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USNS Algol delivers for U.S. troops in rapid activation
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The fast sealift ship USNS Algol departed Wilmington, N.C., in early February carrying about 66,000 square feet of Marine Corps cargo destined for Afghanistan and more than 50 mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles (MRAPs) destined for Iraq, Military Sealift Command reported in Sealift.
The Algol, operated by Maersk Line Limited and manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers, received activation orders Jan. 23. Four days later, the ship left its layberth in Louisiana and traveled to South Carolina to load the MRAPs, Sealift reported. Following that, the Algol arrived in North Carolina Jan. 31, and in 18 hours loaded 600 pieces of equipment, including vehicles, weapons and containers, Sealift reported. The abbreviated timeline for this sealift operation was due to a change in the deployment orders of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Sealift reported. The Algol shipped the cargo for the 24th MEU to the United Arab Emirates and off-loaded in late February. The rapid delivery ensured the Surface Deployment and Distribution Command would be able to deliver the equipment to the Marines in Afghanistan when they needed it, Sealift reported. From there, the ship continued to a nearby port in the Persian Gulf and delivered the MRAPs, Sealift reported. The USNS Algol is one of eight fast sealift ships operated by Maersk Line Limited for the Maritime Administration and manned in all licensed positions by AMO. The other seven ships are the USNS Altair, USNS Antares, USNS Bellatrix, USNS Capella, USNS Denebola, USNS Pollux and USNS Regulus. |
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