DVIDS – News – NAVSUP FLC San Diego

EL CENTRO, Calif. – Each year, the United States Navy’s flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, travel to Naval Air Facility El Centro for their winter training. Flying six F/A-18 Super Hornets, twice a day, for three months takes a lot of fuel. Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center (NAVSUP) San Diego Center (FLCSD) has provided the squadron with the supply support it needs for more than a decade.

“This is my fourth year supporting the Blue Angels, and with the help of my team, we have continued to foster a positive and strong relationship,” said Lt. Christopher John, Naval Air Facility El Centro site manager, NAVSUP FLC San Diego. “Due to the demanding training requirements, we have developed an efficient process that ensures all supply-related provisions are handled quickly and professionally.”

Prior to the arrival of the Blue Angels, the site manager coordinates with the Blue Angels supply officer, reviewing requirements, scheduling, and other logistics. Preparations begin in November as members of the Advance Team arrive just after Christmas Day.

The NAVSUP FLCSD El Centro Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) team communicates with their Blue Angels counterparts prior to and upon arrival to ensure they have adequate storage capacity. From setting up HAZMAT satellite lockers in your hangar to preparing smoke and engine oil requirements, all the bases are ready for the arrival of the Blue Angels. Upon arrival, the HAZMAT team provides support as needed, including issuing material, assisting with ordering items from San Diego, assisting with proper labeling of containers, and conducting courtesy assessments of lockers, to ensure all containers and material are Navy, state and federal compliant. standards

While the Blue Angels train at El Centro, the team fields six F/A-18 Super Hornets for two practices a day, with a total of four flights, each lasting an average of 50 minutes. This year, they have approximately 120 training flights scheduled.

NAVSUP FLCSD provides aircraft fuel support directly through fuel trucks and occasionally hot pits. “Hot pit” refueling occurs when an aircraft receives fuel immediately after landing, while keeping one engine running.

During an average week, 115,000 gallons of JP-5 fuel are provided during provisioning, 1,400 gallons are processed during wearout, and 110 cold pumping evolutions are run. Evolutions of cold pumping involve fueling the aircraft while the engine is off, almost like filling up at a gas station. Fueling is done with fuel trucks that are sent to the aircraft on landing. Fuel is provided from one of two 900,000 gallon bulk fuel tanks. Fuel is loaded into trucks and transferred to four hot fuel tanks via a pipeline.

As a result of intense preparations and communications with the Blue Angels, the execution of the NAVSUP FLCSD – El Centro mission is smooth. With a staff of 30, the El Centro team must work together to support not only the Blue Angels, but the other tenant squadrons and commands at Naval Air Facility El Centro.

Throughout the training season, NAVSUP FLCSD El Centro experiences both increased fuel requirements and mail flow. To prepare for increased postal requirements, the NAVSUP FLCSD Regional Mail Center Supervisor El Centro partners with the administrative department to confirm that all orders have the proper designation documentation prior to the arrival of the team. Occasionally, to meet fuel demands, the site may submit a request through the Defense Logistics Agency to increase the maximum allowable fuel storage in bulk tanks.

“The most unique aspect of supporting the Blue Angels is primarily the visibility of the team. They get a lot of attention from the highest levels,” Lt. John explained. “It is essential that the Site El Centro team is ready with the support we offer. We must do our part to facilitate an efficient and successful training season for them, culminating in their first show of the season, the annual Naval Air Facility El Centro Air Show.”

NAVSUP FLC San Diego is one of eight FLCs under the Commander, NAVSUP. Headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, NAVSUP employs a globally diverse workforce of more than 25,000 military and civilian personnel. NAVSUP and the Navy Supply Corps conduct and enable supply chain, acquisition, operational logistics, and Sailor and family care activities with our mission partners to build readiness and sustain naval forces worldwide to prevent and decisively win wars. Learn more at www.navsup.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/navsup and https://twitter.com/navsupsyscom