TEL AVIV, Israel –
Air Force Capt. Robert Erskine and Navy Lt. Brent Cohen from Defense Logistics Agency Energy Europe & Africa participated as fuels liaison officers during exercise Juniper Cobra 2018.
The joint exercise included robust training between U.S. and Israeli military personnel on shared capabilities and interoperability using computer simulations and live scenarios.
“The exercise was a two-week multinational anti-missile defense operation,” Erskine said. “During the exercise, members coordinated simulated crisis resupply of goods and material needed to successfully defend Israel from foreign aggression.”
Cohen integrated with the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa Readiness & Logistics staff onboard USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) in the eastern Mediterranean Sea to assist in exercise planning and operational requirements. Erskine deployed to Israel where he worked side by side with Israeli Defense Force logisticians in the exercise control group developing solutions to fuel limitation scenarios.
DLA Energy Europe & Africa synchronized the arrival of a Foreign Military Sales fuel vessel, the U.S. flagged tanker Overseas Santorini, to be offloaded during the exercise. Erskine coordinated a visit to the ship while it downloaded JP8 to gain insight into the vessel’s fuel hauling and download capabilities.
“Being able to work directly with our customers in a dynamic joint environment at sea was invaluable,” Cohen said. “This experience will enable me to provide the best possible support to our military customers in this theater in the future.”
DLA Energy routinely participates in exercises like Juniper Cobra in regions across the world to build strong partnerships with allies, prepare for contingencies and identify gaps in the fuel supply chain to ensure the best support to the warfighter.