# Strategic, joint fuel planning

/ Published Feb. 16, 2022
FORT BELVOIR, Va., 
Operational fuel requirements and strategic planning were the priorities of the Joint Petroleum Seminar held in the McNamara Headquarters Complex at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Feb. 7-8.

Defense Logistics Agency Energy hosted the two-day seminar for members of the military petroleum community to collaborate and plan for current, future, and emerging energy needs in the joint petroleum arena. 

A seminar highlight was the high-level panel discussion led by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Construction and Acting Principal DASD for Sustainment Michael McAndrew, and DASD for Energy & Environment Resilience Richard Kidd. The leaders discussed the Climate Adaptation Plan, the operational realities of the strategic environment, and future planning efforts before taking questions from the audience. 

A key topic of discussion was climate change and the need for the Department to adapt its energy use to new strategic realities. Greg Knowles, DLA Energy liaison officer for North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, asked the panel what their highest priorities are both near and long-term regarding the future of the Department. 

“I have two overarching priorities of importance,” Kidd said. “One is energy resilience, ensuring the Department has access to the energy it needs to perform missions both at home and abroad, particularly given the fact the entire energy supply chain is contested. And, two, we must do so in a way that reduces our greenhouse gas emissions in order to address climate change.” 

                Strategic, joint fuel planning                            DLA Energy Commander Air Force Brig. Gen. Jimmy Canlas and DLA Energy Director of Sustainment, Restoration and Modernization Eric Wiedemann gave a briefing on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 during the Joint Petroleum Seminar in the McNamara Headquarters Complex at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Feb. 8. In section 352, subsection 2927, the NDAA states the United States Transportation Command shall be the element responsible for bulk fuel management and delivery of the Department of Defense on a global basis.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Connie BraeschVIRIN: 220208-D-D0441-903

DLA Energy Commander Air Force Brig. Gen. Jimmy Canlas gave a briefing on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022. In section 352, subsection 2927, the NDAA states in January 2023, “the U.S. Transportation Command shall be the element responsible for bulk fuel management and delivery of the Department of Defense on a global basis.”

Eric Wiedemann, DLA Energy Director of Sustainment, Restoration and Modernization, is part of the DLA Energy operational process team set up to assist in implementing the required actions to comply with the NDAA requirements. He briefly discussed the major milestones and objectives established to chart the way ahead.

“In the end, this can be a win-win situation,” Canlas said. “If we take advantage of the expertise and influence of a global combatant command (TRANSCOM) coupled with DLA’s expertise as the Executive Agent and Integrated Materiel Manager, we can make a winning team that can thrive in competition through conflict.”

Throughout the two days, participants received other high-level briefings on petroleum initiatives across the globe; engaged in logistical discussions on forecasting, inventory management and equipment sustainment, restoration and modernization; and learned about worldwide petroleum capabilities and resources available.  

Marine Corps Maj. Benjamin Burgeson is the Joint Petroleum Officer at NORAD/USNORTHCOM in Colorado Springs, Colorado. 

“It’s been very eye opening to learn all of the agencies, services and combatant command capabilities,” he said. “Conference calls don’t allow for chit chat or personal stories to understand how you relate to one another. Being able to talk to my adjacent combatant commands and supporting services and really get to know them has been a great experience for me.”

                Strategic, joint fuel planning                            DLA Energy hosted the Joint Petroleum Seminar bringing DLA Energy headquarters, regional commands, service components and combatant command representatives together to network and share critical knowledge. About 60 military and civilian members socially distanced in the McNamara Headquarters Complex auditorium at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and about 60 additional participants joined online through virtual platforms.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Connie BraeschVIRIN: 220208-D-D0441-900

For 20 years, DLA Energy has hosted the annual event. Last year’s event was cancelled due to the COVID pandemic, and this year’s planners organized the event in a hybrid format. About 60 military and civilian members socially distanced in the DLA HQC auditorium and about 60 additional participants joined online through virtual platforms. 

Air Force Master Sgt. Lucas Thompson, Superintendent of the Joint Petroleum Office at TRANSCOM on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, said it was a great opportunity to meet his peers in person.

“The last two years have been very difficult to develop working relationships with our counterparts across the globe, so this is a great opportunity for us to come together to shake hands, meet each other face to face, and develop those relationships,” he said. 

The event brings DLA Energy headquarters, regional commands, service components and combatant command representatives together and provides a unique opportunity for them to network and share critical knowledge.

Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Nilda Valdez was part of a small Marine Corps contingency who attended the seminar. Among other duties, she is a liaison officer to the Naval Petroleum Office. 

“We’ve been doing a lot of working groups and calls, so to actually be here physically and match the face with the individual is great,” she said. “In the future, on the next call we’ll know exactly who’s behind the voice.” 

The seminar is part of a full week of activities including the Installation Planning Review Board. For the next three days, the jointly chaired board with representatives from the Joint Staff J4, DLA Energy, Combatant Commands, and military services will discuss, prioritize, and vote on military constructions projects for fixed fuel infrastructure.