Navy Dispatch :: Newspaper

SAN DIEGO (Nov. 16, 2011) Lt. Cmdr. Frank Kim, fuel officer for Naval Supply Systems Command, Fleet Logistics Center San Diego, compares sample bottles of traditional diesel fuel marine and an algae-derived alternative fuel during the Navy's largest shipboard alternative fuel test at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego. The fuel department of Naval Supply Systems Command, Fleet Logistics Center San Diego loaded the Self Defense Test Ship with 20,000 gallons of the alternative fuel for the demonstration. U.S. Navy photo by Candice Villarreal

San Diego Logistics Center preps SDTS for alternative fuel test
11/24/2011
by Candice Villarreal, NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center
San Diego Public Affairs
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) San Diego personnel successfully loaded the Self Defense Test Ship (SDTS) with a breakthrough alternative fuel blend Nov. 16 at the Defense Fuel Supply Point (DFSP) in San Diego.

In preparation for the Navy's largest demonstration of shipboard alternative fuel use, NAVSUP FLC San Diego fuel department personnel transferred about 20,000 gallons of a 50-50 blend of hydro-processed algae-derived algal oil and petroleum F-76 to SDTS, a decommissioned Spruance-class destroyer formerly known as Paul F. Foster (EDD 964).

Three tanker trucks transferred the fuel to SDTS over a six-hour period at the supply point's Pier 180 aboard Naval Base Point Loma. Following the fueling operation, SDTS set sail for its 17-hour test transit back to Port Hueneme, Calif.

"The alternative fuel is really a drop-in fuel, meaning we conduct the entire fueling evolution just as we would with traditional fuels, making it not only beneficial for the environment, but also convenient for us as operators," said Lt. Cmdr. Frank Kim, fuel officer for NAVSUP FLC San Diego. "We use the same types of trucks, hoses and other pierside equipment to transfer the fuel, and no modifications are required either from a fueling perspective or on the shipboard side. It's going to be pretty amazing to see where these fuels take us in the future."

Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Energy, Installations and Environment) Jackalyne Pfannenstiel and Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Energy) Thomas Hicks were present during the fueling evolution and hosted a question-and-answer session about the alternative fuel and the imminent demonstration.

Following its decommissioning, SDTS was reconfigured to provide the Navy an at-sea, remotely controlled engineering test and evaluation platform without the risk to personnel or operational assets. The ship successfully concluded the demonstration upon its Nov. 17 arrival at Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme.

The Navy continues to test alternative fuels as part of the energy strategy developed to enhance energy security and environmental stewardship while reducing greenhouse emissions.

"This might be the largest demonstration to date, but it won't be the last," Kim said. "We're charged with fueling the fleet, and wherever the Navy's energy innovations take us, that's where we'll be. Years back, we focused only on traditional petroleum products, but now we're going to keep the pace to do our part in meeting the Navy's energy goals and eventually powering our great green fleet."

NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center San Diego, one of seven fleet logistics centers under NAVSUP Global Logistics Support, provides global logistics, business and support services to fleet, shore and industrial commands of the Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and other joint and allied Forces. Services include contracting, regional transportation, fuel, material management, household goods movement support, postal and consolidated mail, warehousing, global logistics and husbanding, hazardous material management, and integrated logistics support.

NAVSUP GLS comprises more than 5,700 military and civilian logistics professionals, contractors and foreign nationals operating as a single cohesive team providing global logistics services from 110 locations worldwide.

A component of the Naval Supply Systems Command headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pa., NAVSUP GLS is part of a worldwide logistics network of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel providing combat capability through logistics.

Thanksgiving feast for local at-risk youth, Nov. 22.
Janae Sergio, a logistics management specialist at the command, organized the all-volunteer meal for San Diego Youth Services (SDYS), a non-profit organization that aims to stabilize the lives of homeless and in-crisis youth.

A total of about 150 pounds of fresh food was served, including more than 60 pounds of turkey, 40 pounds of ham, 35 pounds of potatoes and 15 pounds of vegetables. Several pies also complemented the banquet-style feast.

"This was my first interaction with the Navy since I'm new to the program, but what they have done here shows us a lot of really great support," said Helena Kelly, a SDYS participant. "For a lot of us, this is our second family - our only family, really. If my little sister wasn't here with me right now and we weren't at this Thanksgiving dinner they made for us, it would just be me for the holiday."

The NAVSUP FLC San Diego Navy Food Management Team prepared the turkey and ham roasts in the command's training kitchen, while other volunteers prepared their own dishes. The commanding officer, executive director and command master chief and their families served the meals alongside NAVSUP Global Logistics Support Commander Rear Adm. Jonathan Yuen and his wife.

"The food was great and the whole thing was just really nice," said SDYS participant Raquel Martinez. "It was really cool to be able to sit down with the other youth and have a nice dinner together for once."

NAVSUP FLC San Diego partnered with SDYS in the fall of 2010 as part of the command's robust outreach and accession program, focused equally on three defined areas: Projects (construction and beautification), helping (tutoring and reading) and mentoring. The program's youth frequently participate in ship tours, on-base heritage events and the command's newest venture, the FLC San Diego Teambuilding and Mentorship Program, which aims to support SDYS through above-and-beyond mentorship, job preparation and training.

"We have a very strong and active partnership with these youths; we have a genuine interest in helping them become self-sufficient and successful in reaching their highest potential," Sergio said. "Part of the joy of the holiday season is being able to give to those who need it, but it's also a time to reflect and give thanks for all that we have. The thought that some of them might not have had a Thanksgiving dinner was just unacceptable; we want them to know we're here to stay, and this was just another small way for us to show them that."