New Humanitarian Use for Government Ships
The Maritime Administration has signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense’s United States Transportation Command to use National Defense Reserve Fleet ships, particularly DOT’s Ready Reserve Force, to support government response to civil emergencies at home, as well as for defense sealift and humanitarian response overseas. The agreement, signed by Maritime Administrator Sean T. Connaughton and General Norton A. Schwartz, commander of U.S. Transportation Command, formalizes using the ships in ways that have been tested under emergency conditions. During the hurricane season of 2005, RRF ships in , , provided the template for one use of the ships: emergency vehicles were driven on board two RRF ships berthed in…
Merchant Mariners Honored by MSC
Air Force Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, commander, U.S. Transportation Command, and more than 150 guests paid tribute to some of the unsung heroes of national defense – merchant mariners – at Military Sealift Command’s annual National Maritime Day memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony at the . National Maritime Day was established by Congress in 1933 to honor the contributions and sacrifices of merchant mariners in defense of the nation. At the heart of the ceremony was the placing of three wreaths to commemorate the sacrifices that generations of mariners have made in service to the nation. The solemn occasion drew to a close with a 21-gun salute by a seven-person firing party positioned on the waterfront just outside the museum.
Coast Guard Reservists Wish Outgoing Commander ‘Fair Winds and Following Seas’
By Lt. Col. G.P. Mirabella, U.S. In a ceremony rich in nautical tradition, Capt. Deborah A. Dombeck, Coast Guard Reserve, relinquished command of U. S. Transportation Command's Coast Guard Reserve Element to Cmdr. Jeffrey G. Anderson here Dec. "Serving here at USTRANSCOM has truly been an incredible experience," said Dombeck, a resident of Kerrville, Texas. Guests included USTRANSCOM Commander Air Force Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, Navy Vice Adm. Ann E. Rondeau, USTRANSCOM deputy commander, Coast Guard Reserve Rear Adm. John C. Acton, deputy commander for U.S. Coast Guard Mobilization and Reserve Affairs - Atlantic Area, and retired Rear Adm. Thomas J. Hill, Navy Reserve, former commander of USTRANSCOM's Joint Transportation Reserve Unit (JTRU).
USTRANSCOM Hosts Battle of Midway Observance
By Bob Fehringer (contractor), U.S. United States Transportation Command hosted a Battle of Midway observance June 6 to commemorate the World War II confrontation which changed the war’s direction in favor of the United States and the Allies. A musical prelude by the Navy Band, Naval Service Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill., opened the event and was followed by video remarks from Adm. Michael G. Mullen, chief of naval operations. Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, USTRANSCOM commander, and Rear Adm. Mark D. Harnitchek, USTRANSCOM director of strategy, policy, programs, and logistics, also spoke. Vice Adm. Ann E. Rondeau, USTRANSCOM deputy commander and the top Naval officer in the command, was the keynote speaker.
