Team Beaumont discharges two LMSRs simultaneously

Translog: Journal of Military Transportation Management, Jan-Feb, 2002

In one of the largest vessel offload operations since the Gulf War, MTMC transpoorters discharged cargo filling the entire comercial port of Beaumont, Texas, as well as a 15-acre site outside the port perimeter to handle the overflow.

"It was a massive discharge," said Lt. Col. Timothy Civils, Commander, 842nd Transportation Battation, of the 1,600 pieces of cargo. "We had our hands full."

The cargo, from Operation Bright Star in Egypt, arrived aboard two Large, Medium-Speed, Roll-on/Roll-Off ships. The USNS Seay arrived Dec. 2 with 1,444 pieces of cargo, and the USNS Fisher arrived Dec. 6 with 240 pieces of cargo.

"A sufficient staging area was critical," said Ken Pendergraft, Chief of the 842nd's deployment support team. "The port of Beaumont had a large volume of commercial cargo on hand, and staging area was at a premium."

The working partnership between MTMC and the port of Beaumont was essential, said Pendergraft. The transporters developed a staging plan that would use all available space within the port perimeter--plus an additional 15 acres of area just outside.

Meanwhile, there was additional support from the Army Reserve. The 842nd Battalion's deployment support team worked with the Army Reserve's 1184th Transportation Terminal Battalion, of Mobile, Ala.

In addition to staging areas, there was the challenge of facilitating the onward movement of cargoes.

Arrangements for port clearance and onward movement was accomplished by Nancy Bourdet, the team's Movement Control Chief.

"Not since the Gulf War days have we had an opportunity to move this amount of cargo to multiple destinations by multiple modes of transportation," said Bourdet.

Using the Global Freight Management System, the team moved 436 pieces of cargo by commercial truck, creating more than 250 Commercial Bills of Lading.

The Army Reservists arrived Nov. 28 and began port manager duties. Members of the 842nd Transportation Battalion's deployment support team provided direct support. Their major duties included: cargo discharges, port clearance, and cargo tracking to destination.

Additional assistance was received from the 152nd Movement Control Team, of Fort Carson, Colo. The team provided valuable rail and truck-loading expertise. Meanwhile, team members gained the experience of working at a port.

The majority of the cargo was shipped to the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colo., and multiple Army units at Fort Hood, Texas.

Several of our veterans provided training and experience to new soldiers. Marine cargo specialist Ralph Cote worked with the vessel section on stevedore practices, port security requirements and the efficient discharge sequences.

"We received an executive summary from the 840th Transportation Battalion, describing, in detail, problems encountered during the loading in Egypt," said Cote.

"This advanced information assisted tremendously in planning and executing a smooth and efficient discharge."

Terminal Operator Johnny Jackson assisted the terminal section with guidance on staging, transshipment and port clearance. Capt. Lisa Alexander and Bourdet assisted in the movement control section.

"It was the tremendous effort on everyone's part that resulted in the success of this mission,' said Civils. "We had great team focus and customer service at work."