NEW STRUCTURE FOR BETTER NAVAL LOGISTICS

The Naval Logistics Organisation (NLO), comprising the Naval Logistics Command (NALCOM) and Naval Logistics Department (NLD), transited into a new organisational structure on 10 Oct, marking the culmination of a three-year planning process.

More than a skin-deep change, the new structure is designed to better serve the 3rd Generation Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) through streamlined work processes and better integration of the Military Domain Experts Scheme.

At a ceremony to mark the transformation held at Tuas Naval Base on 11 Nov, Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral (RADM) Ng Chee Peng said: "Our Naval Logistics has and always has been the essential element, the unseen backbone, the unsung hero, to ensure mission success across the full spectrum of operations."

Citing the recent successful live-firing of the Barak anti-missile missile from the upgraded missile corvette RSS Valiant, RADM Ng added: "This successful engagement not only demonstrates the war-fighting capability of the 3rd Generation RSN, it also bears testimony to the accomplishments of Naval Logistics. From detailed planning to execution, the fighting forces received sound engineering advice and robust combat service support from NLO to meet mission objectives."

Under the restructured NALCOM, there are three new squadrons providing direct support to all operating forces at sea and in-country across the entire spectrum of naval operations, as well as Headquarters NALCOM, which orchestrates all naval logistics by drawing expertise from the squadrons and other stakeholders into a scalable hub structure called the Integrated Operational Logistics Centre.

The three squadrons are: the Force Readiness, Force Generation and Force Support Squadrons. While the Force Readiness Squadron focuses on the provision of effective logistics planning control and engineering support within the RSN, the Force Generation Squadron is responsible for generating the RSN's full force potential through the comprehensive management of Preventive Maintenance programmes for all RSN assets and the management of civil resources.

The Force Support Squadron was formed by consolidating the Naval Material and Transport Base and the two Camp Commandant Offices in the two naval bases, to provide a centralised solution to meet the logistic sustenance requirements of the RSN.

"We have shifted from a locality-based structure to one that focuses on the outcomes which we want to achieve," explained Military Expert (ME) 7 Low Yong Joo, Commander NALCOM. This allows the work scope of NALCOM personnel to be more focused and better refined, he added.

While NALCOM looks at current operations, the NLD will provide longer-term strategic plans, policies and governance through four newly formed Groups. Each of these Groups will take charge of a specific area of long-term logistics planning, such as the Total Systems Group and Engineering Group which will oversee the supportability of all RSN platforms through out their lifespan.

"My work-scope under the new structure is more refined as we are responsible for one type of system on board the ships, as compared to a few before," said ME5 Heah Khim Yong, Head of what was formally known as the Ship Systems, Reliability, Availability and Maintainability section within the NLO.

"But while the number of systems we are responsible for has decreased, we now take care of ships in both naval bases, so the work load remains roughly the same!" he added with a laugh.