa, a team of 24 personnel developed a strategy for improvement, leveraging lean concepts and tools designed to restructure the logistical lifeline for HOA-based forces.

"This approach of bringing together key logistics stakeholders facilitated a successful review of 'as is' distribution and logistics processes," said Capt. Brian Sheppard, the logistics lead for AFRICOM.

One of the first goals for the L6S team was the development of an improvement strategy for short and long-term objectives at CLDJ that highlight six key areas: contracting acquisition and requisition process, internal and external theater DoD air and surface transportation routes, commercial air shipment processes, and forward stock positioning, delivery and receipt to warfighters in the theater.

"This review helped target key areas for improvement, which led to our consensus on short and long-term goals and objectives that will result in necessary change and excellent overall improvements," said FISC Sigonella Commander Capt. John Camuso.

According to Camuso, these six strategies focus on the identification of requirements; acquisition services; transportation; reverse supply chain management and fuels processes; and fulfillment of requirements.

Since transitioning under the scope of AFRICOM and CNRE on Oct. 1 of this year, Camp Lemonier's future as an enduring base has continued to evolve and solidify, driving the need for a comprehensive review of the logistical infrastructure that supports the camp's evolving mission requirements.

Though a L6S stream analysis normally takes four to five days, Camuso said this team was able to achieve it in two because of hard work and prudent planning.

"The team did a great job with prior planning and preparation to ensure all necessary components of the VSA were meet in just two days," said Camuso. "Because of this, the entire mission was a resounding success."

Lean Six Sigma is an organizational performance improvement methodology. It is a fusion of Six Sigma, which focuses on identifying and eliminating variation in a process and Lean, with its focus on waste reduction. L6S represents the most highly evolved, process-focused approach for business improvement and was formally adopted by the Department of Defense in 2006.

For more news from Commander, Navy Region Europe, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnre/.