Defense fuel support at Craney Island: Fostering partnership

Defense Logistics Energy's newest Commander Navy Rear Adm. George Bresnihan visited fuel facilities at the Defense Fuel Support Point Craney Island in Portsmouth, Virginia and Chambers Airfield in Norfolk, Virginia, during his first trip since taking command.

Since the 1940s, DFSP Craney Island has served a major fuel depot with a mission to receive, store, and issue fuels for naval activities. As the primary fuel installation for Naval Station Norfolk, Craney Island spans 735 acres, playing a vital role in ensuring naval forces have adequate fuel supply for its operations.

Bresnihan received a comprehensive brief on island operations and a guided tour during his visit. He observed fuel transfers to a Canadian Oiler and commercial barge, viewed sampling procedures and a hot pit refueling at Chambers Field. Additionally, he climbed one of the island's largest tanks, gaining firsthand insight into logistical processes.

"After observing a variety of operations during my first site visit to DFSP Craney Island and Chambers Field, an office call with the installation commanding officer was held to discuss Navy command and control transfer to ensure our support to DFSPs storing DLA owned fuel is strong and will continue," Bresnihan said.

Mid-Atlantic Regional Fuels Director Toney Pierce and Mid-Atlantic Regional Fuels Officer Navy Lt. Cmdr. Jessica Vaeth participated in Bresnihan's site visit. For Pierce and Vaeth, their role of overseeing logistical processes enables sustainment of a secure and efficient fuel supply chain that allows them to aid naval forces air and sea responsiveness to operational demands.

"The site visit included a significant discussion about continuing the partnership with Kansas University and the 811 program, which prepares supply officers with a strong fuel commodity management background and the required wave top knowledge of petroleum," Vaeth said. "This relationship is crucial for ensuring that future leaders are well-versed in fuel management and operations."

"The conversation emphasized the importance of maintaining a military touchpoint at all major Defense Fuel Support Points facilities, fostering ongoing collaboration and communication between academia and military operations. By strengthening these connections, the team aimed to enhance training and readiness for supply officers that'll benefit the Navy's logistics capabilities."

The Craney Island team highlighted ongoing fuel programs and projects, the need for upgrades to improve processing efficiency and emphasized conveying process enhancements to senior leaders.

"The upcoming Military Construction project for one of the oldest and most degraded piers at Craney Island highlights the advancement of naval logistics and operational readiness," Pierce said. "The project aims to enhance the pier's capabilities to support the largest Military Sealift Command tankers, enabling us to accommodate three tankers simultaneously. The upgrade will substantially improve the fleet's operational capacity and empower Warfighters to maintain a stronger global sea presence. The project is currently scheduled for FY29, discussions are centered on the potential to expedite the timeline to better align with increasing operational demands."

The site visit fostered collaboration and transparency between DLA Energy leaders and the Craney Island team, illustrating the intricacies of fuel management. Cross-organizational engagements open avenues for discussions and greater understanding by senior leaders to the optimize the supply chain which is key for maintaining Warfighter readiness.