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Request to Co-sponsor
Submit White Paper
Containerized Ice Making System
Date Submitted: June 30, 2020
State: Tennessee
Type Draft Resolution: Add Item
Additional Sponsors: AL, FL, GA, MS, NV
Submitter: Byron Deel
Proposal: Support incremental readiness, modernization and standardization of a containerized ice making system by authorizing and appropriating additional funding to procure/field the dual use Containerized Ice Making System capability to the National Guard.
Recommendation: The military has a system of containers to support field storage and movement of ice for use in medical, mortuary and food preservation operations. These containers generally do not have internal refrigeration and are only able to extend the functional life of block, crushed or cubed ice. The Dual Use Emergency Response mission operates in much the same way. Given that logistical planning tables—such as those contained in FM101-10-1--described a requirement for 8 lbs. per man per day (nominal 4 lbs. per man/day) of block or shaved ice--there needs to be a reliable source of ice to meet the requirement.
The military does not have a portable system for the production of ice. Instead, they use commercial ice machines that produce a limited quantity of ice and store it, unbagged, in a bin internal to the machine—or rely on commercially available packaged product. This can result in inefficient production, distribution, and potential contamination of the required ice and the necessity of additional supply trips into harm's way with potential loss of materiel or lives. Further, the ice machine itself is typically not compatible with use in a harsh field environment.
As described above--the Army produces Field Manuals (FMs) containing ice requirement planning data for logisticians. The Army's Natick Soldier Systems Center took steps in 2013 to understand available capabilities that could enhance bagged ice sustainability in remote operating bases (Base Camps) engaged in combat operation. As a result, PM FSS [Project Manager Force Sustainment Systems] issued an RFI in 2013 in order to help identify technical solutions suitable for rapidly enhancing ice making capability at base camp operations. The ice-maker development project intent was to meet and exceed the specific needs of the Army while fitting in a TriCon for mobility. Key characteristics included in Containerized Ice Making System (CIMS)—the capability name designated by PM-FSS—are: automatically generate 3,600 pounds, in sealed 10-pound bags of potable ice per day & keep 1,200 lbs. in cold storage. The CIMS capability was successfully evaluated by XVIII Airborne Corps' 3rd Expeditionary Support Command during a Fort Bragg training exercise in April 2018. CIMS serves multiple National Guard needs including remote Base Camps in combat operations, remote training locations, and Emergency Response missions by helping to maintain personal and unit readiness, build lethality in combat operations, and take care of people utilizing an innovative solution to address fast-changing, complex challenges.
Recommendation: Fund a plan to implement use of a containerized ice making system that is conveniently self-contained in a standard ISO Tricon container-replacing commercial ice machines or local purchase of ice. Get bagged ice in the hands of the troops quicker and more efficiently. It’s all about Readiness & Modernization!
Input #: 3
Resolution #: 5
Item #: X
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