Record—setting journey: MTMC loads high-speed watercraft

Translog: Journal of Military Transportation Management, Jan-Feb, 2003 by Bram de Jong, W. Noel Smith

When the High Speed Vessel X-1 Joint Venture entered the port of Bremerhaven, Germany, MTMC transporters found themselves working a record-setting mission.

The experimental, high-speed watercraft, under lease by the Army, had circumnavigated the world in 31 cruising days--during a seven-month period.

The last leg of that journey began Sept. 20, when Joint Venture crossed the Atlantic Ocean from Fort Eustis, Va., to transport soldiers and vehicles from Germany to Poland as part of Exercise Victory Strike III.

Transporters with the 950th Transportation Co., Bremerhaven, had never seen such a ship, said Maj. Robert Steigerwald, Jr., commander. Modified for commercial use, the Australian-built ferry can travel as fast as 46 mph--four times faster than the Army's Logistics Support Vessel.

"The mission tests the fast movement capability of military personnel and materiel from Bremerhaven, Germany to Szczecin, Poland," said Steigerwald.

Although an unusual vessel, MTMC loading operations went smoothly and brought a hearty compliment from Chief Warrant Officer 3 Rebecca Brashears, the vessel's executive officer.

"I've been all over the world with this vessel," said Brashears, "but the best support, with the smoothest operations thus far, have been at the port of Bremerhaven, working with the people of the 950th."

After loading in Bremerhaven, the vessel sailed for Poland--arriving in 24 hours.

Sgt. 1st Class Carl Brown, operations NCOIC, and Ingolf Schiebel, marine cargo specialist, were at the port of Szczecin, awaiting the vessel's arrival. With the vessel's fast trip, the two had greatly reduced the time needed to plan for discharge operations. Fortunately, an earlier port survey by traffic manager Michael Korn assisted their efforts.

"The port survey we conducted a few years ago paid off," said Steigerwald. "During the survey, we established positive contact and good relations with the Polish port authorities and the port contractor. This helped make the coordination of the operation quite smooth, even though it was the first time we'd worked in this port."

"The discharge got some great help from Polish dock workers," said Brown. "I've been everywhere, and the people here in Szczecin have bent over backwards to help us. They're very interested in doing business with the U.S. Army, and we look forward to working with them again in the future."

The operation in Poland was the Joint Venture's first mission in Europe. Earlier missions included carrying new Stryker infantry carriers, of the Interim Brigade Combat Team, from Fort Hueneme, Calif., to Tacoma, Wash.; and moving Enduring Freedom cargo to the Persian Gulf.

The mission results were touted by Brig. Gen. Charles Fletcher Jr., commander, 3rd Corps Support Command, Wiesbaden, Germany.

"The high-speed vessel is a type of ship the Army never had," said Fletcher. "It's fast, can sail in shallow water, and can transport cargo and passengers.

"With this vessel, we're able to move priority cargo and soldiers by water between airports.

"A study says that 12 of these high-speed vessels can transport as many as 250 C-130 Hercules transportation planes. This is the Army of the future."

One of Fletcher's units, the 181st Transportation Battalion, Mannheim, Germany, convoyed equipment and personnel to Bremerhaven

The Army has leased the vessel since April. The 313-foot aluminum catamaran has 20,000-square feel of cargo space and is capable of carrying 850 short tons. It can carry in excess of 360 soldiers and crew.

Bram de Jong Command Affairs Officer 598th Transportation Group

W. Noel Smith Traffic Management Specialist 950th Transportation Co.