Upholding the tradition of their union as well as that of the entire U.S. Merchant Marine, SIU members are providing key support for allied troops involved in Operation Iraqi Freedom.By late March, more than 2,000 Seafarers were sailing aboard military support ships involved in the war. That includes 46 ships from the U.S. Ready Reserve Force (RRF) and 47 vessels that compose part of the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC) fleet, plus at least 10 ships from the Government Services Division.
As the activations and mobilizations proceeded, SIU President Mike Sacco sent a letter to President Bush reaffirming the union's support for the president and for the operation. "You have made it clear that this mission will benefit not only the oppressed citizens of Iraq, but also the entire free world. You can count on the SIU every step of the way," Sacco wrote.
By mid-March, several steps had been taken to help ensure both the safety of the civilian-crewed ships as well as their capacity to support allied forces. A large number of "Force Protection Teams" were being mobilized and sent in theater to provide shipboard security while vessels enter, unload, and depart the "hot" ports. According to knowledgeable sources, the teams will disembark once the vessel is out of port and ready to head out to sea. The teams are being created from National Guard forces including over 300 from Puerto Rico who have law enforcement experience. These teams will board and ride all merchant ships entering the area.
Additionally, protective gear including chemical, biological and radiological defense equipment and medical kits have been sent and will be deployed in forward areas to be placed on board vessels entering the region. The gear will be loaded on the vessels in transit or in designated ports.
Finally, smallpox and anthrax vaccines are being sent to forward areas to continue the inoculation program initiated by the Defense Department.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, commenting on the current mission, noted that such operations are nothing new for the merchant marine. "The maritime community has served America with great distinction during every major crisis in our nation's history, and the mariners who crew the ships are the cornerstone of this effort," said Mineta. "From the Revolutionary War, through both World Wars and up to today, our mariners have willingly defended and served this nation with enthusiasm and valor."
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