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MSC Europe Gets New Name

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060331-01
Release Date: 3/31/2006 11:30:00 AM

From Sealift Logistics Command Europe Public Affairs

NAPLES, Italy (NNS) -- Military Sealift Command (MSC) Europe, the European theatre's chief ocean transportation and combat logistics provider, was officially disestablished and renamed Sealift Logistics Command Europe (SEALOGEUR) during a ceremony at the command's headquarters in Naples, Italy, March 31.

This new name reflects the changes SEALOGEUR has undergone in the past 18 months as a part of Military Sealift Command's global transformation efforts. MSC is SEALOGEUR's parent command and is responsible for moving 95 percent of all U.S. military cargo used around the globe as well as providing food, fuel, ammunition and supplies to the U.S. Navy fleet at-sea.

Under transformation, SEALOGEUR has streamlined its structure and operation, transferring a number of functions to MSC headquarters and the newly formed Ship Support Unit Naples, or SSU Naples. As a result, non-core billets have been eliminated from SEALOGEUR, trimming a nearly 60 person staff to a third of its size.

"Our primary mission - husbanding strategic sealift in support of U.S. Transportation Command - is unchanged," said Capt. David K. Wright, commander, SEALOGEUR and Commander, Task Force 63. "Our organizational structure has been aligned with larger MSC transformation initiatives and in consonance with goals established by Commander, Naval Forces Europe and Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet."

A number of SEALOGEUR's former staff members have transferred to SSU Naples, including the unit's director, Louis Smith.

"SSU Naples will report to Military Sealift Fleet Support Command, or MSFSC," said Smith. "MSFSC is a subordinate command to MSC responsible for crewing, equipping and maintaining MSC government-owned and government-operated ships worldwide."

SSU Naples will serve as MSFSC's representative in the European theatre, providing maintenance and repair support to MSC ships operating in the area of responsibility.

Though the command has a new name, SEALOGEUR has a long history behind it.

During World War II, U.S. military maritime transportation was directed by four separate government agencies. In 1949, this work was consolidated under one manager - Military Sea Transportation Service. Two years later, an arm of MSTS, Military Sea Transportation Service Europe, was set up in Bremerhaven, Germany. The command was renamed MSC Europe in 1970 and, from 1985 to 1997, was located in London. Since 1997, the command has been headquartered in Naples, Italy.

In 2005 alone, MSC Europe oversaw the loading and discharging of more than 2 million square feet of combat cargo in 16 ports throughout Europe. As for fuel, MSC tankers and combat logistics ships moved more than 330 million gallons within the European theatre last year.

SEALOGEUR will continue this tradition of service established by its predecessors.

"We are committed to our customers," said Capt. Wright. "Whether they are fighting the global war on terrorism, performing maritime security operations or providing humanitarian relief, we are here to make sure the troops on the ground and the Navy fleet at sea have all the tools they need to complete the mission at hand."