Navy refueling options in Southern California: an analysis of alternatives in case DFSP Point Loma is not available

Abstract

The Defense Fuel Supply Point (DFSP) at Point Loma California provides most of the fuel that the U.S. Navy assets use in the Southern California operating areas

3,171,000 BBLS total of F-76 and JP-5 in Fiscal Year 2000. If it were disabled or destroyed, it would be vital that all personnel involved understand the numerous alternative methods of getting fuel to the fleet. This thesis studies the offices and organizations that could be affected by the sudden removal of DFSP Point Loma as a fueling source, and examines the various alternative fueling options and methods. It looks at the options from the background of current fuel transportation methods and the reasons that might make a contingency fueling plan necessary. It discusses what considerations there would be to choosing an alternative, and gives four generic scenarios, walking through the options that might be best for each. The thesis ends with a summary of the findings, some conclusions, and some recommendations for DoD and for further studies. The research was done through sources at the NPS Library, online, and on site including interviews and searching through files. From all of the information gathered, a number of conclusions can be drawn. The first one is that if DFSP Point Loma is destroyed or disabled that there are definitely other options for getting fuel to the fleet. The second and third conclusions are that the current fueling capabilities in Southern California support the Missions and Visions of MSC and DESC.