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Cape Decision Brings Polish Combat Cargo Home From Middle East

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060426-17
Release Date: 4/26/2006 6:01:00 PM

From Sealift Logistics Command Europe Public Affairs

NAPLES, Italy (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command (MSC) cargo ship MV Cape Decision (T-AKR 5054) was in Szczecin, Poland, April 19–20, returning combat equipment used by that country’s military forces in Iraq.

The 681-foot roll-on/roll-off ship off-loaded more than 49,000 square feet of cargo belonging to Polish army personnel, including more than 160 trucks, six helicopters, tanks, trailers and more than 100 containers of supplies.

MSC ships have been a familiar sight in this and other Baltic seaports since 2003 when MSC ships began using them to load U.S. and coalition force cargo bound for the Middle East and for use in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

An important partner in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Polish military forces took part in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. At the height of Poland’s engagement in the newly-democratized country, Poland had 2,500 soldiers deployed to the region.

Since 2003, MSC ships have moved nearly 430,000 square feet, or seven-and-a-half football fields' worth, of combat equipment for these troops.

“This is indicative of the enduring relationship the U.S. military has with Poland and our coalition partners in Europe,” said Capt. David K. Wright, commander, Sealift Logistics Command Europe. SEALOGEUR is MSC’s European area command and is responsible for overseeing the movement of U.S. Navy cargo and logistics ships in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations. “It is also a great example of the important role Military Sealift Command plays in the U.S. and coalition forces’ efforts in Iraq.”

Since the beginning of the global war of terrorism and operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom, MSC has moved more than 88,634,187 square feet of combat equipment for troops in theater worldwide. MSC ships have also delivered more than 8,808,380,000 gallons of fuel. That is enough fuel to fill the Empire State Building nearly 32 times.