LSC Pearl Harbor supports multinational exercise

Navy Supply Corps Newsletter, Jan-Feb, 2003 by Keith Sykes

"East is East and West is West and never the twain shall meet," wrote Rudyard Kipling many years ago. Kipling, of course, had never witnessed a RIMPAC exercise, which brings together navies of east and west for six weeks of military maneuvers.

RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific) is a joint military exercise designed to enhance tactical capabilities, improve readiness and efficiency, and foster mutual understanding and cooperation among nations. Held every two years, it brings together the United States and various countries located along the Pacific Rim. (The one exception is the participant from the "Atlantic Rim"--Great Britain.)

Due to Operation Enduring Freedom, this year's RIMPAC, which was the 18th to be held, had markedly fewer participants than in years past. Altogether, it involved approximately 36 ships, 24 aircraft, and 11,000 military personnel. For the first time in years, no aircraft carriers took part. Participating countries included Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, Peru, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Typically held every two years, RIMPAC takes place in the waters off Hawaii, and FISC Pearl Harbor is a major provider to the many participating commands. Until the last ship raises its anchor, FISC Pearl's workload undergoes a significant increase, particularly for those personnel, such as longshoremen and fuel folks, who are on the front lines of ship support.

This year's RIMPAC, which was held from June 21--July 22, tested more than the tactical proficiencies of the participating ships--it also marked the biggest test to date for FISC Pearl's Logistics Support Center (LSC). Established in 2001, the LSC had never experienced a RIMPAC nor the near-simultaneous arrival of dozens of ships and thousands of Sailors, many of whom are non-English speaking. Any concerns, however, about the LSC were put to rest in the first few days of the exercise as it quickly proved to be more than ready for the task.

In one example provided by LCDR Keith Sykes, FISC Pearl's Logistics Support Officer, a RIMPAC ship asked to have two CASREPs expedited. The Logistics Support Officer passed the request to the ship's Logistics Support Representative (LSR), who located the CASREPs in the supply chain and had them delivered expeditiously to Pearl Harbor. While awaiting their arrival, the LSR contacted the Forward Logistics Site at Hickam AFB to arrange for their transport to the ship via a Chinook-53 helicopter. When the parts arrived at the Pearl Harbor Material Processing Center, the LSR "snatched" them from the delivery truck and drove them to the Forward Logistics Site, where they were airlifted to the ship. From the time Sykes received the original e-mail until the parts were on the ship's deck was 72 hours. The ship's commanding officer was so impressed with the alacrity of the LSR's response that he wrote: "Another big day for the logistics team. Log hit provided several parts that should correct one more CASREP. Three days ago, I challenged the logistic organization and they have exceeded all expectations! BZ!"

Unlike previous RIMPAC exercises in which the participants pulled occasionally into port, this year's RIMPAC maximized training time, and participants remained at sea for the duration of the exercise. To support their requirements, the SS Cape Gibson conducted replenishments-at-sea, and the LSC had a vital role in assembling and arranging the timely delivery of provisions, parts, mail, and other requirements for participating ships.

On load-out days, the LSRs spent hours at the pier, checking for their ships' material among the unending array of deliveries from the Subsistence Prime Vendor, the Pearl Harbor Mail Center, the Material Processing Unit, and other activities. To an untrained eye, it might have looked hectic, but the LSRs had it all under control, leaving only when they saw the last of the material being swung over the side of the Cape Gibson.

When RIMPAC ended and the last ship raised its anchor and set sail for home, the LSRs finally earned a good rest, satisfied that they had passed one of the toughest tests that they could expect to meet under peacetime conditions--RIMPAC.

LCDR Keith Sykes reported to FISC Pearl Harbor in January 2001 after graduating from the Naval Postgraduate School. His previous tours include Supply Officer, USS James K. Polk (SSN 645); Commander, Naval Air Systems Command; Food Service Officer, USS Hunley (AS 31); and Supply Officer, Readiness Training Facility, Dam Neck.

Lieutenant Commander Keith Sykes, SC, USN Customer Service Officer, Fleet and Industrial Supply Center Pearl Harbor