U.S. merchant mariners have always been ready where it matters, when it matters. Today they continue that proud tradition by operating forward in support of our Navy’s warfighters. National Maritime Day is May 22 and this week, we’re celebrating the thousands of civilian mariners who support our freedom as part of YOUR Navy’s Military Sealift Command. These men and women are vital to our readiness, truly making our Navy ready wherever and whenever called upon.
“The MLP ship class fills a critical role by enabling U.S. forces to be delivered safely and effectively around the world using mobile, sea-based strategies in areas where secure harbor facilities ashore are not readily available. By remaining at sea as floating, logistics support bases, these ships enhance the independence of U.S. forces to operate near global hot-spots without entering their ports.” – Tim McCully, deputy commander, Military Sealift Command Pacific
The Navy’s first-ever mobile landing platform, USNS Montford Point, was delivered in San Diego, Calif., May 14 and is expected to be operational in fiscal year 2015. The MLP class belongs to MSC’s Maritime Prepositioning Ship Force as a mobile sea-base option that provides our Navy fleet with a critical access infrastructure supporting the flexible deployment of forces and supplies. Contract mariners under charter to MSC will operate and navigate the MLP ships on behalf of the Navy and Marine Corps.
Photo courtesy of Ken Wright, General Dynamics NASSCO
