Another intermodal was planned, staged and successfully completed onboard Naval Station (NAVSTA) Rota, Spain, Nov. 28.

To some it might sound like just another military operation happening on base. But to others who are familiar with the term as more than just a funny word, it means a massive operation done in collaboration with almost all of the installation's departments and tenant commands.

Intermodal, known as a multimodal in the Air Force, simply means to move equipment by more than one form of transportation.

From the outside, intermodal kind of seems like the same thing each time; land some planes, unload some helicopters, tow them to the pier and put them on a ship. Sounds pretty straightforward, but it's a comprehensive operation with many moving parts.

"It's not just airplanes showing up and putting them on the back of a bigger airplane," said Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Lynch, commander of the 725th Air Mobility Squadron (AMS). "It seems pretty routine when the boat arrives here because it's not that difficult for Team Rota to do this. There're a lot of smart people doing a lot of stuff behind the scenes to make it happen."

So what does intermodal really mean? Among many things, it means countless meeting hours, close coordination, early preparation and a lot of manpower.

NAVSTA Rota is often referred to as Team Rota to represent the installation's camaraderie and the need to work together. Intermodal is a perfect example of this because it brings together personnel from across the installation incorporating all of Rota's lines of operations. The main installation players include Security Department, Port Operations Department, Air Operations, and Fire and Emergency Response. Other key commands are Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella (FLCSI) Rota, and the 725th AMS.

NAVSTA Rota conducts multiple intermodals with varying quantities and types of equipment, cargo and personnel in support of numerous units. However, regularly scheduled operations involving Army combat aviation brigades are the largest of the year. More than 550 maintenance crewmembers, 20 supply freights and more than 50 helicopters were transported to forward deployed locations, while a similar amount was transported back to the United States.

"Rota's so logistically capable to handle everything for these ships," said Blaylock. "We have probably three to four times more ship movements than any other FLCS in the area of responsibility. That just tells you how busy Rota is and it's going to be busy like that because we have those capabilities."

The large-scale Army intermodals require the expertise of the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC) Italy Detachment. As a subordinate command to the Army Material Command of the U.S. Transportation Command, they are able to provide Army aviation field and sustainment maintenance services.

"The three branches are involved; Air Force, Navy, Army," said Chief Logistics Specialist Kody Blaylock, leading chief petty officer of NAVSUP FLCSI Rota. "That goes to the core of when we talk about joint force, joint concept. It's working together and learning each other's languages to complete the mission."

Team Rota and affiliates joined together during this intermodal to assist the turnover of Army's 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) deploying to Afghanistan and replacing the 16th CAB.

Senior leaders from the various units held planning meetings months before any operations occurred. They determined the units and locations involved, timeframes for the Air Force to transport the various replacement aircraft, cargo and personnel. NAVSTA Rota's ideal strategic location and facilities means the installation enables timely, fast and cost-effective logistics support to combat units operating down range. In this case, Rota's unique capabilities provided critical support to the Army 3rd and 16th CABs operating in Afghanistan.

"You have the port, the intermodal tow road and the airfield in one secured fence line, including fuel and maintenance capability," said Lynch. "All the functions here make Rota the crowned jewel of intermodal operations. Rota's strategic value to the DoD is extraordinary. I think that's why it's key to build on relationships in Team Rota, Air Force, Army and all the tenants commands here."

An intermodal at such a massive scale involving so many entities introduces the uncertainty, no matter the extensive planning. Flights and ships could arrive later than scheduled or equipment could break down. Unfortunatel,y unexpected obstacles did present themselves during this intermodal involving technical difficulties and conflicting schedules.

Team Rota, however, demonstrated their excellence in overcoming their obstacles and successfully completing their second high volume intermodal of the year.

"Our facilities set the stage for a successful intermodal, but in the end, it is our people who make it all happen," said Cmdr. Charles Morgan, NAVSTA Rota operations officer. "We do this through extensive planning that begins months out from the actual operation. Of course, the cooperation of our Spanish partners, who often provide the pier space for the large intermodal vessels, plays a very important role in our mission accomplishment."

"We have our different lanes of expertise," said Lynch. "The different lanes of understanding and the different roles and responsibilities makes it important to have everyone as a joint team. It's basically a big project management exercise."

Lynch said that, on average, one trip of a large cargo ship could equal about 444 C-17 trips. This not only saves time but also about 2.5 million dollars.

"Air Force assets [are] not only expensive, but they're high demand-low density," said Lynch. "High demand because everyone wants their stuff flown in because they want it right away. Low density because we have a finite number of airplanes. In the end that's not a really good use of resources. With a little bit of planning, you get your stuff just in time and it's way cheaper for DoD and the country."

Naval Station Rota enables and supports operations of U.S. and allied forces and provides quality services in support of the fleet, fighter and family for Commander, Navy Installations Command in Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia (EURAFSWA).

Just as a ship performs lines of operation that provide a capability, Navy Region EURAFSWA bases perform the same eight lines of operation to provide capability to the fleet, joint and allied forces. These eight lines of operation are air operations; port operations; safety; security; housing; Morale, Welfare and Recreation; Fleet and Family Services; and what is called the core: the fuels, water and power that keep the bases running. Through these lines of operation, installations are force multipliers that maximize combat capability of operational units.

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For more news from Naval Station Rota, Spain, visit www.navy.mil/.