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News | Nov. 19, 2021

DLA Troop Support Europe and Africa team demonstrates subsistence excellence in support of USS Hershel "Woody" Williams

By Army Capt. Mark Oakley DLA Troop Support Public Affairs

Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support Europe and Africa provided operational subsistence support to the USS Hershel “Woody” Williams from August 10 to November 1 this year. Packages were delivered during four port calls in Accra, Ghana; Bradbury, Angola; Cape Town, South Africa; and Cotati, Seychelles.

During this timeframe, the ship conducted operations to promote maritime security by maintaining a presence and conducting freedom of navigation in African waters. It also conducted interoperability missions and engagements with local leaders at each port-of-call to further partnerships with key African allies and further promote strategic relationships to continue to build security and stability in the region.

The Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary mobile base, which is optimized to support a multitude of maritime missions including Airborne Mine Counter Measures, Special Operations Forces, counter-piracy and smuggling operations, maritime security operations, and humanitarian relief missions. It is the first warship permanently assigned to the United States Africa Command area of responsibility.

The DLA Troop Support E&A Tailored Vendor Logistics Specialist team, headed by Branch Chief Richard A. Aaron Jr., provided interagency support between E&A, Combined Task Force-63,  the servicing prime vendor, U.S. Navy Europe and Africa, U.S. Transportation Command, Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, and hosting ports to enable the mission’s success.

The team was able to provide subsistence support throughout the operational timeframe with 100% of orders loaded on time, and maintained flexibility for unplanned changes in the ship’s schedule. Kevin Dawson, Tailored Vendor Logistics Specialist, was involved in ensuring direct coordination with all stakeholders, resulting in all four shipments arriving ahead of the required delivery date. The food orders were delivered to Ghana in August; Angola in September; South Africa in September; and Seychelles in October, allowing for all items to be loaded during port calls.

The ship’s operation cycle began in June when the ship departed Souda Bay, Greece. It’s stops included Morocco, Senegal, Monrovia, Liberia, Ghana, Gabon, Angola, Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique, and the Seychelles.