Pennsylvania Gov. Mark Schweiker today accepted the formal orders from the Department of Defense designating the Port of Philadelphia as a Strategic Military Seaport. "This designation is yet another historic moment for Pennsylvania and the Port of Philadelphia," Gov. Schweiker said. "The port has played a vital role in our nation's security since the days of the Revolutionary War, and it will do so again as America faces new challenges in a post-Sept. The designation was made by the Military Traffic Management Command (MTMC) and the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD). Strategic Military Seaports are designated to support major force deployments during the times of national security needs under one or more national defense contingency plans.