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Joint Logistics Exercise In Guantanamo Bay Enhances Readiness

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090609-04
Release Date: 6/9/2009 3:34:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kimberly Williams, Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (NNS) -- Joint Task Force (JTF) Guantanamo Bay (GTMO), in conjunction with Naval Station (NAVSTA) GTMO, is hosting the Joint Logistics Over-The-Shore (JLOTS) exercise from mid-May to July 15.

The exercise, sponsored by the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) and administered annually by U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), allows NAVSTA GTMO to enhance its ability to respond in the event of a natural disaster by providing the command additional tools and methods for the logistical planning of relief operations.

The JCS has allocated approximately $5 million for officials to conduct this year's exercise in GTMO. The purpose of JLOTS is to provide operational assets located in restricted regions and in ports without draft-capable, fixed facilities the capability to maneuver and respond expediently.

"Those who are able to see us in action will see the SS Cornhusker State (T-ACS 6) being discharged in-stream [ship at anchor] while she sits at one of the anchorage areas of the bay," said Navy Capt. Paul Webb, commander of JLOTS and Amphibious Construction Battalion 2 (PHIBCB 2) of Little Creek, Va.

"Another advantage of the capabilities that we will demonstrate is the ability to provide sustainment procedures without tying up existing capabilities or interfering with existing operations that are here year-round."

A joint service team of more than 20 commands is using state-of-the-art landing craft and civil engineering support equipment, including the Navy's improved Navy lighterage system (INLS), elevated causeway system modular (ELCAS [M]), landing craft Mechanized (LCM) 8, and maritime pre-positioning force utility boat; and the Army's small tug and landing craft utility 2000s, in the exercise.

Approximately 675 Seabees, Sailors and Soldiers are lending their talents to transport, offload, build, operate and maintain unique equipment to rapidly discharge storage containers across multiple sites in GTMO.

"This JLOTS proof of concept will allow disaster response officials numerous, scalable approaches to logistics sustainment on the Leeward side of the base," said Webb. "During [the] timeframe of the exercise, we have brought with us a subset of DoD's JLOTS capabilities, INLS and DoD's only expeditionary pier (ELCAS [M])," said Webb.

Webb explained that his team conducted a site survey October 2008 to assess how the naval Beach group and Army sustainment brigade's capabilities could assist with logistics sustainment in GTMO. The Seabees from PHIBCB 2, led by Chief Equipment Operator (SCW) Steve Slusser, conducted additional site preparation work in March.

"Today, we have over 450 personnel aboard Leeward. We have been on board for approximately two weeks, and the support from every J code on the JTF staff and every department on the naval station has been incredible," said Webb.

"The red carpet welcome and daily positive interface has been key to multiple, early successes. Our joint team is excited to be here in order to show folks the 'art of the possible' in support of an important SOUTHCOM mission."

For more news from Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, visit www.navy.mil/local/guantanamo.