US Navy's NAVSUP in Bahrain Provided Logistics Support to French Navy Aircraft Carrier

: Posted On Monday, 11 January 2016 00:09

Naval Forces News - USA, France

US Navy's NAVSUP in Bahrain Provided Logistics Support to French Navy Aircraft Carrier

The U.S. Navy's NAVSUP FLC (Navy Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center) in Bahrain supported resupply efforts for French aircraft carrier FS Charles De Gaulle (R 91) during its port visit to Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain in early January.

Charles De Gaulle has been operating in the Arabian Gulf since Dec. 7 and conducting missions with U.S. and coalition partners in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorist organization.

NAVSUP FLC Bahrain helped the aircraft carrier and three accompanying French ships maintain mission readiness by providing transportation and logistical support.

According to French Navy Lt. Guillaume Florczyka, who oversaw the onload for Charles de Gaulle, 80 percent of the resupplied parts were for aircraft and critical to current operational needs.

"It's difficult to get supplies out on mission and not be able to make port calls at our usual ports," said Florczyka. "It's easier for us to work with [NAVSUP FLC Bahrain] than civilian agencies."

"NAVSUP FLC Bahrain takes great pride in the services we provide to the fleet every day, and it's our honor to provide a little bit of that same customer-focused service to our French allies," said NAVSUP FLC Bahrain Executive Director Brian Sterner. "Our support of Charles De Gaulle is yet another demonstration of the flexibility, reliability, and expertise of the NAVSUP FLC Bahrain team."

The carrier's previous resupply was in early December while the ship was at sea. The port call in Bahrain provided sailors with a much needed opportunity to unwind off the ship as well as receive critical supplies.

The three other French ships resupplied during the port call include air defense destroyer Chevalier Paul (D621), anti-submarine frigate La Motte-Picquet (D645) and command and supply ship Marne (A630).

This port visit came less than two weeks after the U.S. Secretary of Defense, Ashton Carter and Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, Vice Adm. Kevin Donegan visited Charles De Gaulle at sea Dec. 19 in a move that demonstrated the interoperability and partnership between the naval forces of France and the U.S. in the fight to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL.

NAVSUP FLC Bahrain has more than 160 military and civilian personnel providing logistics support in the 5th Fleet area of operation. The command is one of eight fleet logistics centers worldwide in the NAVSUP Global Logistics Support (GLS) enterprise.