NAVSUP in Africa helps make USS Sentry, USS Gladiator ready for mission in the Red Sea

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Jacob Sippel | PORT OF DJIBOUTI, Djibouti (Oct. 30, 2021) – U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Michael Bock, Camp Lemonnier supply officer, stands in front of USS Gladiator (MCM 11) and USS Sentry (MCM 3) during the ship’s sustainment and logistics visit at the Port of Djibouti, Oct. 20, 2021. Gladiator and Sentry are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and Pacific through the Western Indian Ocean and the strategic choke points. Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti serves as an expeditionary base for U.S. military forces providing support to ships, aircraft and personnel that ensure security throughout Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia. The base enables maritime and combat operations in the Horn of Africa while fostering positive U.S.-Africa relations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jacob Sippel)  

ITALY

11.16.2021

Story by Joe Yanik 

Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella

Lt. Cmdr. Michael Bock, Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella (NAVSUP FLCSI) site director at Camp Lemmonier, Djibouti (CLDJ) leads a team of military and contractor logisticians whose mission is to provide a full spectrum of logistics support services to USS, USNS and USCG ships in this Eastern Africa Region.

"My team's main line of efforts are movements of goods and people, focusing on mail, repairables, CASREPS and replenishing the ships' stores and provisions," Bock said.

When the USS Gladiator (MCM 11) and USS Sentry (MCM 3) conducted a logistics and maintenance period (LMP), or post visit, at the Port of Djibouti in late October 2021, his team of supply logisticians ensured the ships would be ready to continue on with their mine countermeasure mission.

Lt. Ben Hoell, NAVSUP FLCSI Site Djibouti's logistics support officer, supervised the supply efforts by military and contractor personnel who coordinated the loading, unloading and provisioning during the LMP.

"During the port visit, we delivered official and unofficial mail to the crewmembers, disposed of waster water, loaded repair parts and replenished the ships' stores with food provisions, such as fresh fruits and vegetables," Hoell said.

Gladiator and Sentry are currently deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and Pacific through the Western Indian Ocean and the strategic choke point of Bab el-Mandeb.

After the port visit, Sentry and Gladiator transited the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, entering the Red Sea, where they supported exercise Indigo Defender 21.

The voyage marked the first time in 7 years 5th Fleet’s forward-deployed MCMs sailed from the Arabian Gulf to the Red Sea and back.

CLDJ serves as an expeditionary base for U.S. military forces providing support to ships, aircraft and personnel that ensure security throughout Europe, Africa and the Central Theaters. The base enables maritime and combat operations in the Horn of Africa while fostering positive U.S.-Africa relations.

Site Djibouti is one of NAVSUP FLC Sigonella's five logistics sites strategically located across Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia. Through its offices and facilities at Camp Lemonnier, Site CLDJ provides
logistics, supply network and quality-of-life services to U.S. Naval, Joint, and Allied customers throughout the AFRICOM Theater of Operations.

(U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs contributed to this story - https://www.facebook.com/NAVCENT.C5F)

• Date Taken: 11.16.2021
• Date Posted: 11.16.2021 09:35
• Story ID: 409391
• Location: IT