Members of the SIU’s Government Services Division welcomed new job opportunities as the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC) last week accepted transfer of the USS Rainier in Bremerton, Wash.The Rainier is the third of four U.S. Navy “supply class” fast combat support ships to leave commissioned service “for an even more active role” with MSC, according to the agency. The vessel joins more than 30 civil service-crewed ships providing combat logistics services to the Navy fleets worldwide.
MSC also noted that the Rainier’s crew will be accompanied by approximately 60 Navy personnel for communication support and supply coordination as well as supporting helicopter operations.
MSC issued a press release that is available HERE
The release reads in part, “The transfer of Rainier and her sister ships, USNS Arctic and USNS Supply, and the future transfer of the fourth ship in the class, USS Bridge, in June of next year are part of the Navy’s continuing transformation to a more efficient and cost effective fighting force for the 21st century. According to a May 1998 Center for Naval Analysis study, the Navy will save a projected $76 million annually with the change.
“The transfers also free up a total of 108 active duty Navy officers and 1,996 enlisted Sailors to return to war-fighting roles for which they were trained….”
The Rainier is 754 feet long and has a top speed of greater than 25 knots.
Printer Friendly Page