NWS Charleston Completes Successful Onload of Prepositioning Ship

CHARLESTON, S.C. (NNS) -- Prepositioning ship USNS Soderman (T-AKR 317) received more than 2,000 pieces of equipment over a ten-day period aboard Naval Weapons Station (NWS) Charleston Sept. 7 through Sept. 17.

The onload included ammunition, humvees, armored vehicles, generators and ambulances that will be available for military uses.

Prepositioning ships support all military branches, as well as the Defense Logistics Agency, to ensure rapid availability of equipment during times of crisis.

"We all have been preparing for this mission for about two months," said Lt. Cmdr. Brian Mowery, deputy commander, 841st Army Transportation Battalion. "Loading the Army Prepositioning Stock equipment onto the Large, Medium-Speed Roll-on/Roll-off vessel, USNS Soderman, is one of the largest operations that we deal with here at the weapons station."

NWS Charleston crew members worked alongside the 841st Army Transportation Battalion, Army Strategic Logistics Activity Charleston (ASLAC), Military Sealift Command and various contracting partners.

"Teamwork is essential for this type of operation. We understand that the mission is important and we have to get the ship loaded and out on time. Everyone really came together to make this happen," said Commander, 841st Army Transportation Battalion, Lt. Col. Ines White. "Without one piece of the puzzle we could not complete the whole picture."

Prepositioning ships allow the military the capability to receive needed equipment in a timely manner in order to respond quickly to any emergency. They provide quick movement of military gear between operating areas without relying on other nation's modes of transportation.

"It is critical that we do not have to rely on the infrastructure support of other nations to deliver the equipment to our troops," said Mowery.

After the onload, Soderman will set sail and anchor in the Western Pacific, where the ship will stay for more than two years, rotating the crew every four months.

"So far everything has gone according to plan—we are right on track and moving along quite smoothly," said Soderman's captain, Chris Spain.

Once the ship's two and half year tour is completed, it will return to port where the equipment onboard will receive maintenance and/or upgrades, or be replaced with completely different gear before returning to sea. The equipment has a life cycle that may need to be repaired from rust or any damage before it can be used.

There are currently more than 25 prepositioning ships distributed among the branches of the military, strategically placed around the world.

"We are right on schedule and I am really pleased with all that hard work that is going into this operation," said ASLAC general manager Bob O'Brien. "I don't think we could have been as successful as we are right now if it wasn't for all the teamwork we have."

For more news from Naval Weapons Station Charleston, visit www.navy.mil/local/nwscharleston/.