SIU members were honored June 16 aboard the Ready Reserve Force (RRF) vessel Wright in Baltimore, during a ceremony hosted by the U.S. Maritime Administration. General John W. Handy, Commander, U.S. Transportation Command, presented crew members and officers with Merchant Marine Expeditionary medals.
General Handy delivered the keynote address. He praised the mariners for “the incredible job you’ve done in support of this nation. You make all the difference in the world, and I salute your dedication, patriotism and professionalism.”
Vice Admiral David L. Brewer III, Commander, U.S. Military Sealift Command, also credited the Wright along with the thousands of other merchant mariners who sailed during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“We have prevailed because you answered your nation’s call,” Brewer stated. “You built a steel bridge of democracy from the USA to the coast of Kuwait.”
SIU President Michael Sacco was a guest speaker during the noontime ceremony. He commended the crew and also noted the outstanding cooperation between all parties involved in mobilizing America’s sealift capabilities.
“We were all in it together, and that’s how we got the job done,” Sacco noted.
Also delivering remarks were U.S. Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary Michael P. Jackson; U.S. Maritime Administrator Captain William Schubert; U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Chris Joyce; and American Overseas Marine Corporation President Leland Bishop.
An aviation logistics support ship, the Wright was deployed for 145 days in support of U.S. troops. It provided rapid and dedicated sealift for deployment of U.S. Marine Corps aviation intermediate maintenance activity. The mission included transporting a helicopter platform, a complete repair shop, and equipment for fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. More than 300 Marine Corps personnel operated from the ship during the deployment, providing service and repair in support of the Marine Aviation Combat Element.
“We did 139 helo drops,” said Recertified Steward James Kidd. “There were many days and weeks when it was 100 degrees or more (inside the ship), but we had a good crew. Everything went well between us and the military personnel.”
Repair teams aboard the RRF ship fixed an estimated 2,000 parts for their fellow armed forces personnel. Those pieces were transported to and from the Wright via helicopter.
Please check the July issue of the Seafarers LOG early next month for more photos and quotes from the ceremony.
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