From last August through the combat phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the SIU-crewed USNS Watkins made six voyages to Kuwait, where it offloaded materiel for U.S. armed forces.
Throughout those many months, miles and cargoes, the ship ran trouble-free and the crew embraced its mission.
“Every single person did a great job,” said Bosun James Walker, who was aboard the Watkins for four of the six voyages. “The SIU crew members were efficient, and we were proud to serve and support our troops. That’s the way we felt—proud to do our part.”
As more and more Seafarers illustrate their experiences from Operation Iraqi Freedom, it appears reasonable to describe the Watkins as generally representative of the more than 100 SIU-crewed ships involved in the mission. With vessels returning to U.S. ports across the country (many of the ships will continue sailing for the postwar sealift operations), Seafarers are reporting that their wartime voyages were characterized by quiet resolve and patriotism, long hours and a cooperative spirit that helped overcome potential obstacles.
Walker also touched on another common theme: respectful camaraderie between the merchant mariners and the armed-forces personnel who provided shipboard security.
“When we carried the Army personnel, it gave you a whole new sense of the mission,” the bosun stated. “You get to know the Army guys, it makes you even more proud to do your part. They have their own discipline and way of doing things, but they felt like family. It was a hard thing to see them go into the desert when we had to leave Kuwait. But I always wished them well, thanked them and told them to come home safe.”
The Watkins, operated by Maersk Line, Limited for the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC), is part of the large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off (LMSR) fleet of 20 vessels built or converted as a result of studies examining U.S. sealift capabilities during the Persian Gulf War. For Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Watkins transported U.S. helicopters, tanks, ammunition, ambulances, bridge equipment, cranes, tow trucks, supply trucks, jeeps, humvees, mine-locating equipment, radar systems and more. The cargo was discharged in Shuaybah, Kuwait.
Walker noted that the voyages to Kuwait marked “the first time for the chief mate and I to deploy the (ship’s) bridge, and we did it in record time. The captain complimented us on how fast and safe we did it. I can’t say enough about the SIU crane drivers we had. They’re very well-trained, and that makes a big difference.”
The bosun also praised the steward department, “who on every trip had to serve at least 20 extra people at sea and at least 40 extra people in port. They never slacked off a bit.”
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