THE TRADE

FLSE SUBS –
Working Together
FEATURES
Fleet Logistics Support Element Submarines,
better known as FLSE SUBS, is now three
years old, providing dedicated logistics
support to the Submarine Force. FLSE
SUBS was stood up in July 2013, as one
of the outcomes of the Logistic Stream
Implementation Project (LSIP) which was part
of the Submarine Capability Improvement
Project (LSIP). As the organisation has
evolved, so too has the working relationship
between personnel within FLSE SUBS and
Submarine crews.
FLSE SUBS aims to enable good submarine
(SM) practice through the provision of
effective maritime logistics and supporting
the Submariner Maritime Logistics personnel
onboard. Good SM practice can be defined
as “well established and documented
techniques, methods, processes, activities,
incentives or rewards that are more effective
at delivering a particular outcome than any
other technique, method or process.” The
overarching intent of good SM practice is to
ensure the continued safety and well being of
submarines and their crews while operating
at an optimal and sustainable level, whilst
remaining undetected and achieving the
operational intent.
The team at FLSE SUBS celebrates their third birthday with a BBQ and cake.
SC) who is the cell manager, a LSML-SC
who is the cell supervisor, and two ABML-
SC sailors. There are also a food services
and a support operations cell, who oversee
catering and hotel services onboard the
Submarines.
However, it is the relationship between each
of the FLSE support cells and the submarine
crew that has been the key to the success
of the re-structured organisation. The MLO
acts as a ‘head of department’ for the
Submarine, and the Cell members liaise
with their counterparts onboard to ensure
enabling high quality logistics support to each
of the boats.
AB ML-SC Scott Partington (Waller Support Cell)
handing over stores to AB ML-SC Christian
Moyers (Waller)
AB ML-SC Christian Moyers issuing stores to PO Steven
Robinson onboard Waller.
FLSE SUBS has also been a Submariner
‘recruiting’ source. Some junior sailors
have requested postings to FLSE SUBS to
‘get a feel’ for Submarine Service before
volunteering. HMAS Waller offered to take
a FLSE SUBS member for a short period,
and AB Christian Moyers volunteered to
go. Following his brief sea ride in Waller AB
Moyers nominated for Submarine Service.
AB Warren-McCarthy working in FLSE SUBS
Warehouse.
As some Submarine maintenance is carried
out at ASC in Adelaide, FLSE SUBS has had
the challenge of providing remote support
from Fleet Base West. This year, FLSE
SUBS sent a number of personnel across to
Adelaide, for short periods, to support both
HMA Submarines Farncomb and Waller.
FLSE SUBS was also lucky to maintain a
full-time presence in Adelaide through RAAF
Reservist FSGT Dominic Dempsey, who
is currently employed on Continuous Full
Time Service as the HMAS Farncomb Cell
Manager.
FLSE SUBS, the organisation, came into
being just over three years ago. However, it
is the people within FLSE SUBS and onboard
the boats, working together, that has enabled
the timely and effective provision of logistics
support to the Submarines. Together this
has enabled the Submarines to continue
to achieve operational intent as a strategic
deterrent.•
LEUT Gilkinson, MLO Dechaineux at Fleet Base West to
see HMAS Dechaineux departure for commencement of
her Sea Release Assurance Program.
FLSE SUBS is structured to provide dedicated
logistics support to five submarines. Each
Submarine is supported by a logistics
support cell within FLSE SUBS. Each cell
has a LEUT Maritime Logistics Officer (MLO),
a PO Maritime Logistics Supply Chain (ML-
LEUT Crannage, MLO Sheean and AB ML-SC Boonrod
(Sheean cell member) on location supporting Sheean’s
Self Maintenance Period underway at Subic Bay,
Phillipines.
Right: Members of Sheean Support cell within
FLSE SUBS: LS ML-SC Grace Ransley and
AB ML-SC Shane Vaisey.
Supporting deployments is a very important
part of FLSE SUBS role, and FLSE SUBS
personnel regularly deploy to various port
visit locations in order to support their
submarine. Submarines are now starting to
conduct two-week Self Maintenance Periods
(SMP) in other ports, including overseas. The
SMPs also require a FLSE SUBS ML-SC
sailor on site to provide inventory support
to the Submarine for the duration of these
maintenance activities.
“Working at FLSE SUBS is a challenging, fast
paced environment. There are many different
roles throughout FLSE SUBS that you can
work in, such as: the warehouse, the office
and the Submarine Distribution Point (located
on the Submarine Wharf at Fleet Base West)
to name a few. With so many jobs, it can
become a little difficult sometimes, though
due to having so many “Storbies” in the
one work place, you will always have the
knowledge, support and experience to help
get you through your tasks. Over my time at
FLSE SUBS, I have gained lots of experience
and skills, but most importantly, I have made
many lifelong friends” said ABML-SC Natalie
Warren-McCarthy.
FSGT Dempsey, with his daughter Michelle, at Australian Submarine Corporation, Adelaide SA.
THE TRADE
16 THE TRADE
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EDITION 2, 2016 EDITION 2, 2016