Editor’s note: The Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) is the forerunner to today’s Military Sealift Command (MSC). This account of the organization was published in the Aug. 22, 1966 shipboard newsletter, “The Walker Report” aboard the USNS General Nelson M. Walker. In support of our nation’s defense outposts in the Arctic, the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) has sealifted more than 5 million tons of cargo to the Far North since 1950.
This special mission, called “Operation Sealift for Security,” began in 1950 and reached its peak during the 1955-57 operations when MSTS launched the most gigantic logistic assault upon the North polar region ever undertaken by land or aerial forces of any nation.
Termed a logistic miracle by many, this polar “assault” was made to supply men and materials for the construction of the Distant Early Warning (DEW) radar system which, when completed, stretched across the entire Arctic fringe of North America.
During the three-year polar assault, despite encountering the worst ice conditions ever recorded in the Arctic, MSTS sealifted more than 1 million tons of cargo and building equipment, plus 10 million barrels of petroleum products to the DEW Line sites.
This victory over the hazards of wind, ice and fog would not have been possible without the benefit of eight years’ experience in polar logistics. MSTS began Arctic operations of a modest scale in 1950 when it began the “Seaborne Supply of the North East Command” (SUNEC) in the Labrador/Greenland areas.
In 1951, over 50 MSTS-controlled ships in support of operation “Blue Jay” transported materials and personnel to build the Air Force Base at Thule, Greenland. Also at that time, the defense sites at Baffin Island and Labrador were established.
Since that time, MSTS has been resupplying these bases annually.
One of the smallest, yet one of the most interesting, phases of MSTS arctic operations is the resupply of the Pribilof Islands in the Bering Sea. Each year, supplies are sealifted to the U.S. government’s sealing stations on barren St. George and St. Paul islands. The seal products returned to the States are worth more than the material carried to the Pribilofs.
In 1957, the long-sought-after Northwest Passage became a reality. Since the 1500s, man has sought a practical deep-draft water passage across the top of North America.
MSTS had to develop such a passage as a possible escape route for MSTS ships, which found an ice blockage across their normal route out of the Arctic. Under the direction of Vice Admiral John M. Will, USN, an MSTS task group in 1957 charted such a route at the top of North America’s mainland, through Bellot Strait and its approaches from the westward through Rae, James Ross and Franklin straits.
In nine years, MSTS has succeeded in opening the Arctic to sealift on a previously unheard of scale. Through persistence, patience and sheer daring, MSTS military and civilian crews have “cracked” the Arctic.
Throughout the DEW Line area, “impassable” uncharged, ice-choked backwaters have become well-traveled supply routes. Forbidding shore sites barbed with fast ice and honeycombs of rocks have become mass staging areas for successful over-the-beach operations around the clock.
In 1958, the entire Arctic area in Northern Alaska and Western Canada was assigned as commercial shipping areas. Each year, thanks to the trail blazed by MSTS, commercial shipping is increasing its role in the Arctic resupply operations.
Much of the credit for the success of the Arctic operations can be attributed to the joint cooperation of the military and civilian personnel who combined forces to get the job done. Their skill and courage in overcoming many challenging problems is a tribute to the organizations they represent. This includes the governments of the U.S. and Canada, the Navy, Army, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine and segments of private industry.
The General Nelson M. Walker was first commissioned as the Admiral H.T. Mayo in 1945. The vessel transported troops between Marseilles, France and the U.S. and between Okinawa, Japan and the U.S. In October 1945, the vessel participated in the first of four “Magic Carpet” voyages to Tokyo and Manila carrying replacements for battle-weary veterans whom the vessel was to bring back home. The final voyages were completed in March 1946. It was renamed the General Nelson M. Walker and in 1965 was transferred to the Military Sea Transportation Service. The ship made five cruises from San Francisco to Japan, Okinawa and Vietnam. Following decommissioning and storage, the vessel was transferred to the Maritime Administration in 1970 and laid up in the James River (Va.) berthing area. Just last month, the retired ship left the James River for Brownsville, Texas, where it will be dismantled.
Printer Friendly Page