Navy to finalize sealift plans and assess Combat Logistics Force operations

The Navy will finalize a comprehensive, long-term sealift recapitalization plan and assess the effects of widely distributed operations on the Combat Logistics Force, following a Government Accountability Office report recommending those actions.

The recapitalization plan should incorporate "leading practices for capital planning . . . providing a framework with established criteria to assess options, specifying how projects will be prioritized, [and] ensuring strategic linkage to DOD sealift requirements," the Aug. 22 GAO report stated. The Defense Department concurred with the recommendation.

"The sealift recapitalization strategy that has been developed [in November 2016] includes a three-phased plan that extends the service life of select vessels, acquires a limited number of used vessels, and a new construction, common-hulled shipbuilding program," according to DOD's response, which was signed by Allison Stiller, who is performing the duties of the Navy acquisition executive.

Stiller noted the Navy is coordinating with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Transportation Command and the Transportation Department's Maritime Administration. She also noted DOD's proposal for the fiscal year 2018 defense authorization bill included language authorizing the purchase of used ships, which is "a critical leg of the sealift recapitalization strategy. Once the legislative approval is confirmed, the recapitalization effort can proceed, and the overall plan be solidified."

The GAO report also recommended the Navy assess "the effects of widely distributed operations on the size and composition of the combat logistics force." DOD concurred with this recommendation as well.

DOD's response stated that while the FY-16 National Defense Authorization Act mandated a similar assessment be conducted, that particular assessment called for future analysis.

"The Navy is continuing to work with the United States Pacific Fleet and Military Sealift Command to identify capability gaps associated with dispersed operations," according to DOD's response.

A House report accompanying the 2017 NDAA mandated the GAO report.