MSC Awards Crowley Technical Management Contract
Crowley Maritime Corp. informs that its global ship management group will continue the support work it is providing the U.S. Government with a new technical management contract for six Military Sealift Command (MSC) Maritime Prepositioning Ships (MPS).
Crowley will provide full turnkey operation and management of the fleet, including crewing, and scheduled and unscheduled repair and dry-docking. The turnover phase will begin in late September.
“Crowley is honored to have been selected to provide technical management for such an elite government fleet,” said Mike Golonka, Crowley’s vice president, government services. “This contract is a perfect fit for Crowley and would not be possible without the hard work and determination of our remarkable government team and the tremendous support we received from MSC.”
These ships are used to preposition U.S. Marine Corps vehicles, equipment and ammunition throughout the world. Prepositioned ships in each squadron have sufficient equipment, supplies and ammunition to support about 17,000 personnel for 30 days, and are self-sustaining with cranes that enable them to unload their own cargo.
The contract covers five of MSC’s 14 Bobo Class ships – including the MV 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo, MV Pfc. Dewayne T. Williams, MV 1st Lt. Jack Lummus, MC Sgt. William R. Button and MV 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez – and the USNS Gunnery Sgt. Fred W. Stockham.
“Vessels in the Bobo Class are named after recipients of America’s highest military recognition, the Medal of Honor,” said Crowley’s program manager, Sam Ailes. “It’s humbling and rewarding to provide service to this distinguished fleet as it fulfills its military duties. This is yet another critical government program and we realize what a privilege it is to serve it.”
The Bobo Class is named in recognition of USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo, a Vietnam War hero who was killed while saving the lives of his fellow marines during an ambush in 1966. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
