The commanding officer of the U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) recently reiterated his strong support for the U.S. Merchant Marine and the U.S. Maritime Security Program (MSP).
Appearing March 15 before the House Armed Services Committee’s Readiness Subcommittee, Gen. Darren McDew made it clear his command depends on civilian mariners and American-flag ships to deliver the goods for our troops. The MSP is an indispensable component of maintaining that capability, he said.
During hearing, chaired by U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Virginia), Gen. McDew stated, “The nation is still a maritime nation…. I can deliver an immediate force anywhere on the planet tonight. But to deliver a decisive force it takes a fully-fledged, competent maritime fleet. And that’s what the MSP provides us.”
Gen. McDew described the privately operated, U.S.-flag international fleet as “vital to moving military goods and hardware.”
Turning to the subject of American crews, the general stated, “Without mariners we don’t have a capability.”
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