The
Joint Ammunition and Logistics Organisation (JALO)is a crucial
part of the ADF and yet few people understand what the organisation
really does. Here, Michael Sheil of JALO-West, provides us with
some insight.
The Joint Ammunition and Logistics Organisation (JALO) is a multi
facetted organisation supporting the ADF and our Allies, in the
supply of weapon systems, explosive ordnance, ordnance, ammunition
and associated services.
At HMAS Stirling, JALO-West is made up of four units - Guided
Weapons In-Service Support - West (GWISS-W), Guided Weapons Maintenance
- West (GWM-W), Regional Services - Western Australia (RS-WA)
and JALO Depot Stirling.
RS-WA comprises a small team of service and civilian personnel
whose principal roles include ammunition safety, storage, disposal,
technical services (licensing, audits, periodic ordnance inspections,
magazine compliance certification, safety observance and weapon
sentencing) and local management of JALO Depot Stirling, the ADI
Ltd storage and distribution contract.
GWISS-W, is the technical Centre of Excellence (COE) for torpedoes.
It
supports the ADF, RNZN, RNZAF and USN with engineering, technical
and whole of life support to undersea weapon systems, Mk48 and
Mk46 torpedoes, encapsulated harpoon and target systems.
GWM-W
is the maintenance COE for torpedoes and provides the maintenance
of undersea weapons for the ADF, RNZN, RNZAF and USN.
GWM-M has both explosive and non-explosive facilities where weapons
are maintained, inspected, repaired, refurbished, rebuilt and
tested after storage or use. Torpedoes can be used and rebuilt
many times in an exercise configuration, and are a major part
of the strategic value of our forces.
Together the four teams of JALO-West provide the ADF with a complete
service in support of all JALO products.
