Posts tagged as:

msc

For almost ten years, the Marine Corps–the Third Marine Expeditionary Force–and the Military Sealift Command have leased the Austal-built Westpac Express, a 331-foot long aluminum high-speed ferry. But with the emergence of the “Green Fleet” concept, and with the Navy and Marine Corps eager to highlight “green” initiatives, this puny vessel (a gas-guzzler in itself, […]

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Is something shaking up the peacetime-oriented MSC?

by Craig Hooper on October 19, 2010

As I wrote in the October issue of USNI’s Proceedings, the 30-31 ships of the Combat Logistics Force (CLF) are some of the most important and highly utilized vessels of the Fleet (article .pdf here: Hooper Oct 10). Sink our underway replenishment ships, and our local combatants run out of gas, ammo, food or all […]

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USS Bataan: Is High OPTEMPO taking a toll?

by Craig Hooper on March 10, 2010

The USS Bataan (LHD-5)  was one of the first ships directed towards Haiti after the massive January 12 earthquake, but, once the ship arrived to serve in Operation Unified Response, the Bataan ran into a hail of criticism over it’s slow start in accepting and treating wounded Haitians.  One of my USNI pals was particularly […]

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Haiti: Trying to fuel the recovery

by Craig Hooper on January 20, 2010

One little-noticed facet of America’s Haiti-bound expeditionary aid effort is the SS Petersburg (T-AOT 9101), a 45-year old vessel that is, right now, tied to a Bay Area pier, preparing to deploy.  Why is this Ready Reserve Force asset, one that needs ten days to get going–and one of the furthest-flung pieces of equipment the United States has called into service for Haiti relief–getting activated?  Isn’t […]

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