Developing a spoke-and-hub model of logistics operations was just the start. “I’d look at (logistics strategy) and I’d say, ‘This can be done so much better!’ There are so many ways to do this that no one’s ever thought of before.” Next, he looked at the delivery systems, and the secondary effects of the inefficient systems dealing with multiple manufacturers and vendors. “When it came to delivery, our ‘warehouses’ were moving, because they’re boats—they can’t wait to do the mission. If a shipment arrived two days late, the place it’s getting shipped to might not be there anymore.” He began to group orders and ship supplies to a warehouse the team had created at Sector Miami. Dellamura and his team commandeered an old communications building in Richmond Heights, Florida, that wasn’t being used. Employing a just-in-time shipping plan, they aggregated requests, created mass orders, and delivered what exactly the ships needed—timing the port calls. Around June 2023, about a month after Dellamura arrived, Sweet said the process became much more streamlined. “Once they created these kits that you could just ship to units, it was so much easier,” she said. “All I had to do was send an email for how many kits I needed, and what excess items I had on board, and they’d calculate what to bring us.” “They outfitted us with even more than what we needed, and they drove the supplies to us,” said Sweet. “Being a logistician, you have to be ahead of the operators—they’re the customer you’re supporting,” Dellamura said. “If a cutter needs fuel, they don’t wait until they’ve run out to figure out where to find more fuel. They start thinking about it a week in advance. If an operator is asking for a resource, they need it right now, so you have to know how to get it before they realize they need it.” “Our mission is to be able to go out and rescue and repatriate individuals who are interdicted at sea. So, what does that require? Well, we’re basically running a shelter,” he said. “We start with how many people fit on this boat? Okay, well, 75 people fit on this boat, so what will I need to take care of 75 people? Let’s put all that together and get it ready—eventually we’re going to need it.” He stayed alert for ways to tailor the kits to better fit the ships’ needs. Trash bags were added to the itemized list of requirements for each migrant interdiction operations (MIO) kit after Sweet and her crew reached out. Eventually, as they pulled in for port calls, the OVS supply support team would be ready for them. “They would have a crate waiting for us at the pier with everything we needed to restock,” said Sweet. Dellamura and his team standardized a list of 41 items that fit into a tri-wall container: things like kitchen supplies, clothes, medicine, blankets, soap, baby supplies and, of course, gloves. Each MIO kit, about the size of an extra- large footlocker, held enough supplies for 75 people for seven days. When operations slowed down after the summer, Dellamura at a Logistics Readiness Exercise with the Department of Defense at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Photo courtesy Lt. Lydia Renfrow — SPRING 2024 16
