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FISC Jacksonville is Navy's Main Supply Point for Haiti Relief Effort

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100205-03
Release Date: 2/5/2010 6:02:00 AM

By Daphne Cassani, Fleet and Industrial Supply Centers Jacksonville Public Affairs

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., (NNS) -- Operation Unified Response has quickly become Fleet and Industrial Supply Center (FISC) Jacksonville's central focus since being designated Commander Task Force 43's advanced logistics support site following the earthquake that struck Haiti Jan 12.

Haiti lies inside the command's area of responsibility, and FISC Jacksonville is the supporting FISC responsible for all logistics relating to the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations there.

"Unlike a hurricane, an earthquake provides no warning; yet it still requires immediate response," said FISC Jacksonville Commanding Officer Capt. Joyce Robinson. "Thanks to the FISCJ leadership and our links throughout the [Naval Supply Systems Command] enterprise and beyond, FISC Jacksonville was ready to support relief efforts through full mobilization of command assets and capabilities."

In his keynote address to members of the San Diego Military Advisory Council Jan. 20, Rear Adm. Mark Heinrich, commander, Fleet and Industrial Supply Centers (COMFISCS) spoke of Robinson's involvement in Operation Unified Response.

"Capt. Joyce Robinson is in lockstep with Rear Adm. Vic Guillory in the 4th Fleet, working to sustain the growing force off the coast of Haiti that is providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief support to that country," he said.

FISC Jacksonville Detachment Guantanamo Bay (GTMO) plays an extensive and critical role in the relief mission; it's the pivot point for all supplies flowing from Jacksonville to Haiti.

"When the earthquake hit the afternoon of Jan. 12 site director Cmdr. Jeff Narwold immediately went to work assessing on-base levels of provisions and food, replenishment cycles, manning, shift hours and accommodations," said Robinson. "[Two day later], we had a good preliminary plan that, two-weeks later, has proven to be right on target."

There are four major players in the Operation Unified Response supply chain to Haiti—GTMO (the hub), the Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville airfield, the Blount Island Marine terminal in Jacksonville for incoming and outgoing barges, and Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, which supports the pier-side replenishment of combat logistics forces (CLF) ships.

"NAS Jacksonville, Blount Island, and Mayport are the three nodes that feed material to GTMO, the afloat forces, and directly to Haiti," said Robinson.

Supplies delivered to GTMO via NAS Jacksonville thus far include more than 450,000 humanitarian daily rations (HDR), more than 1,000 five-gallon collapsible water jugs, 282 tent sets, 34 pallets of medical supplies and equipment, nearly 46,000 cases of bottled water and 200 UHF handheld radios. A typical HDR contains enough food for one person for one day. Barges from Blount Island are also carrying supplies to GTMO.

The latest ship to receive cargo was USS Bighorn (T-AO-198). Defense Distribution Center Jacksonville, Florida (DDJF) and the FISC Logistics Support Center worked as a team loading more than 500 pallets of ships provisions on to Bighorn, more HDRs, bottled water and medicals supplies.

"I can honestly say without the teamwork and professionalism of the DDJF group and LSC Mayport, this evolution would not have been completed with such efficiency. It's amazing what you can achieve with a small dedicated team who understands the requirement and responds to the task," said Australian exchange officer, Lt. Sherrin Whiteman.

"Another FISC Jacksonville detachment that has been instrumental in the relief effort is our Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport [NCBC] det," said FISC executive officer, Cmdr. James Peltier. "The Gulfport team coordinated with the 20th Seabee Readiness Group (SRG), the Public Works crane crew and the base embark team at Gulfport to pull pieces of civil engineering support equipment [such as backhoes and bulldozers] and camp set-up items for Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 7."

Moving supplies, equipment, food and water … none of this would be possible without one thing.

"Our regional fuel director, Lt. Cmdr. Mike Wilson, helps me keep an eye on what is probably the most important commodity in our delivery of supplies … fuel," said Robinson. "The supply chain simply can't move without it. Ships don't sail and helos and planes don't fly without fuel," she added.

At the FISC Jacksonville headquarters, things are buzzing. Multiple daily conference calls keep the supply center's leadership gathered in the commanding officer's office discussing and planning FISC

Jacksonville's next best move or a new tasking.
The contracting department is working long hours to meet the demand for contract awards and acquisitions.

Contracting personnel increased the government purchase card threshold spending and contract award limits, accelerated procurement of emergency items such as generators and collapsible water jugs, and awarded contracts in support of Amphibious Construction Battalion 2 and on behalf of USS Bataan (LHD 5).

The department is also working to refine requirements for an enhanced level of contract services at GTMO as Operation Unified Response continues to grow along with the GTMO base population.

The FISC Jacksonville team is fully engaged in Operation Unified Response, and its hard work is getting noticed.

"Joyce Robinson's team in Guantanamo Bay is doing a fabulous job down there and [her] team in Jacksonville is working around the clock," said Heinrich.

As this mission persists, Robinson feels confident FISC Jacksonville will maintain its momentum.

"I'm really impressed by this workforce's commitment. I know my team, COMFISCS, and the U.S. Navy will continue to support this operation and bring relief to the Haitian people until Operation Unified Response is complete," said Robinson.

FISC Jacksonville, one of seven supply centers under COMFISCS, provides operational logistics, business and support services to fleet, shore and industrial commands of the Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and other Joint and Allied Forces. Services include contracting, regional transportation, fuel, material management, household goods movement support, postal and consolidated mail, warehousing, global logistics and husbanding, hazardous material management, and integrated logistics support.

COMFISCS comprises more than 6,400 military and civilian logistics professionals, operating as a single cohesive team providing an array of integrated global logistics and contracting services from nearly 200 locations worldwide to Navy and Joint operational units across all warfare enterprises.

A component of the Naval Supply Systems Command headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pa., COMFISCS is part of a worldwide logistics network of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel providing combat capability through logistics.