Waterfront support from NOLSC-AMMO

Navy Supply Corps Newsletter, Jan-Feb, 2005 by James Watts

Ever look across at that Combat Logistics Force ship swinging ordnance to your ship and wondered how it got there? ... Well, it all starts at NOLSC. Our team manages the Navy's $32 billion dollar ordnance stockpile by verifying allowances and sourcing ordnance for movement via the Time Phased Force Deployment Data (TPFDD) process for the long trip to your area of responsibility (AOR). Supply of ordnance to Pacific afloat units are handled by NOLSC AMMOPAC, Atlantic afloat units by NOLSC AMMOLANT, and Marine Corps air-dropped ordnance customers by the Crisis Response Center (CRC).

AMMOPAC and AMMOLANT are the NOLSC waterfront representatives to Pacific and Atlantic fleets and associated shore activities. They are located in San Diego and Norfolk respectively, and perform inventory management, ammunition logistics and technical support to sea duty based warfighters. The offices act as fleet liaison with regard to technical research, requisition assistance, on-site training, and general ordnance related information.

Ammunition Requisition Management

AMMOPAC and AMMOLANT identify and coordinate ammunition cross decks, publish Combat Logistics Force tailored fleet issue load allowances, manage ammunition Opportune Lilt (OPLIFT) programs, and are the coastal ammunition vertical replenishment (VERTREP) coordinators. Every opportunity is used to identify cost saving methods and maintain "ready for issue" ammunition afloat.

Ammunition Battle Group Briefings

AMMOPAC/AMMOLANT host carrier support group/expeditionary support group (CSG/ESG) briefings similar to the logistics predeployment briefs supply officers attend to ensure deploying units are prepared to enter foreign waters with the maximum ordnance threat posture available on board. During ordnance predeployment briefs, fleet staffs are briefed on the status of current ammunition accounts and reconciliation methods, recent changes with interdeployment ordnance requisition processes, and instruction updates.

Opportune Lift (OPLIFT) Program

AMMOPAC and AMMOLANT manage ammunition logistics planning for on load and off-load of all AOE/T-AE/T-AKE class ammunition ships.

Additionally, AMMO acts as the Fleet Opportune Lift (OPLIFT) manager for ordnance in the eastern and middle Pacific. The OPLIFT Program provides the U.S. Navy the use of Military Sealift Command sponsored vessels to transport munitions from the west coast of CONUS to all naval ports in the eastern, middle, and western Pacific regions. This is in direct support of ammunition resupply, meeting required delivery dates, and retrograde rollback operations.

As ordnance material is needed in various out-CONUS locations, a load point and date is designated. The various naval magazines and weapons stations will "offer up" material on station to the AMMOs for loading. This material is assigned a priority and as the vessel makes its scheduled delivery, munitions are loaded onto the vessels on a space available basis.

The AMMOs, working with the item managers at NOLSC AMMO in Mechanicsburg, assign the priorities to each load-out to ensure the right ammunition is in the right place at the right time.

The OPLIFT Program allows the Navy to realize a cost avoidance of millions of dollars annually in transportation cost. The alternative is to hire expensive commercial vessels, unduly burden the war fighters with the duties of loading, storing and transporting ordnance items, or spending costly dollars through the Navy Airlift Office (NALO) Program to fly material from point to point.

Ammunition Requisition Training and Support

AMMOPAC and AMMOLANT assist the fleet in providing technical and administrative assistance to Ordnance Officers and Retail Ordnance Logistics Management System (ROLMS) database managers. Assistance can be received by accessing the Navy Distant Support anchor desk Web site at (www.anchordesk.navy.mil).

Additionally, ordnance officers, ordnance handling officer, gunnery officers, combat system officers, and weapons officers receive current up to date information through the Naval Operational Logistics Center web site. Select "Ammunition" at http://www.navsup.navy.mil/npi/our_team/field/nOISc.jsp.> NOLSC Crisis Response Center

The NOLSC Crisis Response Center (CRC) is the viable source of expertise and information for NOLSC and OPNAV in setting ordnance policy. The mission of the CRC is to provide a focal point for ordnance operational logistics support to self deploying units.

In filling this mission, the CRC performs ordnance logistics coordination and transportation to support contingency operations, OPLANS, and other global ordnance requirements.

Ordnance Mobile Fleet Support Team (MFST)

You may ask, with all this going on, there has to be a lot of questions from the fleet about ordnance systems and movement. Assisting the fleet with training, technical issues, and Retail Ordnance Logistics Management System (ROLMS) is the MFST.

The MFST was established to provide over-the-shoulder, one-on-one global feet support in ROLMS hardware and software installation, account establishment, operator proficiency training, and ordnance inventory reconciliation. The Ordnance MFST directly interfaces with Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard fleet customers by providing hands-on training, assistance, and support across the full spectrum of ordnance logistics management.