24th Transportation Battalion (TML)
The 24th Transportation Battalion (Terminal) has the mission to command and control units performing air, sea, rail and highway terminal and multi-modal transportation operations. Soldiers in the 24th Transportation Battalion, known for worldwide service, have deployed to support terminal service and ship-to-shore missions in Honduras, Columbia, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Panama, Cuba, Haiti and Somalia. This battalion has the flexibility to tailor the numbers and types of mission requirements around the world. The battalion also performs missions at ports and depots throughout the United States in support of contingency operations. "Service is Our Product" is the motto of the 24th Transportation Battalion.
The 24th Battalion, is one of three Terminal battalions under 7th Group, and is structured largely along the lines of 10th Battalion; that is to say with both a Port and Maritime operations capability. It commands the third of the Group's LSV's (LSV-1), a Floating Craft company (the 8th) and a Heavy Boat Company (the 329th Transportation Company (Heavy Watercraft)). It also commands the Group's only Medium Boat Company (the 1098th) operating LCM-8's. Finally, on the Port Operations side, the Battalion commands a Cargo Transfer Company (the 567th), a Port Operations Crane Detachment (the 169th Transportation Detachment (Heavy Crane)) and an Automated Cargo Documentation detachment (the 491st). Additionally while operating independently in peacetime the 160th Contract Supervision Detachment provides vital contracting support on operations/exercises.
There are a total of 6 LSV's in the Army's inventory, of which 5 are in the Active Component. Of these, 3 are operated by the LSV Detachments under the 7th Group, including the 335th Transportation Detachment (Logistic Support Vessel). With a range of 6,500 nautical miles fully loaded, these vessels provide the Group with a genuine 'blue water' capability, although with a planning speed of 10-12 knots do not represent a realistic strategic capability. However, with a cargo capability of up to 24 M1A1's, this vessel does provide the Combatant Commander with a significant alternative option for moving combat power forward either by coastal or inland main supply routes.
The Heavy Boat Company's workhorse is the Landing Craft Utility (LCU-2000). This vessel has the same range as its 'big brother', the LSV. However, and while it does have a 'blue water' capability, it is very much more weather-dependent, and is therefore used more for coastal and riverine operations. The LCU is employed for the movement of containers and general or vehicular cargo and is suitable for unit deployment and relocation. It has a bow ramp for roll-on/roll-off cargo, and a bow thruster to assist in beaching and beach extraction. Because of its shallow draft, the LCU-2000 can carry cargo from deep draft ships to shore ports or areas too shallow for larger ships and, as such, offers the Group a significant In-Stream Discharge and Logistics over the Shore operational capability.
The 1098th Transportation Company (Medium Watercraft) Medium Boat Company operates 14 x LCM-8s (Landing Craft Mechanized), a small utility vessel which has a relatively limited cargo capacity. It can be used for moving personnel (up to 200), general cargo (up to two ISO containers) and vehicles and is particularly effective in riverine operations, in harbors and confined areas, and in shallow coastal and beach areas.
The 8th Transportation Company (Floating Craft) Floating Craft company comprise a number of types of vessels including BD cranes, fuel barges, and the Large Tug. The LT-128 is used for towing World-wide. Secondary functions include general utility uses, firefighting, and salvage operations. It may also be used for coastal and limited ocean towing between terminals. The LT-100 can be loaded onto a float-on/float-off vessel or self deploy a maximum distance of just over 3000 nautical miles without refueling. The 7th Group has a total of 10 tugs deployed between the 2 Floating Craft companies with a new series of tug due in service shortly to replace the smallest of the tugs, the 65 footer.
The Cargo Transfer Company [CTC] is a recent addition to the group and it's new mission has broadened the capabilities of the Company to encompass rail and truck terminals in addition to its previous role at Points of debarkation only. Companies comprise four platoons each and are capable of operating four nodes/terminals simultaneously.
The three Automated Cargo Documentation [ACD] Detachments enable the 7th Group to perform cargo documentation functions throughout the reception, staging and onward movement process, feeding information which allows the maneuver commander to track his equipment as he builds combat power. The ACD's, operating the Worldwide Port System (WPS) and combining the use of RF Tags and hand-held scanners are responsible for recording the discharge and throughput of vehicles and supplies as they arrive in the theater of operations thereby providing asset visibility at the 'operational' level; a vital link in what should be a seamless, worldwide Total Asset Visibility capability.
The 24th Battalion distinctive unit insignia was approved on 22 April 1966, consisting of a gold pilot's wheel of eight spokes with a brick red rim, within the rim in saltire two parallel gold diagonal lines surmounted by a black wavy diagonal band; all above a gold scroll interlaced with the five lower handles of the wheel, and inscribed "SERVICE IS OUR PRODUCT" in black letters. The pilot's wheel refers to the Battalion's mission of providing command staff direction to attached units. The lines allude to terminal service facilities for loading and unloading and for the transshipment of cargo and personnel. The wavy diagonal band is from the arms of the Rhineland. It refers to the participation of the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment of the Battalion in the Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns.
The 24th Transportation Battalion was constituted 1 May 1936 in the Regular Army as the 1st Battalion, 24th Quartermaster Regiment. Activated 10 March 1942 at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Redesignated 1 April 1942 as the 1st Battalion, 24th Quartermaster Truck Regiment. Battalion broken up 1 February 1944 and its elements reorganized and redesignated as follows: Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 24th Quartermaster Battalion, Mobile; (Companies A, B, C, and D as the 3361st, 3362d, 3363d, and 3364th Quartermaster Truck Companies, respectively--hereafter separate lineages). Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 24th Quartermaster Battalion, Mobile, inactivated 24 May 1946 in France. Converted and redesignated 1 August 1946 as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 24th Transportation Corps Truck Battalion. Redesignated 19 February 1948 as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 24th Transportation Truck Battalion. Activated 20 March 1948 in Germany. Reorganized and redesignated 2 December 1949 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 24th Transportation Truck Battalion. Reorganized and redesignated 1 April 1953 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 24th Transportation Battalion. Inactivated 25 December 1957 in Germany. Redesignated 1 June 1965 as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 24th Transportation Battalion. Activated 24 June 1965 at Fort Eustis, Virginia. Redesignated 17 July 1972 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 24th Transportation Battalion.
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