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Global Logistics Organization Enables Maritime Strategy, Gets new Leader

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090615-22
Release Date: 6/15/2009 4:09:00 PM

From Commander, Fleet & Inudstrial Supply Centers Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- A Navy two-star rear admiral (select) assumed command of Commander, Fleet and Industrial Supply Centers (COMFISCS) at a ceremony aboard USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum in downtown San Diego June 12.

Hundreds of employees and guests witnessed the traditional salute as Supply Corps Rear Admiral Mark F. Heinrich relieved Supply Corps Rear Admiral William A. Brown.

Heinrich, who has been selected for promotion to the rank of rear admiral (upper half), will begin wearing his second star Oct. 1. Heinrich will be the first two-star admiral to command the Navy's global logistics organization.

"The CNO has stated that 'the maritime strategy requires a global Navy,' and a global Navy requires global logistics," said the guest speaker, Rear Admiral Michael J. Lyden, commander, Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) and 45th Chief of Supply Corps.

"Global logistics to our shore infrastructure, maintenance partners and numbered fleets is what the worldwide FISC (Fleet and Industrial Supply Centers) team brings to the fight.

"Under Rear Admiral Brown's command, the FISCs were strategically aligned to support the numbered fleets and function as primary advocates and integrators of NAVSUP's logistics capabilities. He actively led COMFISCS through a time of incredible change and opportunity - the arrival of the first littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1). His COMFISCS team was there to introduce a brand new logistics concept of operations and pave the way for distance support, which enabled the unprecedented reduction in supply personnel on LCS 1.

"Rear Admiral Heinrich's joint experience and broad Navy experience in the surface and aviation communities make him an ideal successor at COMFISCS to keep the momentum going strong and forward," Lyden said.

Heinrich, a southern California native, addressed the many family members, friends, employees and honored guests gathered for the change of command.

"I've spent the last four years working to deliver effective sustainment to the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps, while learning to overcome the challenges of supporting joint forces around the world, particularly throughout the Middle East in the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility. I've spent the last four days learning the challenges of the FISCs as they transform the delivery of logistics support to the Navy's operational forces," he said.

To his team of officers, enlisted, civilian employees and contractor personnel, Heinrich said, "Today the FISCs are poised to support minimally-manned littoral combat ships, from a distance, with FISC logistics support teams that perform many of the supply functions traditionally accomplished by a ship's crew. This is one of the most important transformational efforts that we'll accomplish during the coming year, which will require us to maneuver our command and increase our speed while using the right combination of rudder and course changes to ensure we arrive at the right station at the right time, prepared to further transform Navy logistics processes."

Heinrich holds a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from the Naval Academy and master's degrees in business administration and petroleum management from the University of Kansas. He is also a graduate of the Kellogg Graduate School of Management Advanced Executive Program.

The admiral's personal awards include two Defense Superior Service Medals, two Legions of Merit, a Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and five Meritorious Service Medals, among various other awards. He is a qualified surface warfare supply corps officer, naval aviation supply officer and is a Department of the Navy acquisition professional.

Brown is being assigned as director of Logistics and Security Assistance (J4), U.S. European Command in Vaihingen, Germany.

COMFISCS provides an array of integrated global logistics and contracting services to Navy and Joint operational units across all warfare enterprises.

COMFISCS is responsible for facilitating best business practices and efficiencies across the seven FISCs located in San Diego, Calif.; Norfolk, Va.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Yokosuka, Japan; Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Bremerton (Puget Sound), Wash.; and Sigonella, Italy; and for optimizing the performance of base supply functions and standardizing levels of service across 11 regions and 77 Navy installations.

COMFISCS consists of more than 7,500 military and civilian logistics professionals, operating as a single, cohesive team to provide global logistics services from nearly 135 locations worldwide.

For more news from Commander, Fleet and Industrial Supply Centers, visit www.navy.mil/local/comfisc/.