Military Sealift Command Office, Guam
The primary mission of the Military Sealift Command is to provide sea transportation of equipment, supplies and ammunition to sustain US forces worldwide, during peacetime and in war, for as long as operational requirements dictate. From a small office command in 1962, to coordinating and loading thousands of tons of ammunition and supplies for the Vietnam War, and with critical involvement in the most massive sealift effort in history during the Persian Gulf War buildup, Military Sealift Command Office (MSCO) Guam has contributed to the operational readiness of the US Navy in the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans. The Military Sealift Command Office, Guam is staffed by 17 U.S. Navy and civil service personnel. Military tours are two-year accompanied. The immediate superior in command is Commander, Military Sealift Command Far East, Yokohama, Japan.
Through close to four decades of service, Military Sealift Command's presence on Guam has under undergone many changes. In February 1962, the Military Sealift Command Office, Guam opened under the command of Lt. Cmdr. Charles Roe, operating as a subordinate command of Military Sealift Command, Far East based in Yokohama, Japan. Through the years, Military Sealift Command Office, Guam's influence continued to grow in the western Pacific area. In 1986, the command assumed logistical support responsibility for Military Prepositioning Ships Squadron THREE (MPS-3).
In 1992, with the closure of U.S. Navy assets in Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines and the subsequent disestablishment of Military Sealift Command Southeast Asia, Military Sealift Command Western Pacific was established at the location of the existing Military Sealift Command Office, Guam. The new, larger command was initially commanded by Capt. J.L. Londot, a 41-year U.S. Navy veteran. In addition to the command's local responsibilities, it also assumed immediate superior in command responsibilities for Military Sealift Command Detachment Singapore and Military Sealift Command Unit Diego Garcia. This resulted in Military Sealift Command Western Pacific control of the complete western Pacific and Indian Ocean areas of responsibility for Military Sealift Command support.
With the change in the world political climate following the end of the Cold War, Military Sealift Command's presence on Guam was again affected. As part of the overall downsizing of U.S. Navy assets on Guam and in conjunction with a worldwide Military Sealift Command restructure, the decision was made in 1996 to commence preparations for closure of Military Sealift Command Western Pacific. In 1997, upon further review of the strategic significance of Guam for the U.S. Navy, the command was re-established as Military Sealift Command Office, Guam. In August 1997, Cmdr. Bruce C. Browne became the command's 20th commanding officer.
From a small office command in 1962, to coordinating and loading thousands of tons of ammunition and supplies for the Vietnam War, and with critical involvement in the most massive sealift effort in history during the Persian Gulf War buildup, Military Sealift Command Office, Guam has constantly contributed to the operational readiness of the U.S. Navy in the western Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Although Military Sealift Command representation on Guam has undergone many significant changes, the missions of providing administrative, material and logistic support to Military Sealift Command vessels remain the same. In early 1998, Military Sealift Command Office, Guam's capabilities and mission were expanded with the assignment of a second port engineer and the establishment of a contracting department. These enhancements have enabled the Military Sealift Command Office, Guam to play a major role in Military Sealift Command ship engineering and maintenance support in conjunction with the Guam Shipyard. Located at the site of the former U.S. Navy Ship Repair Facility, Guam Shipyard is a private company that was established in October 1997.
As of 2000 there were four Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force [NFAF] ships that routinely operated out of Guam: the Stores Ships USNS NIAGARA FALLS (T-AFS 3), USNS SAN JOSE (T-AFS 7) and USNS SPICA (T-AFS 9), and the Ammunition Ship USNS KILAUEA (T-AE 26). Less frequently seen at Apra, but still officially based in Guam, was the Fleet Tug USNS NARRAGANSETT (T-ATF 167). A key component of MSCO Guam's mission is to provide administrative, material and logistic support for these ships.
As of 2002 there were five Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force [NFAF] ships that were permanently forward deployed to Guam [though officially homeported in San Diego]: the Stores Ships USNS NIAGARA FALLS (T-AFS 3), USNS CONCORD (T-AFS 5) and USNS SAN JOSE (T-AFS 7), and the Ammunition Ships USNS FLINT (T-AE 32) and USNS KISKA (T-AE 35). A key component of MSCO Guam's mission is to provide administrative, material and logistic support for these ships. Half of the active Military Sealift Command T-AFS and T-AE fleet is based in Guam.
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