Retail-focused support team visits Cherry Point

The Defense Logistics Agency Aviation at Cherry Point, North Carolina, hosted leadership from the Industrial Support Activities in Jacksonville, Florida; San Diego, California; and DLA Aviation's Retail Focus Acquisition Support Team on Oct. 29.

The visit supported continued collaboration between the ISA and the RFAST, a team of procurement professionals formed within the past year to handle contract needs for the Fleet Readiness Centers.

Navy Cmdr. Edwin Jimenez, officer in charge of DLA Aviation at Cherry Point, welcomed attendees and highlighted DLA Aviation's critical role in supporting FRC East. He reflected on DLA Aviation's commitment to providing excellent support to customers and warfighters, as emphasized in the DLA Strategic Plan for 2025-2030, which features these transformation imperatives: people, precision, posture and partnership.

"Our mission is customer-centric and partnership-focused," said Josh Waller, deputy commander at DLA Aviation Cherry Point. "If they weren't here, we wouldn't exist."

The meeting's goal was to discuss expectations of RFAST from the ISA perspective. Waller provided an overview of FRC East's organization; products, services and capabilities; weapons systems; facilities; ISA history; and DLA Aviation at Cherry Point's organization, mission and challenges. Other topics included retail-protected stock, local stock numbers, work order effectiveness and vendor contract support.

Scott Carpenter, planning and support chief, and Clyde Shaeffer, material management chief, shared challenges within their respective divisions.

Michael Paul, FRC East H-53 Aircraft Branch Head, gave a firsthand account of the mission ISAs and RFAST are helping support. He discussed the workload and challenges his maintainers face, including the urgency of parts needed. He explained why timely material delivery is crucial to meet each delivery schedule of aircraft back to the fleet. Members also toured the V-22 line and Industrial Manufacturing Department.

After the tour, the ISAs and RFAST assembled for a working-level discussion. Objectives included communication, help needed, constraints and the "art of the possible." Communication between the ISA and RFAST is paramount, and real-time status is vital for planning and execution of Planned Maintenance Intervals and negotiated component repair/overhaul goals. Senior leadership briefings occur daily regarding items with the greatest impact.

"Help us understand the challenges the RFAST is having, so we can help," said Mercedes Melendez, planning supervisor in San Diego. "If we can help you help us, let us know, which ultimately helps the customer." During the discussion, ISA members gained a better understanding of constraints the RFAST team faces.

The visit provided attendees a more detailed understanding of the urgency needed to to support warfighters and other customers. Jimenez reiterated to the group, "We are a family, and we are all warfighters. We need to work together to provide support to our customers."

The alignment of DLA Aviation at Cherry Point's mission to the agency's transformation imperatives directly contributes to the Navy's latest strategic goals, as outlined in the Chief of Naval Operations' Navigation Plan, strengthening strategic partnerships and achieving global logistics posturing capable of meeting future challenges. By prioritizing the ISA's retail process and support needs, this collaborative effort ensures the agency remains agile, responsive and ready to support customers and the warfighter.