FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii- United States Army, Pacific logisticians welcomed and shared operational knowledge with Singaporan Army Logistics July 22 - 26 for the fifth Logistics Subject Matter Expert Exchange between USARPAC and the Singapore Army.
"This program is a professional exchange of logistic methods and understanding of the transformational efforts with the operational and ground concepts of logistics of both armies," said Col Kan Whye Tan, chief supply officer for Singapore Army. "The exchange allowed us to better understand [U.S. Army] logics and operational concepts, while building the partnership and friendship amongst our logistic operations."
The LOG SMEE program with Singapore has rotated locations between the United States and Singapore with each subsequent iteration since its inception in 2010. The engagement is conducted in an effort to sustain operational partnership with Singapore Army logisticians, increase interoperability, and build logistics capacity.
The exchange showcased how the U.S. Army manages and executes logistics at the theater, tactical and combat operations levels.
"We started at the USARPAC level, then went down to the theater sustainment command, including the Expeditionary Sustainment Command, then on to the 25th ID Brigade Support Battalions, to see how they conduct business at that level," said Sgt. 1st Class Travis Haefler, USARPAC multinational logistics operations sergeant. "We also visited the regional level, so we saw the Department of Logistics warehouse at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and visited the Directorate of Logistics, to see how DOL supports the warfighter with the different capabilities that they provide us. We also included a site visit to the Army watercraft and discussed how they are employed for exercises such as Combined Joint Logistics Over the Shore."
According to Tan, from the experience of talking to the officers and NCOs at the different levels, the greatest take away from the visits is learning the challenges they face and the operational thinking and training they possess.
Another integral part of the LOG SMEE is interpersonal discussions. With over 50 logistics topic areas, counterparts engaged to discuss challenges, efficiencies, and better ways of supporting combat forces during conflicts, contingencies or humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief operations.
"As each Army develops in its own capabilities, we look at some of these transformational areas and how we can go beyond both in terms of cooperation and professional exchanges," said Tan. "The key is building a very good relationship with each other, between the
two armies, so that we can sustain the friendship and interoperability."
Logisticians from USARPAC G4 have completed more than 11 engagements this fiscal year in support of the Security Cooperation Policy Directorate. In 2014, USARPAC G4 plans to conduct the next SA LOG SME in Singapore, with Singapore hosting.
"Each time we visit we get a better understanding, and we explore areas which we can further cooperate for the exchange," said Tan. "We are building very good professional relationships and exchanges with USARPAC. This is important to continue and we really appreciate USARPAC for arranging to host us here this year. A lot of the units took time and sacrificed time for training and we appreciate it."
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