While the overall mission of stabilizing Iraq remains complex, the sealift operation known as Operation Iraqi Freedom 2 (OIF2) is proceeding smoothly—and Seafarers continue playing a key role in the process.Approximately 60 SIU-crewed vessels remain active in the massive resupply mission that commenced early this year. As previously reported, the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC) estimates that more than 240,000 U.S. military personnel will have rotated into and out of the Middle East by the time OIF2 concludes.
MSC also reported that U.S.-flag ships are carrying heavy volumes of combat service support gear for forces working to steady Iraq. Overall, approximately 24 million square feet of cargo belonging to nine units in the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army and National Guard are being moved by ship during OIF2.
One early highlight of the mission involved five Seafarers-crewed large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off (LMSR) ships loading out more than 70,000 tons of Army hardware in Antwerp, Belgium for the U.S. Army’s 1st Infantry Division—known as Big Red One. From Jan. 25 to early February, the LMSRs (USNS Brittin, USNS Red Cloud, USNS Dahl, USNS Charlton and USNS Watkins) took on a wide range of materiel for delivery to an area northwest of Baghdad, where Big Red One relieved the 4th Infantry Division. The cargo included M1-A1 Abrams heavy battle tanks, armored personnel carriers, Bradley fighting vehicles, heavy trucks, Humvees, fuel trucks and containers loaded with various supplies.
For Seafarers, OIF2 is the continuation of a patriotic duty that began with pre-war mobilizations for the all-out combat phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. As U.S. Maritime Administrator Captain William Schubert recently noted, “Over a year ago, when we first learned that U.S. armed forces would again be relying on American sealift to bring freedom to the Middle East, we called on you (U.S. mariners). We knew there was the potential for danger, but we also knew that the U.S. Merchant Marine would ensure that equipment and supplies would get to where they needed to be and on time. Together, we planned for many contingencies and we coordinated for months before the Army landed in Iraq. We met the challenge—over 7,000 mariners and over 130 U.S.-flag ships brought the military their tanks, Humvees and other critical equipment that led to the freedom of the Iraqi people and the capture of Saddam Hussein. The work continues, and the men and women of the merchant marine remain actively engaged in replenishing equipment and supplies as our troops rotate into and out of Iraq.”
Schubert also said that the Iraq missions have “once again shown how invaluable the U.S.-flag Merchant Marine is to our national security. We have an opportunity to reinforce support for the merchant marine by demonstrating the economic value of a strong and vibrant U.S.-based maritime industry.”
Among the SIU-crewed ships sailing in OIF2 are SL-7s operated by AMSEA; Ready Reserve Force vessels operated by Crowley, Keystone, Mormac, Marine Transport Lines, Pacific Gulf Marine, and Patriot Contract Services; and LMSRs operated by Maersk Line, Limited.
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