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SIU ship hosts ambassador (6/20)

The U.S. Military Sealift Command issued the following press release concerning the Seafarers-crewed USNS Roy Wheat. U.S. Navy cargo ship hosts U.S. Ambassador to Estonia The noncombatant Military Sealift Command ship USNS LCPL Roy M. Wheat hosted U.S. Ambassador to Estonia, Stanley Davis Phillips and the Estonian Chief of Defense Col. N. Vali, aboard ship for a tour in Tallinn, Estonia’s capital city, June 19. Wheat arrived in Estonia June 15, nearly a year after the cargo ship first visited the country in 2006. “The crew really enjoyed the hospitality of the Estonians and very much looked forward to coming back this year,” said the ship’s civilian master Capt. Peter Grealy. USNS Wheat frequently travels to commercial ports like Tallinn because it is forward-deployed to Europe as a member of the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadron One. The ships of MPS Squadron One strategically stage U.S. military cargo at sea in the European theater. In the event of a military or humanitarian crisis, the mission of this squadron is to deliver its cargo to forces ashore, ensuring a fast U.S. response to contingency situations. The squadron also plays an important role supporting NATO military exercises in the region and bolstering U.S. ties with its allies in Europe. USNS Wheat recently participated in BALTOPS ’07. “Playing a part in BALTOPS ’07 provides a unique opportunity for NATO combatants to develop familiarity with our merchant marine capabilities,” said Navy Capt. Clayton Saunders, commander of MPS Squadron One. MPS Squadron One is commanded by a U.S. Navy captain and a small contingent of military personnel embarked aboard one of the squadron’s ships. U.S. merchant mariners, however, operate the individual ships of the squadron. USNS Wheat was named after Medal of Honor recipient U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Roy M. Wheat. Wheat died in combat August 11, 1967, during the Vietnam War, throwing himself on an exploding mine to save the lives of his fellow Marines. The U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command has three Maritime Prepositioning squadrons stationed around the globe. MPS Squadron Two operates in the Indian Ocean. MPS Squadron Three operates in the Pacific Ocean. Military Sealift Command operates approximately 110 noncombatant, civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships, chart ocean bottoms, conduct undersea surveillance, strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world and move military equipment and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces. ###