FORT BELVOIR, Va. –
More than $48 million will be added to the Department of Defense Working Capital Fund after the Defense Logistics Agency Energy Fuels Exchange Agreements Forum in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, Sept. 20-22.
A DLA Finance Energy team settled several fuel direct bill and FEA invoices with international partners including Poland, Romania, Czech Republic, Norway, France, Italian Navy, Spanish Armada, German Ministry of Defense and Belgium Ministry of Defense.
“One of the most beneficial accomplishments during the forum was the opportunity to sign settlements face-to-face and build relationships in person,” said Chief of DLA Finance Energy Retail Management Division Patricia Canales. “This provided Finance Energy an insight to the ‘big picture’ of what it takes to support our military and foreign military partners. This was truly an exchange of ideas and a look into the future of fuel support through the lenses of many in attendance.”
This year was the largest forum since the annual event started in 2007, sponsored by DLA Energy Europe & Africa. Nearly 90 representatives from 13 countries met in person during the forum to talk fuel infrastructure, future operations and increased partnership opportunities in addition to billing and settlements.
“We modeled this marine fuel forum in 2007 based on the long-established reconciliation and settlement meetings we had with the NATO air forces,” said Richard Sninsky, DLA Finance Energy Comptroller. “It’s proven over the past decade and a half to enhance our mutual fuel logistics partnerships and bringing in nearly $50 million back into our fund is a job well done.”
Steven Bocock, the DLA Finance Energy Retail Support Branch chief, has attended the forum for the past four years. He and Canales provided a briefing to attendees on how the billing process works for direct bill and FEA and met individually with several foreign partners to discuss invoicing and payments.
“We’re ensuring fuel or cash reimbursement to DLA Energy for fuel sold to foreign partners,” he said. “This meeting has proven to provide financial and operational benefits through international logistics under the Energy Fuel Exchange Agreement program.”
DLA Energy Commander Air Force Brig. Gen. Jimmy Canlas provided opening remarks in person during the forum reinforcing his commitment to DLA Energy’s international partnerships.
“These relationships we have built consistently show the world that we can stand united together while supporting one another,” he said. “This past year has brought new concerns with potential threats that could affect all of us, over land, sea, or air. I ask you to think both strategically and operationally as we consider future fuel support going forward, especially in a contested and degraded environment.”
DLA Energy currently has 42 fuel agreements which provide fuel cross-servicing capabilities between partner nations and coalition forces worldwide. Synchronized with DLA Energy regional offices, the DLA Energy International Fuel Agreements team is responsible for establishing and maintaining these long-term Department of Defense fuel agreements with foreign militaries providing a global capability to meet future fuel requirements.
Read more about DLA Energy’s international fuel agreement partnerships on the DLA Energy website.