Military Sealift Command, Europe (COMSCEUR)
MSC Sealift provides ocean transportation of Department of Defense and other US Government cargo. The day-to-day activities of Commander, Military Sealift Command, Europe, focus heavily on Sealift issues in support of the Defense Transportation System and are similar to those of a commercial shipping company. Sealift assets are provided to support major operational commanders in the European theater and adjacent areas of responsibility (AOR) such as COMSIXTHFLT, CINCLANTFLT, and CINCCENT in the Persian Gulf area. On a normal day, over twenty ships in the AOR can be directed, monitored, and repaired under COMSCEUR control. From containerized cargo, ammunition, and petroleum products, to Army and Marine Corps armor and helicopters, MSC moves the "Bullets, Beans, and Black Oil in support of military forces deployed in the AOR.
Commander, Military Sealift Command, Europe (COMSCEUR), supports Naval Fleet Auxiliary Ships, which support combat ships with underway replenishment of fuel and supplies; operates Special Mission Ships that perform oceanographic and coastal surveys, and other unique naval operations; operates Prepositioning Ships, strategically-located ships laden with military equipment and supplies, and charters and operates Sealift Ships, fleet tankers and dry cargo ships, which move cargo for the Department of Defense, and other US Government agencies. MSCEUR operates about 15 ships a day throughout the US European Command area of responsibility. COMSCEUR's new headquarters is a state-of-the-art command and control facility at NSA Capodichino, Naples, Italy.
Commander, Military Sealift Command, Europe is responsible for the following within its AOR:
- Provide effective and economical sea transportation for Department of Defense (DoD) cargoes and personnel and for other government agencies when authorized.
- Provide strategic sealift in support of national security objectives.
- Direct fleet support through the Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force.
- Support ships assigned to special missions.
COMSCEUR's peacetime organization consists of COMSCEUR Headquarters and staff at Naples, Italy, one Sub-Area Command located at Bahrain, and contributory support at our two MSC offices, London (Eastcote), England and Rotterdam, The Netherlands. In peacetime, COMSCBUR employs approximately 95 civilian, military, and local National personnel at activities throughout the theater. Upon mobilization, COMSCEUR undergoes a major transition as the MSC shipping base is increased. COMSCEUR's shore establishment expands dramatically with more than 300 Selected Reservists who man additional offices to support the increased force.
COMSCEUR’s peacetime AOR includes coastal and land mass areas of Western Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia, and ocean areas of the Baltic Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, Black Sea, and Arabian Gulf. This AOR is modified during a contingency as required.
