FISC Yokosuka Logisticians Receive Initial JMSDF Logistics Training
By Kazuyuki Takagi, CFAY Public Affairs



Representatives of FISC Yokosuka visit JMSDF logistics commands to receive three-day training to strengthen ties and expand their knowledge of JMSDF logistics operations from July 6-8. This marked the first time FISC Yokosuka personnel have received JMSDF logistics training. Photo Courtesy of Kumiko Toi

海上自衛隊との関係強化および海上自衛隊後方支援の知識を深めるため、海上自衛隊後方支援部隊を3日間に渡り訪問し、各部隊で研修を受けるFISC横須賀職員。FISC横須賀職員が海上自衛隊の後方支援について研修を受けるのは初めてのことである。写真提供：戸井久美子、FISC

U.S. Fleet and Industrial Supply Center (FISC) Yokosuka has maintained a very close relationship with JMSDF logistics personnel for a number of years, dating back to 1967.

Recently, seven Japan Maritime Self- Defense Force (JMSDF) supply officers visited Commander, Fleet Activities, Yokosuka (CFAY) to learn about U.S. Navy logistics at FISC Yokosuka as well as Defense Distribution Depot Yokosuka Japan (DDYJ), a key distribution depot in Western Pacific.

In July, three FISC logisticians, two JMSDF interns and a FISC JMSDF liaison representative, in return, visited JMSDF logistics commands to receive three-day training in an effort to strengthen ties and expand their knowledge of JMSDF logistics operations.

This marked the first time FISC Yokosuka personnel have received JMSDF logistics training.

As the representatives of FISC Yokosuka, Chief Machinist Mate (SW) Doneka Booker, Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuel) 1st Class Ranilo Untivero and General Manager Masami Minami, from FISC Yokosuka Fuel Department, participated in the three-day training, from July 6 - 8, to fulfill their interest in learning about its JMSDF counterpart.

“I thought it would be a great opportunity to learn logistics from a different perspective,” said Booker.

“I wished to know their logistics support and organizations and differences between their processes and ours,” said Minami. The first day of training started with a visit to JMSDF Ship Supply Depot (SSD), which is headquartered in Yokosuka.

FISC Yokosuka logisticians learned how SSD provides logistics support to JMSDF ships. Following the brief, JMSDF supply officers answered questions from FISC members and escorted them during the facility tour.

In the afternoon, Yokosuka Repair and Supply Facility (Y-RSF) gave the participants a brief on Y-RSF’s operations. The participants later toured warehouse spaces and Shoji-sho or Yokosuka Degaussing Station. Shoji-sho is a place to erase the permanent magnetism from ships in order for the ships not to be exploited by magnetic mines.

On the second day, the group crossed Tokyo Bay and visited JMSDF Air Supply Depot (ASD), Kisarazu in Chiba prefecture, where they were given a brief on what ASD does, followed by a facility tour including warehouse spaces, the Japan Ground Self-Defense control tower and memorial museum.

On the last day, they visited the Maritime Staff Office (MSO) in Ichigaya, Tokyo. MSO is the Japanese equivalent to the U.S. Navy Chief of Naval Operations, which is located in one of the Japan Defense Ministry buildings.

The FISC group toured Ichigaya Memorial Museum and Health and Welfare building after learning JMSDF organization and MSO structures.

The final day of training concluded with a visit to Maritime Materiel Command (MMC) in Jyujo, Tokyo, where they were briefed what MMC does, and given a tour of the facility.

MMC is headquartered in Jyujo garrison in Tokyo along with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, Ground Material Control Command and Japan Air Self-Defense Force Air Material Command Headquarters, which engages in operations including procurement, storage, supply and maintenance of equipment for JMSDF ships and aircraft. Under MMC, there are JMSDF SSD Yokosuka and JMSDF Air Supply Depot Kisarazu and ASD Shimofusa.

“What impressed me the most during the training was the JMSDF operation support for Operation Enduring Freedom. JMSDF has provided ships of foreign forces in the Indian Ocean with fuel for their ships as well as fresh water,” said Minami. “If there is a next time, I wish to know more details, especially about Maritime Staff Office.”

“The three-day training was outstanding. It provided the basic Information to learn about JMSDF logistics, and we also learned their organization, capabilities, missions, budgets, material management and facilities” said Booker. “I would like to receive the training again.”