The Prepositioning Program's Combat Prepositioning Force Project operates prepositioned vessels around the world for the United States Army. Currently, 13 ships provide quick-response delivery of Army equipment for ground forces from strategic locations in the world's oceans.

The Combat Prepositioning Force includes five large, medium speed, roll-on/roll-off (LMSR) vessels sited in the Arabian Gulf. Four of these vessels contain combat equipment, while the fifth is loaded with support/sustainment vehicles and cargo. Over the next two years, three more LMSRs will join the Combat Prepositioning Force. Each of these ships has been named for an Army Medal of Honor recipient.

SS Green Harbour, SS Green Valley and MV Jeb Stuart are Lighter Aboard Ship (LASH) vessels stationed at the British Indian Ocean Territory of Diego Garcia. The LASH is a barge-carrying vessel that can offload its barges while anchored offshore, thereby freeing up a deepwater pier for use by other ships. The three LASH vessels carry the vast majority of the Army's afloat-prepositioned ammunition.

MV American Cormorant, MV Strong Virginian and SS Gopher State are the three ships containing the Army's Port Opening Package. With the tugboats, floating crane and various types of lighters stowed aboard these three ships, the Army is able to offload the remainder of its vessels at unimproved beaches or ports possessing little or no infrastructure. The American Cormorant is a Float-On/Float-Off vessel, possessing the ability to sink itself low enough in the water to allow lighters to float on to or off of its deck. The Strong Virginian is a Heavy Lift ship, possessing an 800-ton capacity boom that can accommodate extremely heavy and out-size cargo. The Gopher State is an Auxiliary Crane Ship outfitted with four 30-ton cranes. These cranes are offset to its starboard side to enable it to tie up to and assist in the offload of other container ships.

MV SP5 Eric G. Gibson and MV LTC Calvin P. Titus are two RO-RO/container ships currently under contract to MSC to support the Army's Prepositioning Program. Both are named after Army Medal of Honor recipients. They carry sustainment cargo, including rations, lubricants, medical supplies, repair parts and chemical defense equipment. Both are prepositioned in Guam. They will be replaced in the summer of 1999 with two other RO-RO/container ships.

With its close, professional working relationship with both vessel operators and the operational chain of command, the Combat Prepositioning Force Project meets the Army's need for ships that can sail within hours of notification; ships that perform as a credible deterrent force; ships that are capable of providing combat equipment and sustainment supplies worldwide on time, every time.