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Logistics:
anything, anywhere, anytime
...we
have to move stores, mail, spare parts and people around the world
and across the Middle East utilising every available means possible...
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Members
of the RAN Logistic Support Element in Bahrain. The core
role for the group is rear link for embarked Australian
personnel.
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With
a motto that underwrites their triple-A service, the men and women
of the RAN Logistic Support Element (LSE) located on the island
of Bahrain in the Persian Gulf, work to ensure that those afloat
with the Multinational Interception Force get absolutely anything
from anywhere at anytime.
A huge task, but the 10-person team comprising 9 RAN personnel and
one Army Sergeant work around the clock to coordinate and manage
strategic and logistic sustainment to forces afloat.
But that is just the start of what is required of this busy outfit.
“We have to pull off some pretty amazing things here,”
says CMDR Sheldon Williams, Commanding Officer of the logistics
element.
“Outside of our core role of being the rear link for embarked
Australian personnel, we have to move stores, mail, spare parts
and people around the world and across the Middle East, utilising
every available means possible in order to get the job done.”
The job for the Australians in this ancient and sometimes slow moving
part of the world also requires them to do much more than act as
a logistics hub.
“Things here don’t happen immediately, but when they do
we have to be on top of our game or we may miss opportunities,”
says a Chief Petty Officer working with the team.
“The hurry up and wait analogy used in Australia often equals
wait, wait, wait then hurry up in the Gulf.”
“That takes a lot to get used to and being able to think outside
the box often gets things done despite things seemingly standing
still.” A thought reinforced by CMDR Williams, “we must
at times act as travel agents, porters, diplomats and racketeers
in order to assure those afloat are given the best possible support
we can give.”
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