Inaugural deployment of NAVELSF contingency contracting

NAVELSF Contingency Contracting Wave One from Contingency Contracting Company Alpha of Supply Support Battalion 1 (SSB1 CCC A) recently completed its inaugural tour in Iraq. This assignment marked the first operational mission and the first combat tour for the San Diego Reserve unit.

The Navy's first-ever Contingency Contracting Company was established in October 2003. Personnel recruited to the unit were a blend of Reserve members possessing DAWIA certifications and others working to achieve DAWIA standards of proficiency. This extensive professional training required for certification makes these billets unique within the supply community.

As well as being the unit CO, I am a Contract Negotiator at the U.S. Air Force, Ogden Air Logistics Center. Along with Training Officer CDR Oscar Giron (of DCMA San Diego), we moved swiftly to meld elements of the USAF contingency contracting training program in standing up this new unit.

In September 2004, Wave One personnel were selected for the initial deployment of this unit. CDR Giron, LCDR Keith Taylor, and myself were the members of this first deployment. While CDR Giron and I are GS-1102's in civil service, LCDR Taylor's contracting expertise was developed in the private sector and in prior Reserve call-ups where he had served in a contracting capacity in locations including Bosnia and Haiti.

Following initial call-up in San Diego, the trio of officers moved on to Fort Bliss, Texas, where outfitting, briefs, and training were conducted. The training provided was in addition to combat skills training provided by NAVELSF. From Fort Bliss, Wave One deployed into theater with an initial stop in Kuwait where body armor and additional briefs were received. This was followed by a night flight into BIAP (Baghdad International Airport) with a Rhino (armored bus) ride to the Green Zone where the we reported to the Project Contracting Office (PCO).

Once at PCO headquarters, I was detailed to report as Director for the Regional Contracting Office in Basrah, Iraq, covering the four southern provinces of Iraq. CDR Giron and LCDR Taylor were both detailed as Sector Chiefs for the massive contracts being awarded and administered from the Contracting Offices in Baghdad. Specifically, CDR Giron was the Sector Chief for Public Works/Water, and LCDR Taylor was the Sector Chief for Transportation and Communication.

These assignments proved to be challenging and rewarding dealing with a multitude of contract issues in a combat setting. Performing the mission provided an excellent opportunity to develop joint operations and coalition experience. This work was of vital importance in countering the insurgency by winning the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people, drawing from the lessons learned of prior successful counterinsurgency efforts of the 20th century and in some ways comparable to the post World War II Marshall plan effort.

It was extremely gratifying to see the fruits of these efforts manifested in the results of the historic Iraqi February 2005 elections. The election was simultaneously the high and low point of the weekend. On Saturday following evening chow, LCDR Taylor was tragically killed in an attack, when a rocket struck the building in which he was working. His death was instantaneous, but the impact of that experience has touched all who worked with him.

LCDR Taylor was universally respected by all who knew him. He completed all assignments earlier than expected and consistently set the bar for superior performance. At the time of his death, LCDR Taylor had completed five months of his six-month assignment.

CDR Giron accompanied the body of LCDR Taylor home to California. LCDR Taylor was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart in recognition of his valor and achievements in Iraq.

The lessons learned during Wave One are proving to be of great value and aided greatly in the deployment of Wave Two personnel. NAVELSF Contingency Contracting Wave Two recently deployed to Iraq. Wave Two personnel comprise unit members from SSB-1 Contingency Contracting Company Alfa of San Diego, and SSB-2 Contingency Contracting Company Papa of Washington, D.C. CDR Keith Forman and LT Mike Reiners are from the San Diego unit, and CDR Amin Mourad is from the Washington, D.C., unit.

CDR Forman, Executive Officer of the San Diego unit, is employed in his civilian career by Naval Facilities Engineering Command, and LT Mike Reiners is a contractor employee supporting Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command in San Diego and is a former GS-1102 with DLA. CDR Mourad is employed by IBM.

The NAVELSF contingency contracting concept is proving its worth as Navy Reservists deploy forward in Iraq providing seamless support in a joint environment alongside our active Supply Corps brothers and sisters. Members of the Reserve Component are now filling approximately twenty percent of the Navy Supply Corps contingency contracting positions on an ongoing basis. To perform one of these assignments requires the officer to be DAWIA certified. Emphasis on obtaining DAWIA certifications cannot be minimized. Rear Admiral Martin Brown, DASN Acquisition, and Rear Admiral Charles A. Williams, the Reserve Flag officer with oversight responsibility for acquisition, have been staunch advocates for the use of Reservists in this role and creating other opportunities for the Reserve acquisition community. The NAVELSF contingency contracting companies are continuing to train and prepare follow-on waves in support of this vital mission in the global war on terror.

Commander Greg Johnson, SC, USNR

Commanding Officer, Contingency Contracting Company Alpha of Supply Support Battalion 1

Naval Expeditionary Logistics Support Force

CAPT (Sel) Greg Johnson is a Contract Negotiator at the USAF Ogden Air Logistics Center.

COPYRIGHT 2005 U.S. Department of the Navy, Supply Systems Command
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group