Cape Decision brings home combat cargo

By Gillian Brigham
SEALOGEUR Public Affairs

Roll-on/roll-off ship Cape Decision sits pierside in Szczecin, Poland, April 19, carrying cargo used by Polish military forces in the Middle East. Seth Burmaster photo

The U.S. Maritime Administration's cargo ship MV Cape Decision was in Szczecin, Poland, April 19-20, returning combat equipment used by the country's military forces in Iraq.

MARAD ships, normally kept in reduced operating status, come under MSC's operational control when they are activated.

The 681-foot roll-on/roll-off ship off-loaded more than 49,000 square feet of cargo belonging to Polish army personnel, including more than 160 trucks, six helicopters, tanks, trailers and more than 100 containers of supplies.

MSC-operated ships have been a familiar site in this and other Baltic seaports since 2003 when MSC began using them to load U.S. and coalition force cargo bound for the Middle East and for use in Operation Iraqi Freedom. An important partner in OIF, Polish military forces took part in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. At the height of Poland's engagement in the newly democratized country, Poland had 2,500 soldiers deployed to the region. Since 2003, MSC ships have moved nearly 430,000 square feet, or 7 1/2 football fields, of combat equipment for these troops.

"This is indicative of the enduring relationship the U.S. military has with Poland and our coalition partners in Europe," said Capt. David K. Wright, USN, commander of Sealift Logistics Command Europe. "It is also a great example of the important role Military Sealift Command plays in the U.S. and coalition forces' efforts in Iraq."

Since the beginning of the global war of terrorism, MSC has moved more than 88 million square feet of combat equipment for troops in theater worldwide. MSC ships have also delivered more than 8.8 billion gallons of fuel.