BATTLE CREEK, Mich. –
A satellite communications terminal removal the Navy expected to need weeks to conclude was quickly wrapped up in mid-July thanks to the reverse logistics acumen of Defense Logistics Agency personnel stationed in Italy.
“Definitely was a team effort and a team win for DLA Europe and Africa,” said Angela Sakryd, the operations supervisor at the DLA Disposition Services property disposal site at Aviano Air Base in northern Italy.
Navy Computer and Telecommunications Station Naples officials reached out to DLA in advance for assistance with the demilitarization of two terminals located at its manned Lago Patria site northwest of the city.
“We were able to coordinate the final disposition over a series of weekly meetings,” Sakryd said. “I explained what they could do up front in order to facilitate the most efficient removal by the contractor, to include completing the Demil F instructions, and they readily complied. They initially planned for three weeks; we were done in three days.”
In all, contractors removed about 21,000 kilos of steel, 5,400 kilos of aluminum, and 370 kilos of copper in three tractor trailer shipments. Sakryd said the Navy didn’t realize how much copper cable it had until the disassembly began. Sale of the copper will go toward DLA’s support costs.
Aviano area manager Danny Boatner said the collaboration demonstrates DLA’s ability to easily integrate with overseas DOD elements on large-scale disposal actions.
NCTS Naples is the largest Navy command in the area, charged with management of all naval tactical communications assets, systems, and circuitry within the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean and communications responsibility for Navy assets in the EUCOM and CENTCOM areas of operation.