Army-Navy teamwork loads Fast Sealift Ship

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

Soldiers and civilians from MTMC's 599th Transportation Group headquarters got some hands-on traffic management experience when the USNS Algol arrived in Pearl Harbor recently.

Army transporters partnered with members of the Navy's Fleet and Industrial Supply Center to load the Algol, one of eight Fast Sealift Ships operated by the Military Sealift Command, over two days.

The Fleet and Industrial Supply Center ran the terminal activity while soldiers from the 25th Infantry Division ran the port support activity.

"The safe and effective load of a Fast Sealift Ship is a terrific training opportunity for the 599th," said Col. Peter J. Gitto, Commander.

"The planning, coordination, and hands-on execution validate our readiness for worldwide deployment," said Gitto.

A deployment support team began work Dec. 15, during the staging and loading of the 946-foot Algol.

In all, 382 pieces of cargo were loaded for the 25th Infantry Division (Light), which will be conducting training for Task Force Eagle at Fort Polk, La. Some 1,200 Schofield Barracks-based soldiers are scheduled to deploy in late March as part of a peacekeeping mission in Bosnia.

MTMC transporters worked with stevedore laborers and Navy personnel on equipment tie-downs, hazardous material compatibility and cargo documentation.

MTMC soldiers and civilians praised the experience gained on working with the Worldwide Port System on the Fast Sealift Ship.

"The upload was an excellent training opportunity in automated cargo documentation with Worldwide Port System scanners," said Master Sgt. Dian Vaz.

Transportation planner David Bertao appreciated the chance to maintain proficiency with loading operations and characteristics of a Fast Sealift Ship.

"As a member of a deployment support team, it's good to keep up with procedures and be knowledgeable about the ships we may work with on future missions," said Bertao.

"This exercise provided us with the chance to identify any problem areas, while loading in a homeland environment that affords flexibility," added Bertao.

"Although it was a small load, the exercise was challenged by fluctuating vehicle numbers during the upload," said.

"However, smooth coordination and flawless communication among the various working components were key to the success of this strategic lift," said Pappalardo.

With the loadout completed 15 hours ahead of schedule, the Algol departed Hawaii on Dec 18 for Beaumont, Texas. At the completion of the Fort Polk training, the equipment will be shipped to Bosnia.