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Further Reading

842nd Transportation Battalion

The 842nd Transportation Battalion oversees military transportation operations in the port of New York and New Jersey, and throughout the greater Northeast United States. In addition, it is responsible for the command and control of the Sea Port of Embarkation at Howland Hook Container Terminal, Staten Island, N.Y., where it supports the strategic deployment/redeployment of U.S. Armed Forces in contingency and operations other than war.

The mission of the 842nd Transportation Battalion is to synchronize Defense Transportation System surface cargo movements and provide Traffic Management and Single Port management for the Department of Defense in peace and crisis. Plan, coordinate and accomplish the expeditious and economical movement and documentation of DOD-sponsored cargo through terminals and facilities within assigned area of responsibility. Accomplish the expeditious movement of Household Goods to Contractors' facilities within assigned area of responsibility. Deploy/Redeploy U.S. Forces as assigned by Commander, MTMC DSC. Advise and assist wartraced Reserve Units as assigned by MTMC Commander, DSC. Participate in JCS exercises. Be prepared to deploy military personnel and Emergency-Essential Civilians OCONUS.

The 842nd Transportation Battalion has strong ties to the state of New Jersey, dating back to September 1965, when it was established at the Military Ocean Terminal, Bayonne (MOTBY). The unit operated at MOTBY, deploying units, equipment and supplies headed to and returning from destinations worldwide.

In January 1993, the unit was re-designated as the 1301st Major Port Command. In October 1997, the unit was re-designated as the 600th U.S. Army Transportation Terminal Group.

During Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Desert Farewell, the unit handled over one million measurement tons of cargo, making it the third most utilized port during the entire Gulf War. Forty vessels were loaded in support of Desert Shield, and 28 vessels were unloaded in support of Desert Farewell. More than 25,000 pieces of cargo were deployed in support of Desert Shield and Desert Farewell.

The unit deployed the 10th Mountain Division during Operation Restore Hope in 1992, and Operation Uphold Democracy in 1994. The unit handled over 219,000 measurement tons of cargo combined for the two operations and loaded 17 vessels destined for Somalia and Port Au Prince, Haiti.

In 1999 the unit handled the deployment of two engineer joint task forces to Guatemala in support of Hurricane Mitch Relief Operations, and a two-part deployment of the 10th Mountain Division to Bosnia.

In 2000, the 842nd Transportation Battalion opened the port again for 10th Mountain Division's redeployment in three separate phases. In August 2001 the unit deployed the 29th Infantry Division in support of Operation Joint Forge.

The military transportation units of the Military Traffic Management Command have become more uniform in size and composition. The changes in existing MTMC units are sweeping in scope. The ideas for the changes came from MTMC's commanders themselves. At the same time, the changes reflect reduction in layering and the great use of computer automation. The proposal called for changes in the size and structure of most of the Military Traffic Management Command's 25 transportation unit locations in the United States and around the world. Implementation of the proposal was complete by 30 September 2001. MTMC battalions were reorganized into standard 26-member organizations. The battalion's subordinate company and detachment units were also affected. The MTMC Battalion Evaluation Group selected 26 as an optimum number for a water port concentrating on the core missions of terminal operations and traffic management. The 842nd Transportation Battalion, Fort Monmouth, N.J., converted to a company. The organization dropped in size from 32-to-17. Reductions include one officer and 15 civilians. The new unit commander is a major -- in lieu of a lieutenant colonel. One soldier was added to the organizational structure.