ilitary Sealift Command reports through three distinct and separate chains of command:

• To the Commander of U.S. Transportation Command for defense transportation matters,
• To the Chief of Naval Operations for Navy-unique matters, and
• To the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition for procurement policy and oversight matters.

Area Commands

During FY 2005, MSC operations included five area commands, each headed by a U.S. Navy captain. The five area commanders were focal points for MSC customers in their respective areas and were the personal representatives of MSC’s commander. Area commands are the MSC commander’s direct links to MSC ships, providing maintenance, logistics and port services.

• Sealift Logistics Command Atlantic
• Sealift Logistics Command Pacific
• Military Sealift Command Europe
• Military Sealift Command Central
• Military Sealift Command Far East

Programs and Directorates

MSC operated four business programs in FY 2005:

• Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force
• Special Mission
• Prepositioning
• Sealift

Functional directorates provided specialized support services to the business programs and the MSC commander:

• Maritime Forces and Manpower Management (N1)
• Counsel (N2)
• Operations and Plans (N3/5)
• Logistics (N4)
• Command, Control, Communications and Computer Systems (N6)
• Engineering (N7)
• Comptroller (N8)
• Strategic Planning (N9)
• Contracts and Business Management (N10)

Reserve Programs

MSC had access to nearly 1,200 U.S. Navy Reserve personnel to support worldwide shipping operations in FY 2005. The reservists were organized into four unit types:

• Expeditionary port units provided logistics support as needed in seaports around the world.
• Headquarters units provided watch-standers for MSC’s 24/7 crisis action team and global command center.
• Cargo afloat rig teams were qualified to operate at-sea cargo replenishment rigs on combat logistics force ships.
• Merchant Marine reservists supported the activation of MSC ships and U.S. Maritime Administration Ready Reserve Force ships ordinarily held in reduced operating status. These reservists also participated in anti-terrorist/force protection training.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, MSC has mobilized 413 reservists, nearly 35 percent of its reserve force, to support operations in the global war on terrorism.

U.S. Navy reservists from Sealift Logistics Command Atlantic were assigned to seven cargo afloat rig teams to help breathe new life into MSC oiler USNS Joshua T. Humphreys, which was reactivated after being out of service for eight years. Left to right: John San Souci, Cmdr. James Andreano, BM1 Blaine Stettler, OS3 Robert Balk, CS3 Tracy Brown, EM1 Kevin Pirring, BM1 Eliot Johnson, SK1 P.O. Garcia, ABHC Santo Lobuono, Lt. j.g. Luke Blessinger, SK3 Jim Adamiak, BMCS Ted Bouthiller, GM2 James Staats, BMC Pablo Veloz, DCC Tom Wilson, and BM2 A.J. Brown. Photo by Bill Cook.