MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. –
U.S. Marine Corps Logistics Command (MARCORLOGCOM) is collaborating with Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services to explore operational level logistics support to I MEF on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton (MCBCP), Calif. This most recent Joint partnership effort focuses on reusing the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) Mesa as an enterprise logistics hub for I MEF in order to provide responsive and efficient support for operational logistics services and disposal activities.
The SONGS is a permanently closed nuclear power plant located south of San Clemente, Calif. The SONGS Mesa is located on the opposite side of HWY 5 from the closed power plant, and is ideally positioned to facilitate logistical hub support to I MEF.
In addition to the planning meetings, key leaders from MARCORLOGCOM, DLA-Disposition Services, MCBCP, and Marine Force Storage Command (MFSC) recently conducted a terrain walk of several locations on Camp Pendleton in order to proof the concept.
Daniel W. Elzie, deputy, Marine force Storage Command recognized the concept as a win for I MEF. “When we open the Consolidated Storage Program (CSP) issue facility, we will provide the I MEF with a strategically located issue facility that they have been asking for,” said Elzie.
MFSC manages the CSP for the Marine Corps. The total MCBCP population is currently supported by one issue facility for Class II ICE. The MARCORLOGCOM / DLA-Disposition Services proposal would include a second IIF to service the MCBCP northern population, giving immediate access to CL II to the 24k Marines included within the northern population.
DLA-DS would also reap several rewards through the partnership. The SONGS Mesa provides additional open storage and improves accessibility to DLA-Disposition Services activities over the current footprint within area 22. Another win for DLA would be the ability to re-use existing facilities located on the SONGS Mesa that could dramatically reduce construction costs versus any expansion within area 22.
Initially DLA and MARCORLOGCOM took separate approaches to providing logistics support to I MEF and MCBCP.
“Recognizing that we had similar end states in support of I MEF made the idea of partnering an obvious decision”, said Elzie. “The blueprint for operational level logistics support to I MEF that we are creating with this MARCORLOGCOM - DLA partnership will eventually and serve as the model for future logistics capabilities throughout the Marine Corps.”