SDDC ALMANAC 2009

translog

THE JOURNAL OF SURFACE 

DEPLOYMENT AND DISTRIBUTION

Spring 2009 
2 translog SDDC Almanac

TRANSLOG is published by the Office of Command Affairs, 

Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, 

Headquarters, 709 Ward Drive, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois 

62225, in accordance with Army Regulation 360-1.

All photos property U.S. Army, unless otherwise noted.

Views expressed in TRANSLOG are not necessarily those of 

the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Army, or the Military Surface Deployment 

and Distribution Command. Reference to commercial products or services does not imply Army endorsement. Unless 

otherwise stated, TRANSLOG material may be reprinted if 

credit is given to TRANSLOG and the author.

Submissions: TRANSLOG considers all manuscripts, photo essays, artwork, white papers and general news about military 

transportation, its history, and related human endeavors. 

Material, including photos, may be mailed or sent electronically. Scanned and digital images should be in full-color TIFF 

or JPEG format, at resolution of 300 pixels per inch at 100 

percent size (at least 3” x 4”; preferably larger).

For additional guidance on submissions, content, distribution, 

or address changes contact the editor: 

Mike W. Petersen, Editor

(618) 220-5197

sddc.safb.translog@us.army.mil

translog

THE JOURNAL OF SURFACE 

DEPLOYMENT AND DISTRIBUTION

is a quarterly publication of

Military Surface Deployment 

and Distribution Command 

Maj. Gen. James L. Hodge

Commanding General

Command Sgt. Maj. Tomás Hawkins

Command Sergeant Major

Ken Holder, Director of Command Affairs

Mike W. Petersen, Editor

Cover and graphics by Todd Young

contents 

SDDC ALMANAC

Spring 2009

From the Editor 3

History: Following the Changing Numbers 4

Commanding General’s introduction 7 

SDDC: Meeting the Challenges of Change 8

Deployment Support Command 13

Transportation Engineering Agency 16

595th Transportation Terminal Group 20

831st DDSB 24

840th DDSB 26

1184th DDSB 28

1186th TTB/1181st DDSB 30

596th Transportation Terminal Group 

(Ammunition) (Provisional) 34

834th Transportation Terminal Battalion 38

597th Transportation Terminal Group 40

832nd Transportation Battalion 44

833rd Transportation Battalion 46

841st Transportation Battalion 48

842nd Transportation Battalion 50

598th Transportation Group 52

838th Transportation Battalion 56

839th Transportation Battalion 58

599th Transportation Group 60

835th Transportation Battalion 64

836th Transportation Battalion 66

837th Transportation Battalion 68

From the Command Sergeant Major 70

SDDC
3 translog Spring 2009

At her promotion ceremony in Birmingham, Ala., newly-promoted Brig. Gen. Janet Cobb receives a 

congratulatory hug from Maj. Gen. Maynard “Sandy” Sanders, Department of the Army Deputy G-4 

for Reserve Component Integration. Cobb is the commanding general of the Army Reserve Deployment 

Support Command. Looking on are Maj. Gen. Harry J. Philips, Jr., commanding general, 377th Theater 

Sustainment Command; Maj. Gen. James Hodge, commanding general, SDDC; Chaplain (Maj.) Samuel 

C. Horton; and DSC Command Sgt. Maj. Maryeva Beesley. 

DSC commanding general promoted

From the Editor

Welcome to the first annual SDDC Almanac. We have set aside our usual format of news and 

features for this special issue detailing our command and its people around the world. 

Most of the entries are divided into four topics:

Mission and Area of Responsibilty: What the unit does and where.

Commander’s Vision: The direction and goals of each unit as interpreted by its leadership.

Features: Unique capabilities, challenges and other factors that shape the unit.

Recent Missions and Accomplishments: These entries reflect only a portion of the missions and accomplishments our servicemembers, civilians and commercial partners take on around 

the world. These are intended as a sampling and not a full accounting. Most units accomplish far too 

much in a year to publish a comprehensive list. 

This publication stands as evidence of the collaboration at work everyday in SDDC: I extend my 

profound thanks to the representatives in the field who worked tirelessly to contribute to this effort. 

Mike W. Petersen

Editor
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40 years ago

“The Secretary of Defense has approved the 

Army’s nomination of Maj. Gen. Clarence J. Lang 

to be commander, Military Traffic Management 

and Terminal Service. Lang ... will replace Maj. 

Gen. John J. Lane upon his retirement April 1. ”

Transportation Proceedings, February-March 1969

30 years ago

“In only two years, the Transportation Corps 

Museum has become the most visited attraction 

on Virginia’s peninsula, east of Busch Gardens. 

Almost 350,000 people have visited since its new 

building was dedicated.”

Newsreview, TRANSLOG, March 1979

from the archives

By Dr. Kent Beck 

SDDC Command Historian

SDDC Almanac

Two SDDC Transportation Groups gained 

new official status in 2008. For one Group, 

the change came with new responsibilities. 

The de facto Ammunition Terminal Group 

(Provisional) at Southport, N.C., became the 596th 

Transportation Terminal Group (Ammunition) 

(Provisional) June 15 as the result of an Army Materiel Command order two days earlier. The 596th 

gained authority over the 834th Transportation 

Battalion, at Concord, Calif., its sister ammunition 

terminal on the West Coast.

The 595th TTG (Provisional) officially became 

the 595th TTG, a full-fledged continuing (Table of 

Distribution and Allowance) unit October 1. While 

not a matter of enlarged mission, the 595th attained 

official recognition that it had a continuing mission 

in Southwest Asia. This organizational adjustment 

reflected the personnel transition that took place 

May 6, when Col. Stanley H. Wolosz, II, and the 

foundation of a continuing staff took the reins of 

the 595th from Col. Susan A. Davidson and her 

temporary-duty contingent from the 599th Transportation Group, from Wheeler Army Airfield, 

Hawaii.

The reemergence of the 595th and 596th, and 

the new relationship for the 834th, were the latest 

in a recurring series of realignments since Military 

Traffic Management Command (MTMC) adopted 

the current set of numerical unit designations on 

Oct. 1, 1997. 

Change rather than continuity has been the 

consistent – if not constant – norm. In fact, only 

two MTMC or SDDC Groups, the 598th Transportation Group, Rotterdam, the Netherlands and the 

599th, had the same unit assignment and location 

in October 2008 that they held 11 years earlier. 

Half of the 12 transportation battalions in place 

Oct. 1, 1997, were still there with the same designation 11 years later. 

What became of the 595th, 596th, and the 

834th before they reached their recent milestones? 

Why have they have been relocated or inactivated 

and activated again over the years as circumstances 

evolved? 

After the 1995 Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommendations resulted in 

the impending closure of the Eastern and Western 

Area Commands, the 600th Transportation Group 

moved from Bayonne to Fort Monmouth, N.J., 

in late 1997, and the 596th Transportation Group 

moved from Oakland to Concord, California. 

The 596th TTG moved to Beaumont, Texas, 

and the 834th Transportation Battalion flag went 

from Beaumont to Concord June 1, 1998. The 

596th then was placed over the 832nd Transportation Battalion (recently moved from Panama to 

Puerto Rico), the 833rd in Washington, and the 

834th at Concord. 

In the summer of 1999, the 595th Transportation Group at Charleston was redesignated the 

841st Transportation Battalion, since the support of 

U.S. Southern Command had been placed on the 

832nd Transportation Battalion under the 596th . 

A month later, the 600th Transportation Group was 

Following the Changing Numbers: 

SDDC and MTMC Unit Designations 1997-2008
5 translog

20 years ago

1st Lt. Calvin D. Bailey detailed the pilot effort to 

use Roll on/Roll off vessels to move helicopters 

from Bayonne, N.J., to Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in an article titled “Rolling helicopter move 

signals new approach.”

TRANSLOG, April 1989

10 years ago

“Beginning this summer, freight-shipment solicitations by Department of Defense sites will appear on 

the Worldwide Web ... The current freight-management system operates on DOS-based technology.”

“In Brief,” TRANSLOG, Issue 2, 1999

Spring 2009

redesignated the 842nd Transportation Battalion to reflect its diminished role, since both the 841st and 

842nd were placed under the 597th 

at Southport, N.C. 

Two years later, on Sept. 20, 

2001, the 596th Transportation 

Group was inactivated at Beaumont 

and replaced by the 842nd Transportation Battalion. This move followed 

the inactivation of the 956th Transportation Company, Anchorage, 

Alaska, and the transfer of the 956th 

to Fort Monmouth, which meant 

the lowering of the 842nd banner in 

New Jersey on Aug. 24, 2001 prior 

to its transfer to Beaumont. 

Serious issues of cost, efficiency, 

and military effectiveness lay behind 

these alterations. Before the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, under the leadership 

of Maj. Gen. Kenneth Privratsky, MTMC was 

making a further effort to standardize groups and 

battalions and consolidate support operations at 

SDDC headquarters at Alexandria and Fort Eustis, 

Va., to save money. 

As a result, the 597th took charge of all 

MTMC battalions in the continental United States. 

The 832nd moved from Puerto Rico to Jacksonville, Fla., in 2003-2004. By 2004, a different 

dynamic began to prevail. Supporting Operations 

Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, as well as 

the expanded “end-to-end” distribution mission 

after September 2003, created the need to relieve 

the 598th Transportation Group of its demanding 

“additional duty” of managing rotations of troops 

and equipment to and from Southwest Asia. By 

October 2004, the Army had approved the de facto 

establishment of 595th Transportation Group (Provisional) in Kuwait which became official as of 

Oct. 1, 2005. In January 2005, the 840th Transportation Battalion relocated from Turkey to Iraq.

Likewise, the demands of sustaining two wars 

and the importance of giving a definite priority to 

movements of ammunition led Maj. Gen. Charles 

W. Fletcher, Jr., to decide in July 2005 to relocate the 597th to Fort Eustis and create a separate 

Ammunition Terminal Group (Provisional) at 

Southport. His successor, Maj. Gen. Kathleen M. 

Gainey, proposed placing the 834th under the de 

facto Group at Military Ocean Terminal, Sunnypoint, North Carolina (MOTSU). When AMC 

endorsed her proposal pending a further review, 

the 596th was reactivated as a provisional unit until AMC and the Department of the Army ruled on 

the change. If the example of the 595th holds true 

for the 596th, the move from provisional to a fully 

established unit will not happen swiftly, but SDDC 

will push ahead in the interim. 

SDDC soldiers during the 595th Transportation Group change of command May 6, 2008.
MG John J. Lane 1965 - 1969

MG Harold I. Small 1983 - 1986

MG Richard G. Larson 1991 - 1994

MG Ann E. Dunwoody 2002 - 2004

MG Clarence J. Lang 1969 - 1973

MG Edward Honor 1986 - 1987

LTG Roger G. Thompson Jr. 1994 - 1996

MG Charles W. Fletcher Jr. 2004 - 2006

MG H. R. Del Mar 1973 - 1979

MG John H. Stanford 1987 - 1989

MG Mario F. Montero Jr. 1996 - 1999

MG Kathleen M. Gainey 2006 - 2008

LTG John D. Bruen 1979 - 1983

MG John R. Piatak 1989 - 1991

MG Kenneth L. Privratsky 1999 - 2002

MG James L. Hodge

2008 - Present 

SDDC COMMANDING GENERALS
7 translog Spring 2009

When Military Surface Deployment and 

Distribution Command first unfurled its new 

colors and name in 2004, the change meant 

more than a new acronym for the Army. It 

reflected a command that had both the experience to carry out the vital missions of 

surface transportation and logistics, as well as 

the flexibility to meet the needs of a rapidly 

changing, 21st century military. 

SDDC supports the warfighter and the 

nation in virtually every mission that touches 

the ground. We deploy, sustain, and redeploy 

our forces, move the household goods for 

their families, train and support contingency 

operations for active and reserve soldiers, provide transportation engineering for 

the armed services and work relentlessly for our military and our nation. Our 

team members display their continuing dedication and diligence and have deployed worldwide to support missions across the full spectrum of operations. 

When deployment and distribution is at its best, it goes unnoticed. As Adm. 

Mike Mullen, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff recently told the transporters of SDDC and USTRANSCOM, “What you do is like oxygen. We all 

need it, and we don’t think about it until we don’t have it.” 

It is an honor for me to be able to highlight the servicemembers, civilians 

and organizations that are the lifeblood of the U.S. military’s operations around 

the world. These are the Global Surface Transportation Experts of SDDC. Committed, Dependable, Relentless!

from the Commanding General

James L. Hodge

MG, USA

Commanding
8 translog SDDC Almanac

As a major subordinate command of the 

Army Materiel Command, the Military 

Surface Deployment and Distribution 

Command has the mission statement to “Provide global surface deployment and distribution 

services to meet the nation’s objectives.” In accomplishing that mission, SDDC also serves as 

the Army Service Component Command of the 

U.S. Transportation Command, a joint combatant 

command responsible for the air, sea, and surface 

capability to move DOD assets worldwide.

SDDC’s roots are traced back to the establishment of the Army’s Office of the Chief of 

Transportation in July 1942. In May of 1956, 

the Secretary of Defense designated the 

Secretary of the Army as the single manager 

for military traffic within the United States, 

setting SDDC’s original mandate.

Today, the command’s vision statement 

calls for providing “tailored and agile capability and sustainment solutions that meet the 

warfighters’ requirements,” through the following core competencies: deliver capability 

and sustainment on time; provide world-class 

third-party logistics services; provide 100 

percent in-transit visibility and total asset visibility; provide global asset management; and 

provide deployment engineering.

Strategic Plan

When then Brig. Gen. James L. Hodge assumed command of SDDC on June 30, 2008, 

he took charge of an organization that is following a 2007 Strategic Plan, which incorporates the organization’s mission, vision and core 

competencies noted above. That Strategic Plan 

is designed to chart the goals, objectives, and 

strategies that will guide SDDC activities over 

the next five years. Moreover, the plan will assist 

SDDC in balancing the needs of its stakeholders 

and strategic partners with its capabilities and 

resources to ensure mutual success.

In an opening statement to the new plan, 

SDDC’s commander at the time, Maj. Gen. 

Kathleen M. Gainey, noted, “Our plan, which 

addresses our vision and mission, is a critical 

document. To ensure the path we chart is clear 

Military Surface Deployment 

and Distribution Command

Meeting the challenges of change

Reprinted with permission from U.S. Army Materiel Command: The Army’s Premier Provider 

of Materiel Readiness, 2008-2009 Edition, published by Faircount Media Group.

By Scott R. Gourley

Faircount Media Group

596th Transportation Group (Ammunition) 

(Provisional) uses two ship-to-shore container cranes 

as the primary means to load and unload munitions 

aboard sealift ships at the Military Ocean Terminal 

Sunny Point, N.C.
translog 9 Spring 2009

to everyone, internally and externally, it concentrates on the key issues that we, as a command, 

must tackle in facing the challenges ahead. We 

also address our new relationship with the U.S. 

Army Materiel Command and our continuing 

relationship with the U.S. Transportation Command. We will use this plan to balance the needs 

of our stakeholders and strategic partners with 

our capabilities and resources to ensure mutual 

success.”

SDDC’s 2007 Strategic Plan refocused the 

command’s efforts from traffic management to 

global surface deployment and distribution. The 

new plan reflects SDDC’s continuing support to 

both the Global War on Terrorism and its role in 

the maintenance of the nation’s homeland security.

According to the plan, that continuing support requires “striv[ing] for agility and improvement of our processes to support the warfighter. 

We also address our alignment with AMC in addition to our support of USTRANSCOM, ensuring that our efforts support and complement the 

core mission at higher levels.”

Another challenge highlighted in the new 

plan involves physical changes mandated by 

Base Realignment and Closure process, with 

the plan noting, “We are carefully planning and 

accomplishing each aspect of Base Realignment 

and Closure-related change to ensure that transition to the new location is seamless and communication of institutional knowledge to new 

personnel is fluent. This plan will help us make 

the transition as smooth and painless as possible, 

ensuring that our continued high-level of support 

to the warfighter and family members makes the 

move transparent to them.”

The plan then goes on to outline strategic 

goals and objectives from stakeholders’ – both 

customers and strategic partners – perspective, 

internal process perspective, learning and growth 

perspective, and resource perspective. Identification of the goals and objectives reflected in each 

of these arenas then leads to an SDDC mission 

map and strategy implementation. 

Some of the supporting implementation 

efforts are already taking place. Specifically, in 

addition to highlighting the significance of the 

Strategic Plan, SDDC planners point to several 

emerging programs and organizational milestones to highlight the scope of activities taking 

place within the command.

Deployment Support Command

As an example, the planners are quick to 

spotlight the early February 2008 stand-up ceremonies, in Birmingham, Ala., for the U.S. Army 

Reserve Deployment Support Command (DSC).

According to planners involved with the 

development of the DSC, the new Army Reserve command helps support SDDC’s ongoing 

transformation “to meet the expeditionary and 

campaign quality capability requirements for the 

future.”

The genesis for the DSC can be found in 

an Oct. 7, 2005, memorandum from then USTRANSCOM Commander Gen. Norton A. 

Schwartz to Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. 

Richard Cody. In that memo, Schwartz reportedSoldiers with 757th Transportation Battalion 

(Rail), a subordinate unit of Deployment Support 

Command, take part in rail training. Photo 

courtesy Lt. Col. Karen Conley.
10 translog SDDC Almanac

ly defined an objective for “... Establishment of 

a Functional Readiness Command within SDDC 

to perform training and readiness oversight of all 

surface mobility forces ...” SDDC was tasked 

to develop a concept plan for the organization, 

with Headquarters, Department of the Army 

subsequently approving the SDDC concept plan 

to establish the DSC and battalion/group reorganization effective March 2008.

According to SDDC descriptions, “The 

DSC will be a U.S. Army Reserve functional 

and operationally capable unit designed to meet 

[USTRANSCOM commander’s] Functional 

Readiness Command requirement. It will be 

a command and control and technical training 

readiness command, stationed in Birmingham, 

Ala., with operational control to SDDC and administrative control to the 377th Theater Sustainment Command. The mission of the DSC will be 

to command, control, and technically supervise 

SDDC aligned Army Reserve units performing 

terminal, rail, and deployment/distribution support missions and functions, and provide technical training and readiness oversight to all Army 

units performing terminal, rail, deployment/distribution support, movement control, and watercraft missions and functions.”

The DSC eliminates many of the perceived 

capability gaps that have been identified during 

field exercises and deployments over the past 

several years. These gaps have included a lack of 

ITV/TAV equipment and associated training, a 

lack of knowledge or expertise in Transportation 

Coordinator-Automated Information for Movements System (known as TC-AIMS) and other 

movement management systems, and lack of 

knowledge of the strategic transportation system 

and associated supporting software.

Strategic Business Office

Another recent SDDC organizational milestone occurred on June 1, 2008, with the establishment of a Strategic Business Office (G9 

directorate). The G9 directorate is a diversified 

strategic and business office and will be responsible for a full range of transportation services, 

policy and business oversight. It will complement the streamlining efforts within SDDC while 

offering a focused transportation conduit for industry and related services to SDDC customers. 

Noting that the reorganization is “expected 

to be transparent,” the new office announcement added, “The G9 directorate derives from 

the SDDC Operations Center (G3 directorate). 

Creating two directorates will provide improved 

flexibility, dynamic tailored customer service, 

more focused business structures and an improved communication environment for both 

customers and partners.”

Convergence

In terms of organizational infrastructure, 

early April 2008 witnessed an official ground 

breaking ceremony at Scott Air Force Base, 

Ill., for a new building that will house the 

USTRANSCOM Operations Center, serve as 

headquarters for SDDC, and provide additional 

defense support services.

Staff Sgt. Jay Jones, 840th Deployment and Distribution Support Battalion, captured this image of the 

Redeployment Equipment Staging Yard at FOB Marez, Iraq, during a redeployment mission.
translog 11 Spring 2009

SDDC will occupy the third floor of 

the 180,000-square-foot consolidated USTRANSCOM/SDDC/Defense Intelligence Agency building, which is scheduled for completion 

by end of 2010. SDDC is currently housed in 

a temporary building at Scott AFB since officially relocating its headquarters Aug. 14, 2007, 

from Alexandria, Va. SDDC began relocating in 

August 2006 in accordance with the 2005 Base 

Realignment and Closure Commission’s recommendations. The phased relocation of the SDDC 

Operations Center will be completed once construction is finished.

An example of ongoing SDDC programmatic activities can be found in the Integrated Data 

Environment/Global Transportation Network 

Convergence effort.

Designed to provide a state-of-the-art capability to perform reporting and decision support, 

USTRANSCOM representatives believe the IGC 

program will create an environment where logistics and distribution data and information are 

accessible from a single place, leveraging work 

already being done under the scope of existing 

programs by the Defense Logistics Agency, USTRANSCOM, and the Defense Information Systems Agency. In addition, convergence is seen as 

a way to enable other programs to develop more 

effective solutions faster and at less cost because 

they will only have to come to one place 

to get data.

Reiterating several key points in a 

recent command briefing, SDDC planners 

noted that IGC: “Enables more programs 

to develop new and more accurate capabilities earlier; retires the legacy GTN 

system; exposes GTN data as standard 

services; enhances capability to interoperate earlier; redirects investment into objective systems earlier; and migrates other 

duplicative operational data stores.”

Defense Personal Property 

Program (DP3)

Another ongoing effort that is providing a significant source of pride for many 

SDDC personnel involved is the Defense 

Personal Property Program (formerly 

Families First). Designed to improve the 

597th Transportation Group moves equipment from 

the USNS Mendonca to the rail spur at the port of 

Jacksonville.

The 836th Transportation Battalion loads a 

HMMWV for the Marines at Iwakuni Marine 

Corps Air Station for Cobra Gold 2008.
12 translog SDDC Almanac

shipment of Department of Defense employees’ 

household goods, the program is built on the 

results of four DOD personal property pilots that 

had been designed to explore options for improving those goods.

USTRANSCOM evaluated the pilot efforts 

and provided three key recommendations to the 

Secretary of Defense in June 2002: improve 

Transportation Service Provider performance 

through performance-based acquisition; streamline the claims and liability process; and implement an integrated information management 

system.

The commander of USTRANSCOM directed 

the SDDC to develop and implement a program 

to incorporate the recommendations with SDDC 

by partnering with USTRANSCOM, the individual military services, and the commercial moving industry to develop the contract requirements 

and business rules for the Defense Personal 

Property Program. 

The initiative provides full replacement value 

reimbursement for damaged or lost property; 

online claims filing and direct claims settlement 

between member/DOD employee and TSP; and 

best value acquisition of transportation services 

by awarding shipments to TSPs based on best 

value rankings. Best value score will be based 

on a combination of the TSP rate filing, TSP 

performance as determined through customer 

feedback, and claims settlement performance. 

This ensures the best value TSPs receive the 

majority of shipments. The initiative also features electronic Web-based customer satisfaction surveys to provide customer feedback; an 

integrated information management system for 

household good processes; electronic billing and 

payment through U.S. Bank’s PowerTrack system; improved communication between member/

employees, the TSP, and the military personal 

property office; and a Web-based entitlements 

counseling option.

Returning to the “Strategy Implementation” 

processes identified in SDDC’s new Strategic 

Plan, it’s clear to see how these representative 

activities and organizational changes support 

many key tenets of the command’s transformation efforts. It is also clear to see that the command’s efforts are dynamic and capable of rapid 

change to meet the rapidly changing needs of its 

stakeholders. 

“SDDC senior leadership has a strong commitment to maintaining accountability and 

transforming the Command. We understand 

that strategic management is an integrated and 

iterative process. We know that an organization’s strategy must evolve as circumstances in 

the external and internal environments change. 

SDDC continues to meet the challenges of adapting to its expanded role in the DOD distribution process. As the command moves forward, 

challenges still remain. SDDC will continue 

to examine the relevance of its objectives, the 

validity of its measures, and the effectiveness of 

its initiatives. It must do so in the context of an 

uncertain world. With strong leadership commitment, SDDC will meet these challenges and 

move forward to maintain a dynamic and worldclass organization.”

839th Transportation Battalion marine cargo 

specialist Riccardo Scotto overseas a transload 

operation in support of West Africa Training 

Cruise 2008.
translog 13 Spring 2009

The United States Army Reserve Deployment Support Command is the newest Operational and Functional command born 

of Army Transformation. The one-star command 

consolidates all Army Reserve surface mobility 

units under a single organization. Headquartered 

in Birmingham, Ala., the DSC was established in 

March 2008, and gained operational control of 53 

Army Reserve units in October 2008.

The mission of DSC is to provide command, 

control, and technical supervision of all Military 

Surface Deployment and Distribution aligned 

Army Reserve units performing terminal, rail, 

deployment and distribution support missions 

and functions. The DSC mission and organizational structure will ultimately include providing 

technical training and readiness oversight to all 

Army units performing terminal, rail, deployment and distribution support, movement control, and watercraft missions and functions. 

Commanded by Brig. Gen. Janet L. Cobb, 

the DSC is a direct-reporting command of the 

377th Theater Sustainment Command in New 

Orleans, La., and has a close operational relationship with SDDC headquarters.

The DSC headquarters staff includes Command Sgt. Maj. Maryeva Beesley, senior 

noncommissioned officer, and more than 120 

reserve officers, NCOs, soldiers and civilians. 

The command has a total strength of more than 

2,700 soldiers assigned to subordinate units 

located across 23 states. 

In addition to a standard staff structure, the 

DSC G7 section is organized to include several 

deployable Mobile Training Teams for specialized mobility related, SDDC-centric training. The 

DSC down trace is comprised of four Transportation Groups, comprised of 12 Deployment & 

Distribution Support Battalions, and the Army’s 

sole rail battalion.

Deployment

Support DSC Command

Spc. Joseph Harston, Pfc. Matthew Muentes and Sgt. Dahlia Granger, 1181st Transportation Group, 

checking vehicles on the pier in Kuwait.
14 translog SDDC Almanac

1179th Transportation Group

The 1179th Transportation Group, commanded by Col. Edward Casazza, and supported 

by Command Sgt. Maj. Levi Maynard, is located 

at Fort Hamilton, N.Y. The Group is comprised 

of five units with more than 300 soldiers in five 

states. The 1179th is the executive agent for the 

Battle Command Staff Training Exercise planned 

in conjunction with the 75th Training Brigade for 

DSC units. The 1179th redeployed from theater 

in early 2009. The unit performed its annual 

training with the 597th Transportation Group 

March 14-28 at Fort Carson, Colo., and Fort 

Irwin, Calif., March 28 - April 5.

1189th Transportation Group

The 1189th Transportation Group is commanded by Col. James Messer, and supported by 

Command Sgt. Maj. William Allen, is located 

in North Charleston, S.C. The Group consists of 

20 units and more than 800 soldiers in six states. 

Since October 2008, the 1189th has been the 

Executive Agent for the TRANS-MARINER Exercise. The 1189th supported the Global War on 

Terrorism with the November 2008 deployment 

of the 1398th DDSB to conduct port operations 

with the 595th Transportation Group. The group 

successfully redeployed the 1186th DDSB in February. The 1189th is scheduled to perform annual 

training at Port Arthur, Texas with SDDC’s 842nd 

Terminal Battalion during March and April. 

1190th Transportation Group

The 1190th Transportation Group, commanded by Col. Walter Weaver, and supported 

by Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph Roberson, is 

located in Baton Rouge, La. The group consists 

of 13 units and more than 600 soldiers in seven 

states. Since October 2008, the 1190th has been 

the Executive agent for the TRANSLOTS exercise. In December 2008 the group deployed the 

1181st DDSB and the 614th Automated Cargo 

Detachment to conduct port operations for 595th 

Transportation Group in Kuwait. The 1190th 

will perform its annual training mission during 

Spring 2009 at Fort Hood, Texas in support of 

597th Transportation Group. 

1394th Transportation Group

The 1394th Transportation Group, commanded by Col. Marvin Polk, and supported by 

Command Sgt. Maj. Albert Montano, is located 

at Camp Pendleton, Calif. The group has 10 units 

and more than 300 Soldiers in two states. The 

1394th is the Executive Agent for both the Golden Mariner and Alaskan Mariner exercises. The 

group deployed the 1397th DDSB in February to 

conduct port operations in support of the 595th 

Transportation Group. The 1394th performed 

their annual training with the 597th Transportation Group at Fort Bliss, Texas.

Sgt. Kenya Singleton and 

DSC civilian contractors 

check a Bradley fighting 

vehicle
15 translog Spring 2009

Soldiers with the 757th Transportation Battalion (Rail) during a training exercise in 2008. The 757th is 

scheduled for force structure reduction actions this year. Photo courtesy Lt. Col. Karen Conley. 

757th Transportation Battalion (Rail)

The 757th Transportation Battalion (Rail) is a 

direct-reporting Battalion to the DSC. The 757th is 

commanded by Lt. Col. Vincent Barker, and supported 

by Command Sgt. Maj. Peter Knerler, is located in 

Milwaukee, Wis. The Battalion consists of five units 

with more than 500 soldiers in four states. Since October 2008, the 757th has employed teams of soldiers 

at multiple CONUS installations supporting SDDC’s 

596th Transportation Group with a wide variety of rail 

operations. The 757th is scheduled for force structure 

reduction actions during this fiscal year.

Since activation in early 2008, the DSC has made significant progress in staffing the organization, 

aligning training requirements and supporting SDDC missions. There have also been major strides 

taken to ensure that leadership at all levels is fully engaged in day-to-day operations. 

In November 2008, in conjunction with the SDDC Commander’s conference, the DSC conducted 

its first-annual Commander’s Conference at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. This was followed with a Senior 

Leader’s Training Workshop, an inaugural Civilian Military Technician Workshop, and the first-annual 

G4 Logistics Workshop. The DSC held its first Yearly Training Briefing to coincide with SDDC’s annual Training Symposium, and is in the process of scheduling its first annual G3 workshop for early 

summer. 

As a visible and lasting part of Army Transformation Program, the DSC strives to develop stronger training and operational ties between the Active and Reserve Component transporters. A seamless 

integration of critical deployment and distribution skills sets between Active and Reserve Component 

partners will provide the superior support needed for both present and future warfighters.
16 translog SDDC Almanac

Transportation 

Engineering TEA Agency

Mission

The mission of TEA is to improve the global 

deployability and sustainment of U.S. armed 

forces by providing the Department of Defense 

with transportation engineering, policy guidance, 

research, and analytical expertise to support the 

National Military Strategy.

Director’s Vision

As the premier Department of Defense 

deployment engineering and analysis center, 

TEA employs state-of-the-art computational and 

analytical tools as well as the most advanced 

information system technologies to satisfy the 

warfighter’s total force projection needs. 

Today’s National Military Strategy is built 

on the military’s ability to rapidly deploy, project 

and sustain armed forces anywhere in the world. 

These force projection goals are constantly 

evolving and becoming ever more demanding. 

TEA supports these requirements with timely 

and accurate deployment and surface distribution-related analyses and transportation engineering solutions.

TEA’s highly motivated team includes civil, 

mechanical and computer engineers, operations 

research analysts, transportation specialists, 

computer specialists, engineering and computer 

technicians, and a diverse and highly skilled support staff. Customer satisfaction is the number 

one priority. 

TEA also serves as the surface component 

of the U.S. Transportation Command Joint 

Distribution Process Analysis Center, providing 

analytical capability and engineering support to 

USTRANSCOM, its components, and the Joint 

Deployment and Distribution Enterprise community.

TEA plays a key role in ensuring that U.S. 

military forces can respond successfully to any 

requirement anywhere in the world.

Organizational Structure

TEA is divided into three divisions: Deployability Division, the Office of Special Assistant 

for Transportation Engineering (SATE), and the 

Systems Integration Division.

Deployability Division

The Deployability Division provides transportation engineering, research and analytical 

expertise to improve the deployability of U.S. 

Armed Forces. 

The Division evaluates the transportability 

characteristics of military materiel to ensure 

equipment moves safely and efficiently by current or future transportation assets. The Division 

conducts transportation engineering analyses of 

multi-modal nodes and networks that support 

Transportation

Engineering

Agency

Transportability 

and Deployability

Transportability is the inherent capability 

of an item to be moved efficiently by towing, self-propulsion, or carrier, using existing 

equipment or equipment that is planned for 

the movement of the item via rail, highway, 

water and air. To meet this capability, TEA 

takes full consideration of available and 

projected transportation assets, mobility plans 

and schedules, and the impact of system 

equipment and support items on the strategic 

mobility of operating military forces.

Deployability is the capability of an entire 

force (personnel and cargo) to be moved 

intra-CONUS, inter-theater (strategically), 

and intra-theater (tactically) to support a military operation.

Mr. Michael K. Williams - Director
17 translog Spring 2009

power projection. 

The Division also assesses 

force deployability with complete, 

time-phased, origin-to-destination 

analysis of force closure. These assessments consider limitations and 

capabilities of the Defense Transportation System, transportability 

of individual equipment items and 

CONUS and OCONUS infrastructure. The Deployability Division 

helps shape the military by using 

sophisticated modeling, simulation, 

engineering, and analysis, to provide deployability solutions.

Deployability Analysis

Deployability Analysis supports 

Combatant Commanders by using 

sophisticated modeling and simulation tools to 

assess transportation plans, including throughput, usage for nodes and routes, theater lift assets 

required and used, potential bottlenecks, constraints, and Reception, Staging, Onward movement and Integration. 

DPA assists deployment planners in development and refinement of the Time Phased Force 

Deployment Data during deliberate planning, 

crisis action planning and exercises. DPA has 

dedicated teams that support each of the major 

warfighting Combatant Commanders.

Deployability Engineering

Deployability Engineering is an SDDC core 

competency. It provides transportation engineering and deployability analysis to maximize DOD 

force projection capabilities. The key processes 

of Deployability Engineering are Transportability Engineering, Force Modernization, Deployability Analysis and Transportation Infrastructure 

Engineering.

Transportability Engineering

At the very foundation of force deployability 

is equipment transportability. Transportability 

Engineers work closely with requirements writers and equipment developers, including defense 

contractors, program managers and other government organizations throughout the acquisition 

life cycle, to influence the design of systems in 

favor of efficient transportability. 

TEA evaluates every aspect of an item’s 

transportability characteristics, including: 

weight, dimensions, lifting and tie-down provisions, interface with required transportation 

assets and infrastructure, and structural integrity. This mission is accomplished through both 

advanced virtual simulations and live testing. 

These efforts ensure that equipment design facilitates rapid force deployment.

Force Modernization

The Force Modernization Team focuses 

on the design and concepts for employment of 

current and future transportation assets that will 

deploy our military equipment and forces. To 

maximize the military utility of these assets, 

The Force Modernization team is involved from 

concept development, to fabrication, to recapitalization. 

This integrated involvement involves recommending deck strengths and layouts for the large, 

medium speed roll on roll off ships, evaluating 

deployment scenarios of the Interim Brigade 

Combat Teams, and providing deployability 

expertise to the developers of the Future Combat 

System. The Force Modernization team’s efforts 

continue to optimize systems for rapid deployment.

Office of the SATE and Programs for 

National Defense

The Office of the SATE traces its roots back 

to July 1955, the Chief of Staff of Logistics 

directed the Chief of Transportation to provide 

Tiedowns on the rear of a Bradley are checked for publication 

compliance during a rail shipment.
18 translog SDDC Almanac

technical assistance to the services and military 

installations. The Chief of Transportation established the SATE to provide consultation services 

to Army installations worldwide and coordinate 

all activities relating to transportation efficiency 

and safety.

The SATE staff advises the SATE and commander, SDDC, on transportation engineering 

policy matters. SATE also manages and executes the DOD Highways, Railroads, and Ports 

for National Defense Programs, and develops 

defense transportation engineering policy in 

concert with USTRANSCOM and the Office of 

the Secretary of Defense.

Highways for National Defense

The HND Program identifies the minimum 

public highway infrastructure that DOD needs 

to fulfill its mission; then integrates the public 

highway needs into civil policies, plans, and programs. HND also ensures the defense readiness 

capability of public highway infrastructure and 

establishes policy on how DOD uses the public 

highway system. 

The SATE works with the military services, 

Major Commands, installations, ports, U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Federal Highway Administration, the American Association 

of State Highway and Transportation Officials, 

state transportation departments, and Congress to 

accomplish these goals.

DOD’s public highway needs are 

identified in the Strategic Highway 

Network. STRAHNET is a system of 

about 61,000 miles of highways, including the Interstate System. An additional 

2,000 miles of STRAHNET Connectors 

link important military installations and 

ports. Together, STRAHNET and the 

Connectors define the total minimum 

public highway network necessary to 

support Defense deployment needs.

In addition, HND establishes policy 

and guidance on how the DOD uses the 

public highway system, assisting the 

military in highway movement problems, working to ensure highway safety, 

and helping guarantee the highways’ 

readiness condition for deployment.

Railroads for National Defense

The RND Program ensures the readiness capability of the national railroad network 

to support defense deployment and peacetime 

needs. The Program integrates defense rail needs 

into civil-sector planning, affecting the nation’s 

railroad system. 

The RND Program, in conjunction with the 

US Federal Railroad Administration, established 

the Strategic Rail Corridor Network to ensure 

DOD’s minimum rail needs are identified and 

coordinated with appropriate transportation 

authorities. STRACNET is an interconnected and 

continuous rail line network consisting of over 

38,000 miles of track serving over 170 defense 

installations. 

RND works with state DOTs, the American 

Association of Railroads, the Surface Transportation Board, the American Railway Engineering 

and Maintenance of Way Association, the Railway Industrial Clearance Association, the FRA, 

and individual railroad companies to protect this 

railroad infrastructure.

Ports for National Defense

The PND Program’s primary goal is to ensure 

the identification, adequacy, and responsiveness 

of defense-important CONUS port infrastructure. 

Team members accomplish this by visiting ports, 

analyzing strategic planning documents, providing input into the deliberate planning process, 

coordinating workload requirements with ComAn M1113 being towed off the 

aft ramp of an MSC vessel.
19 translog Spring 2009

batant Commanders and SDDC, and working 

with governmental agencies such as the Maritime 

Administration.

Infrastructure

TEA conducts transportation engineering 

analysis of CONUS and OCONUS seaports, 

selected Army installations, airports, airfields, 

and the highway and rail networks that support 

Power Projection Platforms. Much of the work 

of the Transportation Infrastructure contributes to 

the Highways, Ports and Railroads for National 

Defense Programs.

Joint Infrastructure Working Group 

The JIWG is a working group of the Power 

Projection Council of Colonels. Their mission is 

to analyze joint infrastructure required to support deployment of legacy, interim and objective 

Army forces. The JIWG reviews existing infrastructure at Army Power Projection Platforms and 

associated Airports of Embarkation, and makes 

estimates of additional deployment infrastructure 

needed to support an Interim Brigade Combat 

Team.

The Intelligent Road/Rail Information Server

IRRIS retrieves data about U.S. highways, 

bridges, traffic, military installations, and seaports. It accesses multiple military databases at 

once including strategic seaports, installations, 

National Bridge Inventory, National Railway 

Network and National Highway Planning Network.

IRRIS tracks items like road characteristics, 

bridge locations, video logs of primary routes, 

feature attribute data, and aerial photo and satellite imagery. The system also provides real 

time travel information about traffic congestion, 

weather, road closures, and construction detours. 

Intermodal Systems

The Intermodal Systems Program at TEA 

influences deployment doctrine, planning, and 

available deployment infrastructure. We give 

input to both the Army and the Joint community 

on transportation doctrine to create new ways of 

doing business. The Intermodal Systems Program also contributes to special projects related 

to intermodal deployment with analytical and 

engineering support.

Systems Integration

Systems Integration Division is responsible 

for supporting the TEA’s Global Defense Transportation Engineering efforts by developing and 

managing deployment, distribution and transportation modeling, simulation and analysis tools; 

managing acquisition and distribution of authoritative transportation data; and managing TEA’s 

Information Technology infrastructure data. 

The Division develops and manages tools to 

support Deployability Engineering and Analysis. 

These state-of-the-art tools model the interaction 

of the infrastructure and transports systems with 

the transportability characteristics of the force. 

They include tools for analyzing movement 

requirements, CONUS and theater networks, and 

seaports.

Systems Integration also performs data acquisition and analysis in support of TEA and external customers. The team works with Air Mobility 

Command, SDDC G-6 and Chief Information 

Officer, to manage and administer TEA’s IT infrastructure including local and wide-area networks, 

workstations, servers, deployable equipment, 

websites and communications.

A Stryker being crane lifted off the weather 

deck during TEA’s transportability engineering 

visit to Blount Island.
20 translog SDDC Almanac

Mission and Area of Responsibility

The 595th Transportation Terminal Group supports U.S. military and coalition forces with 

end-to-end surface deployment and distribution from the port to the foxhole.

The 595th area of responsibility covers twenty-three countries and eighty-two seaports 

within the U.S. Central Command operational area, with a military presence at seven of these 

seaports. 

The 595th mission is to provide surface deployment command, control, and distribution 

operations to meet national security objectives in the USCENTCOM and eastern portions of 

the USAFRICOM areas of responsibility. The 595th vision is a team of experts that combines 

organic, commercial, and host nation capabilities, offering maximum options to supported forces 

while delivering personnel, equipment, and sustainment on time and every time.

Commander’s Vision

As Col. Stanley Wolosz, commander of the 595th TTG, states, “From the mountaintops of 

Afghanistan, to the forward operating bases of Iraq; from Shuaiba Port to Camp Patriot, Bahrain, Qatar and Pakistan; from Shuwaikh Port to Camp Arifjan - the 595th exemplifies SDDC’s 

theme: a global team of surface transportation experts - committed, dependable and relentless!”

595 Transportation Terminal Group

th

The MV Virginian arrives at the port of Messaieed in Qatar
21 translog Spring 2009

With the direction of Col. Wolosz and Command 

Sgt. Maj. Lavon Christen, the officers, noncommissioned officers and enlisted soldiers of the 595th 

handle 63 percent of the Global Surface Defense 

Transportation System cargo including all sustainment and unit shipments supporting Operations 

Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. 

As the Single Port Manager for seaports in the 

AOR, the 595th accomplishes its mission supporting deployment and redeployment of unit cargo, 

assisting the warfighter with Deployment and Distribution Support Teams, supporting the ARCENT and 

Marine Corps Class VII Retrograde Program. 595th also 

performs transload operations at Shuwaikh Port, Kuwait, 

operates a distribution hub at Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, 

provides container management in the AOR, contract management, 

in-transit visibility, and supports the Army Materiel Command retrograde and Army 

Reset Initiative programs.

Features of the 595th

The 595th TTG manages Army DDSBs, Container Management Elements, Deployment Support Teams, and U. S. Coast Guard Redeployment Assistance and Inspection Detachments. The 595th is the OEF theater support lead, providing water 

terminal port operations, transloading operations, and container management and 

commercial distribution. The 595th is also the OIF theater support lead in providing 

redeployment support, container management, and commercial distribution. 

The Group provides documentation support to all deploying and redeploying 

units, coordinates unit movement requirements, creates and refines TC-AIMS/RFID/

in-transit visibility enablers. They provide oversight and container policy implementation for CENTCOM, and manage the centralized database for visibility of containers 

and estimated detention. The 595th also manages the port command team for Kuwait, 

providing joint reception, staging, and coordination for onward movement. The Group 

also handles the reception of new production, and manages the retrograde of munitions 

and Class VII reset.

For future operations, the 595th will continue OIF and OEF deployments and 

redeployments, expanding the Port of Umm Qasr, Iraq, operations, expanding Iraq’s 

Ground Lines of Communication with Jordan and Turkey, and providing enhanced 

ITV on the Pakistan GLOC. Other initiatives include Foreign Military Sales cargo 

movement, expanded use of Jordan and Turkey, expanded use of the Iraqi Transportation Network, and expansion of the Global Freight Management system that supports 

inland truck distribution. The 595th has established the aforementioned enduring systems and has cemented the 595th TTG as a permanent organization in the USCENTCOM theater. The ongoing goal is to provide effective, economical and comprehensive 

surface transportation solutions to the theater logisticians and ultimately, the warfighter.
22 translog SDDC Almanac

Recent Missions and Accomplishments

In support of the OIF Flow Force, the 595th TTG and subordinate units successfully loaded 

and discharged 61 vessels, amounting to 6,148,468 square feet of cargo (41,338 pieces), and 

conducted three Ammunition Support missions dedicated to the resupply and retrograde of theater 

ammunition. The AS-36 mission in October was the largest re-supply/retrograde in four years. In 

addition to major vessel operations, the unit has completed 49 Army Watercraft small boat missions moving 984 pieces of cargo.

In support of the OEF Flow Force, the 595th successfully loaded and discharged 25,230 pieces 

of break-bulk cargo and 75,800 containers and flat-racks. The group also facilitated the movement 

of 14,910 pieces of military cargo through ports in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait and 

Iraq. The majority of this cargo, approximately 13,575 pieces, moved through the Port of Fujairah, 

UAE or the Port of Umm Said, Qatar. 

There were large-scale OEF military deployments and redeployments for the 101st Airborne 

Division (Air Assault), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, and the 

3rd Bde. and 10th Mountain Division. In addition to oversight of military cargo arriving via commercial vessels, 595th dispatched DSTs to specific ports in the AOR to manage port operations for 

military owned and operated vessels.

The 595th TTG expanded the capacity of Ground Lines of Communication for movements 

through Iraq, Kuwait, and Jordan with the Ports of Aqaba, Jordan and Umm Qasr, Iraq. The group 

reduced military manpower requirements by establishing a Stevedoring and Related Terminal Services contract at Aqaba and a Third Party Logistics contract at Umm Qasr to expand port services 

Containers are loaded via crane during night load-out operations
23 translog Spring 2009

and increase import and export volume and capabilities. 

The 595th saved money by successfully transloading 9,000 commercial containers into government containers for direct shipment to the warfighter, with estimated government savings for detention charges of approximately $5 million. 

By implementing the Theater Consolidated Shipping Point Bypass Initiative, and successfully eliminating the TCSP on Camp Arifjan, they facilitated the efficient and effective movement 

of 1,800 pieces of cargo directly to the warfighter and saving more than $8 million per year. The 

Group exceeded the benchmarked SDDC port hold time, currently set at 10 days, by 57 percent and 

reduced customs clearance time by 50 percent. 595th also oversaw the implementation of 614 new 

Container Asset RFID tags and ensured the proper transport of 644 pieces of cargo from Kuwait to 

Iraq for further movement up the GLOC.

In accordance with the SDDC redeployment support to the warfighter, the 595th provided 

support to all redeploying OIF and OEF units, provided the critical link to AMC redeployment of 

warfighting equipment, to include battle damaged, battle loss, and retrograde equipment. The group 

printed and issued more than 28,500 Military Shipping Labels and produced over 9,500 RFID tags 

for ITV, while also integrating the USCG container and hazardous material inspection teams and 

trained more than 785 unit movement officers to improve redeployment support.

595th Transportation Terminal Group dowloads the MV Virginian in port of Messaieed, Qatar.

Moving the 

Defenders of the 595 Peace

th
24 translog SDDC Almanac

831st Transportation Battalion

Mission and Area of Responsibility

The 831st Deployment and Distribution Support Battalion conducts surface deployment, 

distribution and water terminal port operations to directly support and sustain forces in 

the CENTCOM AOR. The battalion, headquartered in the Kingdom of Bahrain, provides 

administration, supply, cargo documentation, contracting support, invoice processing and 

payment and assists deploying and redeploying units with in transit visibility.

The 831st DDSB provides world-class transportation support to the entire United 

States Central Command and the eastern expanse of USAFRICOM operations area. 

In addition to oversight of military cargo arriving via commercial vessels, the 831st 

also dispatches Deployment and Distribution Support Teams to specific ports in the AOR 

to support port operations for military-owned vessels. The battalion has detachments in 

Afghanistan and Qatar and an operational presence in Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Djibouti, Kenya, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Commander’s Vision

The 831st DDSB is a cohesive team comprised of dedicated soldiers, civilians, and 

local national employees who provide unparalleled, dependable, world-class support to 

the joint Warfighter. The 831st DDSB is motivated, innovative, and completely committed to mission accomplishment. 

831st Deployment and Distribution 

Support Battalion

Armored HMMWVs are staged in preparation for deployment by the 831st DDSB. 
25 translog Spring 2009

Features of the 831st

Many distinct elements characterize 831st DDSB. The unit consists of a battalion headquarters comprised of 30 percent military and 70 percent DOD civilian and local national employees. 

831st DDSB has two forward-deployed detachments in Qatar and Bagram, Afghanistan. In the 

near future the DDSB will also have a detachment in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Although the battalion’s focus is Operation Enduring Freedom, 831st DDSB also provides documentation support 

and invoice payment for OIF (primarily for ports in Kuwait and Jordan). 

Also, the battalion commands a multifunctional DDST with a permanent presence in five 

locations in the OEF AOR. Their primary role is deployment and redeployment support, but they 

also perform a vital container management mission.

Additionally the battalion has two liaison officers serving at the U.S. Embassies in Islamabad, 

Pakistan and Kabul, Afghanistan. These two officers play a vital role in ongoing surface deployments over the 2,000-kilometer Pakistan/Afghanistan Ground Line of Communication. Both 

officers have been instrumental in promoting positive host nation relations and in influencing key 

government policy issues. This includes customs and bilateral trade agreements associated with 

moving vast amounts of cargo through these troubled areas. 

In transit visibility is a primary responsibility of the battalion, and is accomplished through 

management of a multimillion dollar third party logistics contract in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Recent Missions and Accomplishments

831st DDSB contributed tremendously to OEF and OIF in 2008. Within CENTCOM, and the 

newly formed USAFRICOM, the 831st has been responsible for control of military operations 

at 115 ports and has presided over the discharge and upload of approximately 25,230 pieces of 

break-bulk cargo and approximately 75,800 containers and flat-racks.

Since January 2008, 831st DDSTs have facilitated the movement of 14,910 pieces of military cargo via ports in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait and Iraq. The majority of this 

cargo, approximately 13,575 pieces, has been through the Port of Fujairah, UAE or the Port of 

Umm Said, Qatar. Fujairah, in particular, has proven to be a critical hub for unit deployments and 

redeployments out of the OEF Theater; while Umm Said has dealt mainly with import and export 

cargo coming from the OIF Theater.

The strategic transport of cargo is only one segment of the 831st DDSB’s diversified portfolio. On the tactical side, DDSTs have deployed to perform port operations for intra-theater sealift 

transportation of 550 pieces of cargo between ports in Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and the UAE. 

The 831st prides itself in its unique approach to field leadership and changes on the battlefield. The battalion commander created a culture and a communication diagram conducive to 

making appropriate changes in a fast changing environment. Through daily teleconferences with 

commercial carriers and field detachments, the unit maintains open lines of communication and 

power decision-making down to the operational levels while maintaining the necessary ability 

and contact to guide subordinates to meet the commander’s intent. This daily communication is 

key to the battalion’s success when deploying and redeploying units to and from the OEF area of 

operation, and is the only way to quickly change tactics, techniques and procedures in a timely 

enough fashion to maintain the edge necessary to influence movements to meet the CENTCOM 

timeline for deploying and redeploying forces. 
26 translog SDDC Almanac

Mission and Area of Responsibility

The 840th Deployment and Distribution Support Battalion has a significant mission on Joint 

Base Balad in Iraq. The battalion command team, 

Lt. Col. James H. Utley and Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey T. 

Cline, lead the way in the most motivated battalion in the 595th Transportation Terminal Group. 

The 840th provides the forward SDDC presence in the CENTCOM area of operations. As 

the only forward-deployed SDDC battalion, we 

support the warfighters by providing command 

and control for all SDDC operations in Iraq with 

a daily focus on redeployment support, container 

management and terminal operation

Commander’s Vision

The Terminal Operations Section, Container 

Management Team and Redeployment Team are 

work together to ensure CENTCOM has the finest distribution pipeline, and that SDDC is truly 

represented in Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, and Egypt. 

Features of the 840th

The Redeployment Support Team led by 

Maj. Eric Whitelock and Master Sgt. Inez 

Battle came from the reserve component. They 

are technically and tactically proficient at redeploying Brigade Combat Teams. The team 

arrived trained and ready to work, and then 

was augmented with a U.S. Coast Guard RAID 

(HAZMAT) Team plus a team of civilian contractors who are Transportation Coordinators 

Automated Information for Movements System 

II (TC-AIMS II) experts. The teams are tasked 

with providing strategic redeployment support 

services to all redeploying units in Iraq.

The mission of RST is to support redeploying warfighters at their location in order to 

reduce frustrated cargo at the Seaport of Embarkation and support in-transit visibility. The teams 

fly out to the redeploying BCT’s location 120 

days prior to their available load date to begin 

the support process, and works throughout to 

streamline the redeployment process for BCTs. 

The Container Management Team, led by 

Maj. Charlie Willcox and Master Sgt. Lawrence 

Staff Sgt. Jay Jones, 840th DDSB, Redeployment Support Team 2, captured this view from a UH-60 

flying over Baghdad while en route to a RST mission at a forward operating base in Iraq. 

840th

Deployment and Distribution Support Battalion
27 translog Spring 2009

Arras, has an equally important mission. They also are attached from 

the reserve component and work 

on JBB. They are augmented by a 

team of contract personnel who are 

experts in IBS-CMM. They travel to 

the various forward operating bases 

throughout Iraq to inventory the containers and teach the how to properly 

maintain accountability and visibility of the containers. When they are 

accounting for these containers on 

the various bases and camps, they 

convince owners to consolidate and 

return pool and empty containers to 

the distribution pipeline. 

The Terminal Operations Section, led by Maj. Patricia Wright 

and Master Sgt. Javan White, is 

the unit’s newest segment and has 

grown significantly since May 2008. The section 

currently conducts import and export operations 

in Umm Qasr, Iraq; Aqaba, Jordan; and Shuwaikh and Shuaiba, Kuwait. 

The staff is comprised of local nationals, 

Army civilians, active and reserve component 

soldiers, all working to track the cargo arriving 

or departing on vessels that call these ports. They 

also ensure cargo is delivered directly to units or 

redeployed to home station.

Recent Missions and Accomplishments

During the last year, the RST conducted four 

Redeployment Conferences and supported 30 

BCTs, which equates to training 863 unit movement officers, creating more than 1,300 plans in 

TC-AIMS, generating 57,204 MSLs and 16,489 

RFID Tags, and inspecting 8,805 containers for 

seaworthiness. 

In the first half of 2008 the container team 

verified more than 65,000 containers throughout 

Iraq. In June of 2008, the Container Management 

Team expanded its focus to concentrate on 100 

percent reconciliation of the IBS-CMM database. 

In the second half of 2008, the Container 

Management Team visited eight FOB’s throughout Iraq, verifying more than 25,000 containers. 

The team has also trained more than 200 people 

throughout Iraq.

The Terminal Operations Section was recently responsible for transporting and washing 

31 pieces of U.S. Marine Corps rolling stock, 

as well as completing customs and agricultural 

inspections at the Port of Aqaba. 

At the port of Umm Qasr the team was 

involved in the recently and highly publicized 

Iraqi Rail movement of 160 containers from Taji 

through to the Port of Umm Qasr and onward to 

Shuwaikh Port. The containers will travel over 

land to the ECCP or the container repair site at 

Camp Arifjan. We also conducted a very successful proof of principle this last summer where 

we booked and retrograded four HMMWVs 

door-to-door from JBB to Red River Depot 

through Umm Qasr. We also participated in a 

ten container transload conducted at Umm Qasr, 

equipment was transferred from carrier to government owned containers prior to final delivery 

to JBB. We continue to participate in door-todoor direct deliveries of cargo from either diversions or depot.

Spc. Dorian Bailey, 840th DDSB, Redeployment Support Team 

1, verifies information on Military Shipping Labels for 3rd 

ACR equipment at an FOB in Iraq.
28 translog SDDC Almanac

Mission and Area of Responsibility

As a Deployment and Distribution Support Battalion, the 1184th is capable of a 

variety of missions. Currently, the 1184th is deployed to the Southwest Asia Theater as the container management element, which gives the battalion the responsibility to maintain the Integrated Booking System-Container Management Module 

database, train incoming personnel in IBS-CMM, and assist with monthly container 

inventories across the SWA Theater.

The 1184th, an Army Reserve unit based in Mobile, Ala., can be deployed 

anywhere in the world. Currently, the battalion is scattered across Kuwait, Iraq, 

and Afghanistan. The unit is headquartered in-theater at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, 

but many soldiers are attached to both the 831st DDSB in Afghanistan and 840th 

DDSB in Iraq. The battalion is commanded by Lt. Col. John T. Garity, III, and the 

senior noncommissioned officer is Command Sgt. Maj. Gregory Jackson.

Commander’s Vision

The vision of the 1184th is to provide superior management of the IBS-CMM 

database and unparalleled oversight of container management in the CENTCOM 

area of responsibility.

1184th Deployment and Distribution Support Battalion

Sgt. Douglas Cook points out a container number as Staff Sgt. Randy Thames checks it off the inventory sheet.
29 translog Spring 2009

Features of the 1184th

As an Army Reserve unit, the 1184th DDSB only 

brings the skill sets required of the various military occupational skills that make up our soldiers, but the battalion 

also deploys equipped with lifetimes of experience in a wide 

variety of jobs, tasks, and careers. This provides an additional 

amount of adaptability and a wide range of subject matter experts in a variety of 

fields to better help the battalion accomplish any mission thrown its way.

Recent Missions and Accomplishments

Currently, the 1184th is deployed to the Southwest Asia Theater as the CME 

with the mission of Container Management in theater. While acting as the CME, 

the battalion achieved the lowest estimated monthly detention ($795,000) since the 

inception of a CME. 

Throughout the 1184th’s tour, the battalion has served as the database managers 

for IBS-CMM, as well as the primary IBS-CMM trainers for all personnel that were 

stationed throughout CENTCOM. 

1184th also successfully deployed to and returned from Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan with no accidents or casualties among any of our soldiers. 

Some of the tens of thousands of containers 

1184th inventories on a monthly basis.

DDSB
30 translog SDDC Almanac

1186th Transportation Terminal Brigade

The 1186th Transportation Terminal Brigade, an Army Reserve unit from 

Jacksonville, Fla., was mobilized for deployment to support Operation Iraqi 

Freedom in the USCENTCOM area of responsibility. Led by commander Col. 

Mike Klump and senior noncommissioned officer Sgt. Maj. Christopher Kelly, 

the 1186th TTB commands and controls joint reception, staging, and onward 

movement of unit equipment, munitions, class VII reset, retrograde, and new production equipment at the seaport of Ash Shuaiba, Kuwait and the Kuwaiti Naval 

Base. 

In the nine months since1186th TTB took over responsibility for port operations at the sea port of debarkation and Kuwaiti Naval Base, the command has 

moved more than 52,000 pieces of equipment, totaling more than 7.7 million 

square feet. A total of 22 brigade combat teams, four combat aviation brigades 

and four theater class V movements were accomplished under the direction of the 

1186th. 

In addition to Department of Defense movements, the brigade enabled the redeployment of coalition troops and equipment from Australia, Poland, the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom. The 1186th was also tasked for moving 

retrograde AMC cargo. The projected goal for this deployment was 3,968 pieces 

Kuwait Port Commands (2008-2009) Kuwait Port Commands (2008-2009)

1186th 1181st

Deployment and 

Distribution Support 

Battalion

Transportation 

Terminal Brigade

The 1181st Deployment and Distribution Support Battalion takes command of Port Shuaiba.
31 translog Spring 2009

of Class VII equipment; the brigade successfully moved a total of 4,696 pieces 

since 14 May, thereby exceeding the 

ARCENT goal.

The 1186th also supported the standup of the 595th Transportation Terminal 

Group. The 1186th contributed more 

than 30 personnel in various positions 

within the Group and sister units, including the 831st DDSB and 840th DDSB. 

These positions included the deputy 

group commander, command sergeant 

major, S1, S4, S8, force protection personnel and S3 battle captains. 

The 1186th made many improvements to the operations at the port. It 

conducted an investigation relating to 

unexploded ordnance within retrograde 

cargo and implemented measures to prevent 

future incidents. Through relentless work, the 

1186th eliminated the amount of frustrated cargo 

from more than 200 pieces to zero. In addition, 

the amount of aging cargo was reduced significantly in the latter part of the tour. The 1186th 

led the way for all units and organizations on the 

SPOD in developing new safety, environmental 

and recycling programs.

The 1186th TTB mission was completed 

safely and successfully at the Port of Shuaiba. 

During the course of the deployment, the brigade 

worked 76 vessels, moved 52,259 pieces (totaling 7,735,138 square feet of cargo space).

1181st Deployment and Distribution 

Support Battalion

The 1181st Deployment and Distribution 

Support Battalion from Meridian, Miss., took 

over for the 1186th in February. The 1181st, led 

by Lt. Col. Stephen Rutner and Command Sgt. 

Maj. Charles Bishop, has already moved more 

than 5,000 pieces of equipment, (weighing more 

than 300,000 metric tons and taking up over 

713,000 square feet,) in the short time of boots 

hitting the ground. The 1181st DDSB recently 

performed one historical landmark at Port Shuaiba by unloading the 10,000th Mine Resistant 

Ambush Protected vehicle.

The 1181st DDSB 

unloads MRAPs at Port 

Shuaiba, Kuwait.
32 translog SDDC Almanac

Mission and Area of Responsibility

The 1398th Deployment Support Brigade, commanded by Col. Sean Tuomey and Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony Simpson and headquartered in Curtis Bay, Md., is currently deployed in the CENTCOM area of responsibility. 

The 1398th DSB provides assistance in the planning, staging, preparation and documentation of units conducting global surface deployment of equipment. The Brigade establishes 

end-to-end in-transit visibility and total asset visibility by ensuring source data accuracy and 

also provides deployment and redeployment, synchronization and coordination to the division transportation officers, unit movement officers, and the air/sea port operating units.

 

Commander’s Vision

Col. Tuomey’s vision is to make the 1398th DSB one of the premier, strategic transportation assets in the Department of Defense, enhancing the end-to-end distribution process 

by providing flawless subject matter expertise in the technical preparation, processing, 

documentation and inspection of deploying and redeploying unit equipment and hazardous 

materials. The DSB will excel at supporting transportation operations during the deployment and redeployment of war fighters for current and future U.S. operations and contingencies. “ROCK STEADY!”

1398th Deployment Support Brigade

Sgt. Palmer, 1398th DSB, measures a vehicle to capture the dimensional data for TC AIMS processing. 

This ensures the vehicle goes on the correct part of the vessel.
33 translog Spring 2009

Features of the 1398th

The redeployment process is 

captured through the Transportation 

Coordinator’s Automated Information 

Management System (TC AIMS). The 

1398th DSB operates two TC AIMS 

offices; Camp Arifjan and Camp Patriot. Soldiers have also been attached 

to the 840th DDSB and 831st DDSB. 

The TC AIMS operators also process reset equipment for the Army Materiel Command to return to the continental U.S. for repair. Additionally, 

the unit has a Redeployment Support 

Team that travels throughout the AOR 

in support of redeploying units. The 

goal of the RST team is to begin the 

redeployment process for units located 

at various forward operating bases. 

1398th soldiers are in high demand and provide expertise wherever needed.

The 1398th DSB also works on aging cargo which adds a unique aspect to the mission. The 

1398th DSB provides assistance in locating deploying units who have left equipment behind which 

has been aging at the Port of Ashuaba for 30 days or more. Once a point of contact has been established, the 1398th DSB ensures the equipment gets to the unit, whether in Iraq or Afghanistan. The 

1398th DSB has been extremely proactive in this mission and is setting the standard.

Recent Missions and Accomplishments

One of the 1398th DSB’s major accomplishments is the processing of more than 1,400 pieces 

of equipment and approximately 725 RFID tags for the 3rd ACR. The 1398th DSB also assisted in 

processing the redeployment of the 3rd and 4th Infantry Divisions. To date, there has been no frustrated cargo and there has been 100 percent customer satisfaction.

Sgt. Palmer and Sgt. Wright, 1398th 

DSB, in the sterile yard at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, gathering vehicle data.
34 translog SDDC Almanac

Mission and Area of Responsibility

The 596th Transportation Terminal Group (Ammunition) (Provisional) was established on June 16, 2008 at the Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point, N.C. The mission 

of the 596th is to safely provide ammunition terminal services to meet the nation’s objectives. 

In addition to serving the Defense Transportation System customers, the services and 

combatant commanders around the world, the 596th also coordinates and provides support to surface movements of Foreign Military Sales munitions destined for U.S. allies 

around the world. 

Col. Mike Babul has commanded the 596th and MOTSU since July 12, 2005. He will 

turn over command to Col. Mark Hagan April 

16, 2009. Senior noncommissioned officer 

leadership is provided for the group by Sgt. 1st 

Class Robert Hale.

Commander’s Vision

The vision of the command is to become 

the SDDC Center of Excellence for ammunition ocean terminal and distribution operations. Toward this end, on June 16, 2008, the 

834th Transportation Battalion, at the Military 

Ocean Terminal Concord, Calif., was organized under the 596th. 

MOTCO, formerly part of the Naval Weapons Station, Concord, is the primary West 

Coast common-user ammunition terminal and 

was formally transferred from the Navy to the 

Transportation Terminal Group

(Ammunition) (Provisional) 596th

Stevedores prepare the discharge 

of a munitions container aboard 

the MV Virginian.
35 translog Spring 2009

Army Oct. 1, 2008. The assignment of the 

834th to the 596th serves to provide operational and training synergies between 

the East and West Coast ammo terminals 

while also lending professional installation management oversight to the fledgling 

Army installation, MOTCO. 

Further, the 596th will assume global 

ammunition operations and distribution responsibilities from the SDDC G3 later in fiscal 

year 2009. This action will consolidate the planning 

and execution of surface ammunition movements via 

sealift at the 596th and provide stakeholders within the joint 

munitions community a single SDDC point of contact for coordinating these movements. 

Features of the 596th

MOTSU has served as the primary CONUS common-user ammunition terminal in 

support of forces deployed around the world since 1955. The vast majority of munitions shipped to Vietnam, Central Europe during the Cold War, Desert Storm, and 

more recently, Operations 

Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom have originated 

from MOTSU. In 1997, it 

assumed responsibility for 

Army and Air Force ammunition prepositioned afloat 

programs, supporting the 

An Army prepositioning technician prepares to inspect ammunition in 

the inspection and testing facility at Sunny Point, N.C.
36 translog SDDC Almanac

cyclic maintenance and loading of ammunition aboard long-term chartered ammo vessels.

Unlike other SDDC Group Commands, the 596th has an additional mission of operating a 16,000 acre installation with a variety of base operations functions in support of its 

primary ammunition transshipment mission. The majority of the 280 personnel at MOTSU perform installation functions to include security, fire and emergency services, public 

works, land and wildlife management, energy and environmental resources, and rail and 

heavy equipment maintenance. 

At MOTSU, safety is the cornerstone of all activities performed on the terminal, to 

include construction and repair projects. These projects must be viewed through the lens 

of explosive safety. To ensure explosive safety is observed at all times, the 596th has an 

Ammunition Surveillance Division with two Quality Assurance Specialists, Ammunition 

Safety and a team of ammunition surveillance inspectors.

The MV Virginian fully loaded and ready to sail from Sunny Point.

James Johnson and Larry Hill 

prepare Army Prepo munitions 

for inspection during a recent 

discharge of the MV Carter.
translog 37 Spring 2009

Recent Missions and Accomplishments

In recent years, MOTSU has undergone significant infrastructure modernization to enhance ammunition container throughput, to include the current Center 

Wharf expansion project scheduled for completion in 2011. When complete, the 

wharf will provide the necessary platform for the installation of two new ship-toshore container cranes, designed to speed container throughput several fold.

Over the past year, MOTSU personnel loaded and discharged a total of 38 vessels. More than 600,000 measurement tons of munitions were handled, including 

the transshipment of more than 13,000 containers, 1,373 of which were packed at 

MOTSU. The Army and Air Force Preposition Programs accounted for 457,000 

measurement tons. 

Support to OIF and OEF via the MV Virginian included the movement of 

nearly 145,000 measurement tons of munitions. Further, MOTSU processed over 

2,000 commercial trucks and over 2,000 commercial railcars during this period of 

robust activity. 

596th

Two ship-to-shore container cranes are the primary 

means to load and unload munitions aboard sealift ships 

at the Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point.

Terminal of Excellence
38 translog SDDC Almanac

Mission and Area of Responsibility

The 834th Transportation Terminal Battalion is located 

in Concord, Calif., at the Military Ocean Terminal Concord, the primary common-user ammunition terminal on 

the west coast. The mission of the 834th is to provide 

terminal and distribution services through strategic seaports in support of deploying and redeploying forces in the 

California area of responsibility. Further, the 834th safely 

provides ammunition terminal services and performs installation management functions at MOTCO which was formally 

transferred from Navy to Army ownership Oct. 1, 2008, under 

Base Realignment and Closure 2005. 

Commander’s Vision

The vision for the 834th is to provide seamless and robust deployment and distribution support 

across the entire California AOR, while building upon MOTCO to ensure and enhance ammunition 

terminal readiness well into the future. Under the leadership of the Battalion Commander, Lt. Col. 

Russ Cole, and Senior Enlisted Advisor, Sgt. Maj. Kent Tabor, the entire 834th Transportation Battalion team is making huge strides toward achieving these goals. 

Features of the 834th

The battalion boasts of a very professional, flexible, and experienced workforce. In addition to 

terminal operations, the 834th provides customs clearance for all the DOD cargo coming into California seaports, and is also responsible for manifesting vessels that transport DOD cargo entering 

and leaving their AOR.

The versatility of the battalion is evident daily as it manages Deployment and Distribution Sup834th Transportation Terminal Battalion
translog 39 Spring 2009

port Teams at numerous strategic seaports in California in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and 

Enduring Freedom, performs ammunition missions 

and tends to installation management responsibilities at MOTCO. The installation includes more 

than 7,600 acres of waterfront property situated on 

the Sacramento River, and is an invaluable strategic asset to the Department of Defense, USTRANSCOM, and the nation.

Recent Missions and Accomplishments

The 834th performs its general cargo missions 

across four strategic seaports in California: Oakland, Port Hueneme, Los Angeles/Long Beach, and 

San Diego. Over the past 18 months, the battalion 

discharged and loaded 17 vessels with more than 

284,600 measurement tons of ammunition and general cargo. These missions included deploying two 

Stryker Brigade Combat Teams, one Sustainment 

Brigade and two Light Infantry Brigade Combat 

Teams.

 In December 2008, the battalion used MOTCO 

to deploy a Light Infantry Brigade Combat Team, proving that the ammunition terminal could serve 

a dual purpose. Exercising MOTCO versus a commercial seaport saved the customer more than 

$200,000 in berthing, wharfage, and security costs and more than $50,000 in battalion travel costs.

In July 2008, the 834th deployed a DDST to provide transportation and in-transit visibility support during a Joint Logistics Over-The Shore Exercise at Camp Pendleton. 834th personnel coordinated the onward movement of 384 commercial trucks, carrying 951 pieces of equipment belonging 

to the 3/25 (Light) Brigade Combat Team and its support unit, the 45th Sustainment Brigade, en 

route to the National 

Training Center in Fort 

Irwin, Calif. Concurrently, another 834th 

DDST was deployed to 

San Diego, where they 

conducted the reception and staging of over 

1,200 pieces of equipment for the 25 Infantry 

Division’s 1st (Stryker) 

Brigade Combat Team, 

and loaded it aboard a 

Large Medium Speed 

Roll on Roll Off vessel. 

Reserve soldiers participate in Golden Mariner 2008 Exercise at Military Ocean Terminal Concord. Soldiers are preparing material for 

blocking and bracing containers during an ammunition containerization 

operation.

834th Transportation Battalion, Reserve soldiers from the 643rd Automated Cargo Documentation Detachment, and the 841st Deployment and Distribution Support Team conducting 

a rock drill at 10th Avenue Terminal in San 

Diego, Calif., in preparation for port operations.
40 translog SDDC Almanac

Mission and Area of Responsibility

The 597th Transportation Terminal Group is located at Fort Eustis, Va., and is 

commanded by Col. Craig B. Hymes and Command Sgt. Maj. Allen B. Offord, Jr. 

The Group has four subordinate battalions located throughout the United States 

including: the 841st Transportation Battalion located at Charleston, South Carolina; the 832nd Trans. Bn., located at Jacksonville, Florida; the 842nd Trans. Bn., 

located at Beaumont, Texas; and the 833rd Transportation Battalion located in 

Seattle, Washington.

Effective April 2009 the 597th TTG will take command and control of the 

688th and 689th Rapid Port Opening Elements and activate the 690th RPO in 

October 2009.

Transportation 597 Terminal Group th

Stryker vehicles being moved by 833rd Transportation Battalion are staged and 

ready to convoy to Fort Lewis, Wash.
translog 41 Spring 2009

The 597th TTG is SDDC’s Global 

Surface Transportation Expert focused on 

NORTHCOM and SOUTHCOM Areas of 

Responsibility. The 597th TTG and subordinate units, with a workforce of more than 

200 military and civilian personnel, are 

responsible for meeting the surface deployment and redeployment and distribution 

needs of the warfighter and Defense Transportation System customers in the United 

States and Latin America.

Commander’s Vision

A command fully postured to support 

CONUS and OCONUS force deployment 

and redeployment and distribution operations; 

ready to deploy in support of SDDC missions worldwide; and always providing 

for the needs of the 597th TTG family. Our focus is on our people, our mission, 

and our future. 

SSA supervisor Gus Martier ensures a piece of equipment, discharged from the Arc 

Resolve, meets height restrictions prior to departing the port.
42 translog SDDC Almanac

Features of the 597th

Enabling strategic surface deployment in the continental United States begins 

with the establishment of our SDDC Deployment Task Force. Led by the battalion commanders, 597th reaches back from its seaports to the installations and 

unit locations to form a team of surface deployment transportation experts able to 

support deploying units, transportation officers, and mobility warrant officers with 

HAZMAT, equipment, container, unit movement data preparation and documentation. 597th help coordinate and synchronize all aspects of the surface deployment 

with SDDC and the deploying unit and ensure a smooth and efficient move from 

the fort through the port. 

Providing trained and ready Army units to meet requirements of USTRANSCOM’s Joint Task Force – Port Opening is another focus area for the 597th 

TTG. The three Army units solely designed to support Joint Task Force – Port 

Opening are the 688th, 689th and 690th Rapid Port Opening Units. These units enable, joint transportation network assessment, reception, documentation, in transit 

visibility, onward movement and forward node operations. Currently they are supporting JTF-PO (Air Port of Debarkation) opening requirements and will train and 

certify along with 832nd Trans. Bn. DDST, 408th PMT, and the Military Sealift 

Command Expeditionary Port Unit to certify a JTF-PO (Sea Port of Debarkation) 

no later than June 1.

Providing surface deployment and distribution support to SOUTHCOM is an 

important responsibility for the 597th TTG. In execution, the 832nd Trans. Bn. 

works directly with SOUTHCOM planning and supports numerous New Horizon, 

Beyond the Horizon and Tradewind missions throughout Caribbean, Central and 

South America.

Master Sgt. Roberto Reefer, cargo NCO, Julia Shenk, SDDC Intern, and Jesus Mendoza, marine cargo specialist, take part in the upload of a vessel during the Island 

Wave exercise in Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. 
translog 43 Spring 2009

597th MOVERS!

Recent Missions and Accomplishments

OIF/OEF – Deployment and Redeployment Support: Supporting the joint 

warfighter is the number one priority at the 597th TTG. Every unit that has deployed or redeployed to or from CONUS via surface transportation has flowed 

through a terminal where one the 597th TTG battalions operate. 

During Fiscal Year 2008, the battalions of the 597th moved nearly 100 million pieces of cargo through the 18 strategic ports from where they operate. More 

than 10,000 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles have been transported via 

surface through 597th TTG battalions. 

SOUTHCOM: The 597th TTG operates in terminals and facilities throughout Latin and South America and the Caribbean in support of New Horizon and 

SOUTHCOM humanitarian and disaster relief missions. In Fiscal Year 2008, 

597th TTG battalions traveled to ports in Panama, Honduras, El Salvador, Dominican Republic, Trinidad & Tobago, Guatemala and Peru to handle more than 

500 pieces of general cargo. 

JTF-PO (SPOD) Actions: In July, the Joint Theatre Port Opening Element, in 

Fort Dix, N.J., was deactivated and the responsibility for their mission was transferred to the 688th RPOE at Fort Eustis, Va. In April, command and control of 

both the 688th and 689th RPOE will be transferred to the 597th TTG. The 597th 

TTG will be responsible for activating the 690th Rapid Port Opening Element 

this October.

Capt. Phil Raumberger and Kristine Sports of 841st Transportation Battalion observe the upload of 10th Combat Aviation Brigade equipment.
Mission and Area of Responsibility

The 832nd Transportation Terminal Battalion is comprised of the main battalion on Blount Island, Jacksonville, Fla., the Cape Detachment in Cape Canaveral, Fla., 

and the Puerto Rico Detachment. All these units are responsible for conducting small to large ship operations, deploying 

units and Deployment Distribution Support Teams worldwide. 

The 832nd TB’s primary goal is doing quality work, safely without injury. The 

battalion’s mission is to track equipment and personnel from the start of the mission, 

to the end. The 101st Airborne Division is the battalion’s major customer. The 832nd 

personnel pride themselves on being detail-oriented and going the extra mile to ensure the equipment is loaded or off-loaded properly the first time.

On order, the 832nd Terminal Battalion will deploy and conduct surface distribution and water terminal port operations to directly support and sustain the Warfighter 

in the designated AOR. 

Commander’s Vision

The vision of the 832nd is to be a premier terminal battalion that is adaptive and 

responsive to the warfighter; totally driven by a team of outstanding soldiers, civilians, contractors, commercial partners and local and federal agencies.

832ndTransportation 

Battalion

44 translog SDDC Almanac

832nd TB performs helicopter upload operations for the 159th 

Combat Aviation Brigade on the USNS Benavides.
Features of the 832nd

DDSTs routinely deploy to SOUTHCOM AOR to support New Horizons, Tradewinds, Joint 

Logistics Over-The-Shore exercises and real world contingencies when needed. New Horizons are 

engineering and construction exercises where roads, schools, bridges, wells and clinics are built by 

a task force. Tradewinds are disaster relief and humanitarian assistance operations such as those in 

response to hurricanes, earthquakes and tsunamis. JLOTS provides a unique opportunity to exercise 

surface missions into countries without fixed ports.

Recent Missions and Accomplishments

Mission Pieces Date Locations

USNS Mendonca 914 Pcs May 08 JAXPORT (AMC)

Arc Liberty 607 Pcs June 08 JAXPORT (AMC)

 El Faro 1131 Pcs June 08 JAXPORT (AMC)

 ISLAND WAVE 08 130 Pcs July 08 Roosevelt Road, PR

 Cape Vincent 449 Pcs July 08 JAXPORT (AMC)

 PANAMAX 08 20 Pcs July 08 Port Everglades

 Westward Venture 665 Pcs Aug 08 JAXPORT (AMC)

 Arc Liberty 871 Pcs Aug 08 JAXPORT (AMC)

 PANAMAX 08 77 Pcs Aug 08 Panama, Honduras, El Salvador

 BTH Peru 336 Pcs Aug 08 Peru

 El Faro 772 Pcs Sep 08 JAXPORT (AMC)

 Arc Resolve 237 Pcs Sep 08 JAXPORT (AMC)

 American Tern 336 Pcs Sep 08 Cape Canaveral (BTH Peru)

 USNS Mendonca 2332 Pcs Dec 08 JAXPORT (101st)

Westward Venture 666 Pcs Dec 08 JAXPORT (AMC)

Green Lake 180 Pcs Jan 09 JAXPORT (101st Helos)

 ARC Liberty 389 Pcs Jan 09 JAXPORT (101st & AMC)

 Green Ridge 168 Pcs Feb 09 JAXPORT (101st & AMC)

ARC Honor 568 pcs Feb 09 JAXPORT (AMC)

BTH Caribbean 09 217 Pcs Feb 09 PEV, Hoduras, Jamaica, Dom. Rep. 

Left: Soldiers, civilians and contractors scan 101st Airborne Division equipment returning on the USNS 

Mendonca. Right: Staff Sgt. Griffin, rail NCOIC, discusses loading procedures with an SSA supervisor.

translog 45 Spring 2009
46 translog SDDC Almanac

Mission and Area of Responsibility

The 833rd Transportation Battalion, commanded by Lt. 

Col. Robert J. Lehman, is responsible for overseeing the 

movement of military cargo and sustainment through commercial ports in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. 

The senior noncommissioned officer is Sgt. Maj. Roger Roby. 

The 833rd TB is responsible for coordinating and overseeing 

the reception, staging, loading or discharge, and onward movement 

of military equipment through commercial ports while simultaneously 

overseeing all DOD sustainment cargo transshipping the Pacific Northwest via commercial ocean carriers. This responsibility requires continual coordination 

with nearly 39 different commercial 

and government offices.

Commander’s Vision

To serve as the global surface 

transportation experts for the Pacific 

Northwest and to enthusiastically, 

effectively, efficiently and safely 

conduct port operations and support 

DOD transportation requirements in 

accordance with SDDC guidelines and 

timeframes. 

833rd Transportation Battalion

Lt. Col. Robert Lehman briefs leaders from I Corps during 

redeployment operations at the Port of Tacoma, Wash.

Stryker crews conduct maintenance checks in preparation for convoys from Port of Tacoma to Fort Lewis, Wash.
translog 47 Spring 2009

Features of the 833rd

The 833rd TB is the only CONUS SDDC 

Battalion not physically located on a port. The 

833rd routinely utilizes the Deployment and 

Distribution Support Team model to effectively 

operate at any port required within our AOR. 

The 833rd has exercised at multiple local ports 

to include the Ports of Everett, Grays Harbor, 

Olympia, and Tacoma, as well as Naval Magazine - Indian Island, Wash. In addition, the unit 

has deployed DDSTs to support SDDC requirements in Kuwait, Peru, California and Texas.

Army Materiel Command Retrograde cargo 

moves out from the Port of Tacoma, Wash., 

to depots for refit.

Recent Missions and Accomplishments

December 2008 – Discharged 134 pieces of 

AMC retrograde cargo off the American Tern 

and moved via truck to five destinations.

November 2008 – Discharged 234 pieces of 

AMC retrograde cargo off the MV Greatland 

and moved via rail and truck to 15 destinations. 

Oversaw and reported on the loading of the Fall 

Alaska Ammunition Move both northbound 

(555,645 Net Explosive Weight) and southbound 

(26,108 NEW) at NMII.

October 2008 – Discharged 958 pieces of aviation and AMC retrograde cargo from the USNS 

Fisher and disposition via air, rail and both military and commercial trucks to 28 

destinations.

August – September 2008 –

Deployed a DDST to Pisco, Peru 

to receive, stage, and load 347 

pieces of equipment in support 

of exercise NEW HORIZONS to 

the American Tern.

August 2008 – Discharged of 

260 pieces of AMC retrograde 

cargo off the MV Greatland and 

disposition via rail and truck to 

14 destinations.

July 2008 – Discharged of 1,441 

pieces of equipment for the 4/2 

SBCT and AMC retrograde off 

the USNS Brittin and moved via 

convoy, and military and commercial truck to 

three destinations.

June 2008 – Oversaw and reported on the discharge of 54 containers of ammunition (70,438 

NEW) arriving aboard the BBC Mexico in support of the annual Japanese Self Defense Force 

exercise at NMII.

April - May 2008 – Deployed a DDST to Pisco, 

Peru to discharge and disposition 351 pieces of 

equipment aboard the Cape Knox in support of 

the exercise NEW HORIZONS.

November 2007 – Oversaw and reported on the 

loading of the Fall Alaska Ammunition Move 

both Northbound (284,762 NEW) and Southbound (16,589) at NMII.
48 translog SDDC Almanac

Mission and Area of Responsibility

The 841st Transportation Battalion executes surface deployment 

and distribution operations in support of Department of Defense 

strategic transportation requirements within an 800 mile Area of 

Responsibility. 

The 841st is located on the Naval Weapons Station at 

Charleston, S.C. The battalion has a long and distinctive history 

in South Carolina dating back to 1952 when it was established as 

the Charleston Transportation Corps Marine Depot. After many 

re-designations, the unit became the 841st TB July 20, 1999. Its 

mission today is to conduct surface deployment and distribution operations at eight strategic seaports and two military terminals located 

along the East Coast. The battalion is responsible primarily for Charleston; Savannah, Ga.; Wilmington and Morehead, N.C.; Philadelphia, Pa.; 

Hampton Roads, Va.; Port Elizabeth, N.J.; New York Ports and Baltimore, Md. The 841st 

also has a subordinate unit, the 956th Transportation Company at Fort Monmouth, N.J. 

Commander’s Vision

The 841st has the responsibility to provide responsive end-to-end customer support 

at both warfighting installations and commercial seaports ranging from Savannah, Ga. to 

Newark, N.J. 

841st

Transportation Battalion

Soldiers and contract stevedores work together to safely load a UH-60 aboard the USNS Soderman 

during a load out by 956th Transportation Company, a subordinate of 841st Transportation Battalion.
translog 49 Spring 2009

Features of the 841st

841st is the primary surface deployment and 

distribution provider to the XVIII Corps, 82nd 

Airborne Division, II Marine Expeditionary 

Force, 3rd Infantry Division and 10th Mountain Division. It conducts all vessel operations 

in support of the Army Prepositioned Stocks 3 

program and is the premier port for the shipment of more than 10,000 Mine Resistant Armor 

Protected vehicles.

It executes most operations at the NWS. 

The close proximity of the NWS to many warfighting customers, vast staging area, secure 

perimeter and deep water piers make it an ideal 

power projection platform. Its rail network has 

the capability to receive 120 railcars per day 

from either Norfolk Southern or CSX and it can 

accommodate approximately 150 daily commercial truck shipments (total per day reception 

capability is 750 pieces). Once received, cargo 

is placed in one of four different staging areas 

that total more than 2.3 million square feet of 

usable space. Vessel operations are conducted at 

two military terminals, which are Transportation 

Dock and Wharf Alpha. As there are no charges 

for the staging areas or pier usage, operations 

conducted on NWS represent tremendous cost 

savings to DOD. 

Recent Missions and Accomplishments

The 841st has scheduled an event to celebrate the 10,000th MRAP export on March 23, 

with a ceremony and visit by Maj. Gen. James 

L. Hodge, SDDC commanding general, as well 

as individuals whose lives were saved by the 

vehicles. 

841st also manages the shipping of uparmored HMMWVs (more than 6,000 last fiscal 

year) and Armored Security Vehicles. Additionally, it supports the discharge of Military Sealift 

Command fuel tankers, providing aviation fuel 

to Charleston Air Force Base.

The 841st Transportation Battalion has 

maintained a high operational tempo throughout 

Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. In fiscal year 2008 and 2009, the 

841st successfully uploaded and downloaded 

more than 220 vessels with more than 43,000 

pieces of equipment, in addition to more than 9, 

800 trucks and 1500 railcars.

Roger Haines, a contractor working closely with the 841st, prepares to load Mine Resistant Armor 

Protected vehicles. SDDC and the 841st have exported more than 10,000 MRAPS. 
50 translog SDDC Almanac

Mission and Area of Responsibility

The 842nd Transportation Battalion is a deployable, strategic transportation 

battalion comprised of military personnel and Army civilians that conduct surface 

deployment and distribution operations in the Gulf Coast area of the United States 

from Brownsville, Texas, to Pensacola, Fla. 842nd is the seaport operator and 

manager for the busiest military ports in CONUS, the Ports of Beaumont, Port 

Arthur, and Corpus Christi, Texas. The ports have a surge capability of moving 

up to three BCT’s simultaneously in support of deployment, redeployment and 

sustainment operations. 

Commander’s Vision

“Our Army and Nation are in the long war against radical Islamic extremism. Especially in view of these demanding times, TEAM BEAUMONT will be 

a world-class deployment and distribution process supporter to the Warfighter that 

not only ‘owns the edge’ in composite risk management, but is a team player that 

is deployable CONUS-wide. We will travel far and wide to include the customer 

up front in the deployment process.”

842nd Transportation 

Battalion

The 842nd Transportation dedicates their new $5.4 million facility located on the Port of Beaumont, 

Texas. Cutting the ribbon in November with Col. Craig B. Hymes, commander 597th Transportation 

Group, is Pete Shelton, the president of the Port’s Board of Commissioners. Also pictured are U.S. 

Representative Ted Poe (R-TX), in whose district the port lies, and representatives from the port.
translog 51 Spring 2009

Features of the 842nd

Our mission begins with outreach to the Warfighter; the 

best example of which is the SDDC Task Force concept. 

The SDDC Task Force is an ad-hoc organization which can 

be quickly task-oriented to command and control the integrated effort of providing End-to-End deployment or redeployment support to a major combat force. The Mission of 

this organization is to serve as SDDC’s executive agent for 

port and distribution operations, representative to the action 

officers and command group of the customer unit, conduit 

to SDDC’s G-3, G-7, and liaison to non-SDDC agencies 

supporting the deployment and re-deployment.

The Distribution and Deployment Support Team augments our “customer first” philosophy. Each mission, whether deploying a division or redeployment of Army Materiel Command retrograde, is assigned a DDST. These “ad hoc” teams are empowered to 

take all actions necessary to move the customer’s cargo. Often, the team chief will be a 

junior civilian or a sergeant first class, supervising the efforts of more senior personnel. 

The DDST chief serves as the primary point of contact for the customer on all matters relating to the mission. This “one stop shopping” has been very well received by 

our customers as it eliminates much of the guesswork in preparing and executing unit 

movements through our ports. 

Since May 2007, Lt. Col. Marshall N. Ramsey has commanded the 842nd Transportation Battalion. Sgt. Maj. Randy Manns is the battalion sergeant major.

Recent Missions and Accomplishments

In fiscal year 2008, 842nd moved more than 40 percent of CONUS cargo in support 

of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The battalion provides “fort to port and back” distribution 

operations support via road and rail from and to seven power projection platforms west 

of the Mississippi River (Forts Bliss, Carson, Hood, McCoy, Polk, Riley and Sill).

Lt. Col. Marshall N. Ramsey, commander of the 842nd Transportation 

Battalion, and Sgt. Maj. Randy Manns, 

battalion sergeant major, present Certificates of Appreciation to members 

of the 1159th Terminals Supervision 

Team Jan. 29.
52 translog SDDC Almanac

Transportation 598 Group

th

Mission and Area of Responsibility

The mission of the 598th Transportation Group 

is to plan, enable and execute common-user expeditionary port and surface distribution-based operations within the USEUCOM and USAFRICOM 

areas of responsibility. The 598th will seamlessly 

move and deliver the combat power and Department 

of Defense cargo required to assure strategic depth and 

advantage across the full spectrum of conflict.

The 598th is prepared to deploy globally and conduct 

and enable intermodal port and distribution operations and execute with a task force mentality.

The group also provides support, quality of life and management oversight of 

garrison services for an integrated Joint, Interagency and Multinational communities in Rotterdam and Bremerhaven, Germany.

The 598th Transportation Group’s mission is being executed in an area covering approximately 100 countries, each with their own specifically established 

cultural aspects, on three continents, Europe, parts of Asia, and Africa.

An MRAP drives aboard a cargo ship as part of 838th Transportation Battalion’s 

management of MRAP movement from Durban, South Africa.
translog 53 Spring 2009

Commander’s Vision

The commander, Col. Steve Farmen, and Command Sgt. Maj. James Riddick share a vision: “To 

be recognized across our areas of responsibility and 

globally as a ready and relevant team of Workforce 

Warriors that attacks and supports any challenge with 

the spirit of innovation, collaboration, and values and 

ethics-based DNA to enable integrated supply chain 

solutions that exploit and leverages information for 

strategic advantage; and moves, distributes, and delivers DOD cargo and combat power with certainty... 

anywhere!”

It is the 598th Transportation Group command’s 

intent to be, and remain, the “Gold Standard” for 

port operation, while expanding its enterprise view 

“Beyond Ports” to understand, optimize and influence distribution based operations collaboratively 

and positively – ensuring movement and delivery of 

combat power and Department of Defense cargo with 

certainty to the entire group’s supported commands 

and partners.

Top Left: Sgt. 1st Class James Irwin and Master 

Sgt. Gilbert M. Scott document the upload of 

cargo in Bremerhaven, Germany.

Top Right: Col. Stephen E. Farmen, commander, 

598th Trans. Group, standing aboard the MV 

Greenlake, oversees cargo on the Kaiserhafen 

pier in Bremerhaven. 

Middle: Hans Roggeveen, 838th Operations, 

(left) conducts the initial vessel meeting aboard 

the USNS Bob Hope.

Bottom: Heinrich Stein, 950th Trans. Co. safety 

manager controls the traffic going onboard of 

the MV Greenlake in Bremerhaven. 
54 translog SDDC Almanac

Features of the 598th

To accomplish our mission, two battalions, one company and six detachments in seven different countries provide 

necessary support.

These include the 838th Transportation Battalion in 

Rotterdam, the Netherlands, with the 950th Transportation 

Company in Bremerhaven, Germany, the United Kingdom 

Detachment in Mildenhall, UK, the Rhine River Detachment, Mannheim, Germany, and the Azores Detachment, 

Praia da Vitoria, Azores, Portugal.

The 839th Transportation Battalion is located in Livorno, Italy, with the Italy Detachment collocated with the battalion. The Greece Detachment is located in Piraeus, Greece 

and the Turkey Detachment is located in Izmir, Turkey.

Sgt. 1st Class James Irwin, 839th Trans. Bn., movement NCO, documents the upload of the 172nd BCT 

cargo in Bremerhaven, Germany.

Maj. Scott Reed, commander, 950th Trans. Co., briefs 

members of a German logistics battalion on vessel operations at the Kaiserhafen pier in Bremerhaven.

Maj. Luke Meyers, 838th Trans. Bn. executive officer, discusses a load plan with Capt. 

Angel Rodriguez, operations officer.

Bart Fiegel, transportation operations 

manager, and Joshua Spoo, transportation 

specialist, check RFID tags for in transit visibility for containers.
translog 55 Spring 2009

Recent Missions and Accomplishments

Since Sept. 1, 2008, the 598th Transportation Group has provided direct planning 

support, integrated booking support and in-transit visibility solutions in support of the 

Northern Distribution Network into Afghanistan. As a direct result of the 598th team 

approach, there are multiple routes in support of Operation Enduring Freedom including networks through Europe, Russia, Georgia and numerous other countries.

Since Oct. 1, 2008, the 598th Transportation Group has provided support to the 

new Combatant Command, USAFRICOM, in support of the African continent. The 

598th TG has provided planning in support of several exercises, sent multiple Deployment and Distribution Support Teams from both subordinate battalions to the 

continent and assisted in the movement of cargo to and from Africa. The 598th team 

has continually maintained focus on the COCOM commander’s unique mission and 

priorities as we increase our support to USAFRICOM.

Since the end of 2007, the deployment of MRAP RG-31s has been an ongoing mission for the battalion from the port of Durban, South Africa, in support of Operations 

Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, with 673 vehicles shipped as of March 3, 2009.

598th

Warrior Logistics in Motion

Howitzers are prepared to depart Baumholder, Germany. Upon reaching Antwerp, Belgium, the 

838th Transportation Battalion will load the cargo aboard the USNS Gilliand.
56 translog SDDC Almanac

Mission and Area of Responsibility

The mission of the 838th Transportation Battalion is to execute and enable expeditionary port and surface distribution operations within the USEUCOM and USAFRICOM 

areas of operation in order to ensure mission success of DOD and Coalition Forces across 

the full spectrum of conflict. On order, the 838th has the capability to deploy globally to 

execute and enable port operations and distribution support.

The 838th Transportation Battalion’s Area of Responsibility is the northern part of the 

USEUCOM and USAFRICOM AORs with subordinate units stationed in four different 

countries throughout the continent of Europe. Its regular operating locations are Bremerhaven, Mannheim and Nordenham, Germany; Antwerp, Belgium; Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Stavanger and Trondheim, Norway; Ipswich, U.K.; Azores, Portugal and Szczcecin, Poland. There are an additional 20 ports in Europe that operate under One Time Only 

contracts as required. 

The battalion has operated in multiple countries in Africa to include Ghana, Liberia, 

Sao Tome, Cameroon, Benin and South Africa. During the past 12 months the battalion 

has executed more than 15 operations in Africa. 

Lt. Col. (P) James E. Anderson is the commander of the 838th Transportation Battalion. Sgt. Maj. Reginald Thompson is the 838th Transportation Battalion senior noncommissioned officer.

838th

A UH-60 Black Hawk leaves the USNS Bob Hope during the redeployment of the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade in October 2008.

Transportation Battalion
translog 57 Spring 2009

Commander’s Vision

The 838th will safely and quickly execute all aspects of port operations 

associated with the upload, download, reception and onward movement of 

military cargo. Operations will focus on safety of equipment and personnel, operational security, documentation accuracy and accountability, as 

these are the foundation for achieving operational success. 

Training is focused on Core Mission Essential Task List tasks required 

for mission success, and force protection training that will allow small 

teams to operate independently across Europe and Africa. Active leadership, supervision and teamwork ensure successful mission accomplishment 

every time.

Features of the 838th

The 838th Transportation Battalion is capable of projecting Deployment Distribution Support Teams capable of operating independently across the European and African continents. The 

838th Transportation Battalion has the capability to deploy globally in its entirety, to execute 

and enable port operations and distribution support.

Recent Missions and Accomplishments

In the past 12 months, the battalion has supported the West African Training Cruise for the 

U.S. Navy Construction Teams in Ghana, Liberia, Sao Tome and Cameroon.

In March 2008, the battalion supported the 1st Infantry Division, 2nd Brigade Combat 

Team during a critical reset equipment move at the port of Bremerhaven, Germany.

Also in March, the battalion supported the 1st Armored Division 2nd Brigade Combat 

Team’s deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom at the port of Antwerp, Belgium.

In May 2008, the battalion supported the deployment of Kosovo Force 10 at the port of 

Antwerp, Belgium. The 838th also supported the redeployment of Kosovo Force 9 at the port 

of Rotterdam, Netherlands in July.

In November, the battalion supported the deployment of the 172nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and the 2nd Stryker Combat Regiment at the port of Bremerhaven, Germany.

Staff Sgt. Lekesha Coel and Sgt. 

1st Class Jackson, both 950th 

Trans. Co., and Staff Sgt. James 

Philips, 838th Trans. Bn., assist in 

preparing equipment for movement to the Port of Antwerp, 

Belgium.
58 translog SDDC Almanac

Mission and Area of Responsibility

The mission of the 839th Transportation Battalion is to execute 

and enable expeditionary port and surface distribution operations 

within the USEUCOM and USAFRICOM AORs to ensure mission 

success of Department of Defense and coalition forces across the 

full spectrum of conflict. On order, the 839th can deploy globally 

and execute and enable port operations and distribution support.

The 839th Transportation Battalion’s area of responsibility is 

the southern part of Europe, the countries around the Mediterranean 

Sea, and countries around the Black Sea, with subordinate units stationed in three different countries throughout Europe. Its regular operating locations are Livorno and Tombolo, Italy; Piraeus, Greece; 

and Izmir, Turkey. There are an additional 20 ports in Europe that 

operate under One Time Only contracts as required.

Transportation 

Battalion 839th

A dump truck is lifted in Rota, Spain, during one of the U.S. Navy 

Construction Team’s West Africa Training Cruise.
translog 59 Spring 2009

Commander’s Vision

Commander, Lt. Col. Robert King and Sgt. Maj. Felton Head, battalion 

senior noncommissioned officer, share a vision: the 839th is a highly 

functional battalion that provides expeditionary port operations by serving and supporting worldwide missions and exercises. The battalion 

will continue to provide world class port operations for USEUCOM 

and USAFRICOM. “CHIAVE PER IL MED.”

Features of the 839th

839th Transportation Battalion’s number one priority is to offer the best 

customer service to all customers in the Mediterranean. This service is 

provided by dedicated military personnel, Department of the Army civilians 

and local nationals.

Recent Missions and Accomplishments

In March 2008, the Greece Detachment deployed to Souda Bay, Greece in support of 

5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery. The detachment discharged 34 pieces of rolling 

stock and three ammunition containers.

The Italy Detachment conducted a transload operation November 2008 in Rota, 

Spain, in support of the 159th Combat Aviation Brigade. 58 helicopters, 90 tricons and 

various containers were transloaded.

The Italy detachment and personnel from 839th Battalion headquarters conducted 

port operations for 172nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team’s left behind equipment, in 

December 2008. Approximately 205 track vehicles were discharged at the Port of Livorno 

and loaded onto trucks to the 3rd Battalion of the 405th Army Field Support Brigade at 

Leghorn Depot, Italy.

The Turkey detachment deployed to Romania in December 2008 to document 14 containers and 16 break-bulk cargo in support of the Romanian Coalition Force Movement.

Lt. Col. Robert King, 839th 

Trans. Bn. commander, and 

the Turkey Detachment 

Manager Mehmet Akyildiz, 

inspect vehicles at Poti, 

Republic of Georgia.
60 translog SDDC Almanac

Mission and Area of Responsibility

The 599th Transportation Group, headquartered in 

a World War II-era hangar on Wheeler Army Airfield, 

Hawaii, provides surface deployment and distribution 

services to meet the nation’s objectives throughout, from 

and to the U.S. Pacific Command theater. 

The area of responsibility for the group is 52 percent 

of the earth’s surface, equal to about 105 million square 

miles. The group has three battalions and two detachments assigned to it, located to strategically support the military’s main bases 

throughout the Pacific. Those units are the 835th Transportation Battalion in Okinawa, Japan; the 

836th Transportation Battalion in Yokohama, Japan; the 837th Transportation Battalion in Daegu, 

Korea; the Guam Detachment at Naval Station, Guam; and the Alaska Detachment at Fort Richardson, Alaska. 

Deployment, distribution and sustainment of the Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring 

Freedom warfighter is exemplified by the 599th through its assistance to deploying and redeploying units: Army units based in Hawaii, Alaska and Korea; and Marine Corps units based at 

Hawaii and Okinawa. 

Transportation 

Group

A HMMWV drives up the ramp of the USNS Pililau during load out of the 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif. The 

USS Arizona Memorial in the background is always a poignant reminder during wartime of the sacrifices made by previous generations who have served.

599th
translog 61 Spring 2009

Commander’s Vision

The 599th is Pacific Command’s recognized surface deployment and distribution 

expert, delivering personnel, equipment and sustainment to the warfighter on time, 

every time. 

Features of the 599th

In addition to OIF and OEF surface deployments, the group and its subordinate 

units are typically responsible for supporting the following annual or biennial missions: Balikatan, Cobra Gold, Northern Edge, Terminal Fury, Key Resolve, Pacific 

Strike, Ulchi Freedom Guardian, Talon Vision, Turbo CADS, and Talisman Saber.

Originally established in 1984, in Seoul, Republic of Korea, the 599th Transportation Group has undergone several name changes and one move in order to place it 

close to the major combatant command. 

Additionally, the 599th deployed for six months rotations to Southwest Asia in 

June 2004 and November 2007, assuming command of SDDC-SWA, which formally became the 595th Transportation Group following the 599th’s last deployment 

there. 

Six forklifts standby to load the USNS Great Land at Pier 8, Busan, Korea, with 837th Transportation 

Battalion operations staff observing. The battalion is part of 599th Transportation Group.
62 translog SDDC Almanac

Recent Missions and Accomplishments

The command element of the 599th deployed to the Port of Ash Shuaybah, Kuwait, in November 2007, and executed its strategic-level deployment and distribution 

mission in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. The unit performed these missions while continuously 

operating under elevated threat conditions. 

During the deployment, the group’s deployed element supported the movements of 

units from one of the largest military surges 

in history, which included numerous deployments and redeployments being executed 

simultaneously. 

The unit was directly responsible for 

meeting or exceeding the Army Materiel 

Command retrograde goals every month 

while in theater. Additionally, the 599th 

planned and executed the first and subsequent sealift discharge operations of the 

mine resistant ambush protected vehicle 

shipments into the U.S. Central Command 

A photographer stops to watch the ship load 

aboard the USNS Pililaau at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, during a loadout of 25th Infantry Division 

equipment.
translog 63 Spring 2009

Theater, and expedited delivery to forward-deployed units throughout the theater. 

During this single rotation, as the single port manager for 84 ports in the CENTCOM 

area of responsibility, the soldiers and civilians of the 599th provided the leadership to 

facilitate the upload and discharge of 48,838 containers and 34,811 pieces of break-bulk 

imported cargo, and 10,250 containers and 28,008 pieces of exported break-bulk cargo. 

This total of 121,907 pieces accounts for 64 percent of the total 

DOD cargo moved throughout 

the world during that time. 

Although the portion of the 

599th that remained in Hawaii 

during this deployment had lost 

40 percent of its staff, including 

a full two-thirds of the operations 

section, and with only half of the 

missing staff replace with individual mobilization augmentees, 

they melded immediately in order 

to fully engage with customer 

and port operators to efficiently 

execute the entire 599th Pacific 

Command mission.

More than 600 MRAPs are staged at the Port of Ash Shuaibah, Kuwait. After less than a week, more 

than half of the vehicles pictured had already been sent forward to support Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Jane Devine (at right) instructs Shari Jarvis, Command Sgt. Maj. 

David Jarvis, Lt. Col. Joel Peterson, and Col. Susan Davidson on 

the limits of Laniakea Beach during the Malama na Honu turtle 

guardian training. The 599th Transportation Group began its first 

community relations project during summer 2008. 599th

Koa Kokua
64 translog SDDC Almanac

Mission and Area of Responsibility

The 835th Battalion headquarters is located 

at Naha Military Port on the Ryukyu Island of 

Okinawa, Japan. The 835th provides surface 

distribution and military water terminal services 

for cargo transiting the common-user water terminals on Okinawa located at Naha Military Port, 

Aja Commercial Port, Tengan Military Pier and 

White Beach Naval Pier as cargo flow dictates. In 

addition, the 835th deploys and conducts surface 

deployment, distribution, and water terminal operations to directly support, sustain and redeploy 

the warfighter within the Pacific Command area 

of operations, or worldwide as directed. 

In addition to loading and discharging of 

cargo, the 835th also provides storage, processing, documentation, in-transit visibility, accounting, customs, and port clearance of all cargo 

transiting the ports.

Commander’s Vision

A disciplined, combat-ready team of “Champions” adhering to the three T’s, “Teamwork, 

Training, and Trust” in order to provide capability and sustainment solutions that meet the warfighter’s requirements and setting the standard in 

all things.

Features of the 835th

 The 835th Transportation Battalion currently 

conducts terminal operations with a combination 

of military, Department of the Army civilians, 

and contract employees (Japanese nationals). 

Additionally, two contractors aid the battalion 

in the accomplishment of its mission, performing contract stevedore services and commonuser land transportation for inland movement of 

cargo.

The majority of DOD cargo moves by 

835th

Transportation 

Battalion

The 835th Transportation Battalion at work in support of the Cobra Gold 2009 exercise.
translog 65 Spring 2009

container through Aja 

Port. The vast majority of 

break-bulk cargo moves 

through Naha Military Port, 

including a small amount 

moved by military containers. Some break-bulk and 

containerized operations 

also occur at Tengan Pier. 

In special situations, White 

Beach Naval Pier can be 

utilized as a backup port for 

break-bulk or containerized 

cargo or for any surge ship 

operation.

Recent Missions and Accomplishments

Balikatan 2008 was a U.S. Pacific Command-directed exercise designed to improve 

U.S. and Republic of the Philippines Defense 

Forces’ combat readiness and combined joint 

interoperability. The exercise enhanced security relations and demonstrated U.S. resolve to 

support security and humanitarian interests of 

friends and allies in the 

region.

Cobra Gold 09 - An 

annual USPACOM-directed exercise designed to 

improve U.S./Thai combat readiness. 

MK V boat deployment and redeployment

was a 599th Transportation Group-directed 

movement of U.S. Navy 

MK V boats. The 835th 

Transportation Battalion 

provided support as the 

single port manager with 

a DDST team of two personnel as a liaison officer of this U.S. Navy operation in support of 

Operation Enduring Freedom - Philippines.

Load out at Diego Garcia - A 599th-directed movement to support and assist U.S. Pacific 

Air Forces with processing documentation, the 

preparation of a stowage plan, and the generation of readable RFID tags. 

835th Trans. Bn. Deployment and Distribution Support Team pose with III Marine Expeditionary Force 

Port Operations Group and Royal Thai Navy stevedores at the Port of Chuk Samet, Thailand in support of Cobra Gold 09.
66 translog SDDC Almanac

Mission and Area of Responsibility

The 836th Transportation Battalion conducts its day-to-day operations in mainland 

Japan. Its two detachments conduct operations in Guam and Alaska. The battalion also 

conducts exercises and operations throughout 

the U.S. Pacific Command area of operations, 

and contingency and humanitarian missions 

worldwide, as directed.

The 836th is SDDC’s proponent for 

container management in mainland Japan, 

implementer of LOTS in mainland Japan and 

elsewhere, implementer of port opening in 

mainland Japan and Gwangyang, Korea, and 

the Defense Personal Property Program proponent in privately-owned-vehicle shipments 

in mainland Japan, Guam and Alaska.

The unit also provides supporting surface 

infrastructure information and analysis in a 

timely manner for Transportation Engineering Agency and the Joint Intelligence Center 

for Transportation and geographic combatant 

commanders.

Commander’s Vision

The battalion’s first commitment is to the 

joint warfighter. It honors this commitment 

through a commitment to its entire organization, including both the mission and its 

people, and a commitment to excellence. 

The 836th delivers unit and other dod 

equipment and sustainment on time, while 

providing 100 percent in-transit visibility. 

Features of the 836th

In 2009 the city of Yokohama, Japan, the 

largest port in Japan, will celebrate its 150th 

year as an open port to the world. For 63 of 

those years, the 836th Transportation Battalion has been supporting peace in the Far East, 

initially through operation of all port facilities in Yokohama (1946) and in other ports in 

mainland Japan. The 836th now operates only 

the 127-acre Yokohama North Dock in the 

middle of Yokohama Harbor. 

With separate detachments in Alaska and 

Guam, and including all of mainland Japan, 

Transportation 

Battalion

836th

Alaska Detachment 

performs night 

operations.
translog 67 Spring 2009

the 836th has one of the largest battalion areas 

of operation in SDDC, supporting and sustaining all DOD forces as well as Japan Self Defense 

Forces, the battalion’s bilateral partner. 

Recent Missions and Accomplishments

During 2008, the 836th Transportation Battalion and its two subordinate detachments loaded 

or discharged 4,808 pieces of cargo (745,769 

square feet). Operations were conducted in mainland Japan, Guam, Thailand and Alaska. 

In the past year the battalion has managed the 

contractual movement of 12,886 containers into 

or out of Japan, 5,842 containers in Alaska and 

5,636 containers on Guam. Outside the battalion 

area of responsibility, more than 6,200 twentyfoot equivalent units for Operations Enduring 

Freedom and Iraqi Freedom movement were 

manifested.

One of the largest single movements was 

more than 580 Force Provider tricons and supporting equipment from Sagami Army Depot to 

Afghanistan. Given little notice, the battalion was able 

to obtain vessel space, 

stage all cargo and lift 

from the seaport of 

embarkation within 

two weeks, eliminating the need for 

expensive, untimely 

charter vessel movement. 

Guam Detachment 

is working closely with 

local and DOD officials to 

designate the port of Apra as a 

strategic port in the Ports for National 

Defense Program, and is prepared to support all 

forces that will be stationed in Guam, including 

a large part of III Marine Corps Expeditionary 

Force from Okinawa, naval forces. The detachment will also support continuing growth at Andersen Air Force Base and the Defense Logistics 

Agency depot. 

Alaska Detachment supports one of the largest concentrations of U.S. Army forces in the 

United States, with major elements of the 25th 

Infantry Division and other major combat units, 

as well as Elmendorf and Eielston Air Force 

Bases.

At Yokohama North Dock, much of the 

battalion’s work is associated with providing 

berthing and stevedoring services for major 

customers such as Military Sealift Command 

and their fleet of oceanographic and research 

vessels, and Army Material Command, which 

has lay-berthed a significant portion of their 

watercraft fleet there, as well as large quantities of materials and equipment used to support 

Logistics Over the Shore operations. 

Every three years, the 836th also berths and 

supports Japan Maritime Self Defense Forces 

vessels that pass in review for the emperor and 

prime minister of Japan. 

The 836th Transportation Battalion loads a JASDF 

Patriot Missile in-stream in Japan.
68 translog SDDC Almanac

Mission and Area of Responsibility

The mission of the 837th Transportation 

Battalion is to safely and efficiently deploy and 

conduct surface deployment, distribution and 

water terminal port operations, both within the 

Republic of Korea and worldwide as required 

during peacetime and wartime, to directly support and sustain the warfighter.

The 837th is a forward-deployed U.S. Transportation Command enabler operating under 

armistice conditions and is designated as both 

the single port manager and port operator for all 

common-user seaports within the ROK. 

Pier 8, located in Busan, Korea, is the battalion’s primary seaport, but it routinely conducts 

operations out of other ports such as Pohang, 

Chinhae, Mokpo and Gwangyang. The 837th’s 

primary war-fighting customer is the 2nd Infantry Division. 

Commander’s Vision

The 837th is a diverse Team of global surface 

transportation experts that are committed, dependable, and relentless in providing world-class 

deployment and distribution support both within 

the ROK and worldwide as required. 

Transportation 

Battalion

837th

Two Light-Medium Tactical Vehicles roll up the ramp of the USNS MV Green Cove while two M88A1s 

follow close behind during ship operations at 837th’s Pier 8, Busan, Korea.
translog 69 Spring 2009

Features of the 837th

The 837th is a forward-deployed unit 

operating under armistice conditions in 

Korea and move 95 percent of all United 

States Forces Korea cargo. As a result 

of theater transformation and the closing 

of Camp Hialeah, in 2006 the battalion’s 

headquarters moved to Camp Henry, located in Daegu, while the majority of the 

workforce remained at Pier 8 in Busan. 

The staff includes a total workforce 

comprised of active duty and reserve 

component soldiers, Department of the 

Army civilians, and Korean national employees. The battalion relies heavily on 

its local-national teammates who serve 

as the continuity of the organization. 

Recent Missions 

and Accomplishments

AMC Retrograde Operations: Number 

of vessels: 70. Number of pieces: 1,583 

(432 trailers, 996 wheeled-vehicles, 150 

track vehicles, 2 containers & 3 GENNOS).

Chinhae Ammunition Operations: Number of 

vessels: 9 (2 commercial, 7 U.S. Navy ships). 

Number of containers/pallets: 4,243 (1,788 import and 2,455 export).

Theater Equipment Fielding Operations: Number of vessels: 13. Pieces: 1,160 vehicles (594 

up-armored HMMWVs & 566 wheeled vehicles)

Army & Air Force Exchange Service/ Defense 

Commissary Agency Sustainment Operations: Number of vessels: 155. Containers: 5,091 

(3,001 AAFES, 2,090 DECA & 4,636 Army, Air 

Force, Navy & others.)

An ammunition mil-van container is gently and safely offloaded onto a low-boy trailer by 837th port staff in support of ammo ship operations conducted at Chinhae Naval 

Base, Korea.

Members of 837th participate in the quarterly maintenance of the United Nations Memorial Cemetery 

located in downtown Busan, Korea. The cemetery was established in June 1951 during the Korean 

conflict as a temporary mortuary and internment site for the thousands of U.S. and allied service members who gave their lives to preserve freedom on the peninsula. Although today most of the remains 

have been repatriated, a small number still have a final resting place here.
70 translog Fall 2008 - Winter 2009

from the Command Sergeant Major

Let’s Roll

The Secretary of the Army has declared 2009 as the Year 

of the Noncommissioned Officer. This is an opportunity to 

highlight their accomplishments; an opportunity to showcase the importance of the NCO Corps; an opportunity to 

introduce initiatives that have been a long time coming and 

some yet to come; and an opportunity to educate the American people by simply telling the NCO Story.

I, both personally and professionally, have declared 

every year as the Year of the NCO. No matter the circumstance, no matter the unit or location, no matter the mission or task, there has been and will always be an NCO in 

the mix of it. Whatever the plan, there is an NCO who will 

always apply the “Now Come On,” common sense test to 

it. They will always ask – “how will that effect the unit, the 

soldiers or the work force” and be proactive in making sure 

everyone understands “why are we doing this?”

There are many great NCOs who have blazed the trail for those of us who serve today. 

They’ve paved the way so we can continue to provide purpose, direction and motivation for 

those who will serve tomorrow. I am humbled to be in the lineage of Command Sergeants 

Major who have served with SDDC. My thanks go out to Command Sergeants Major (Retired) 

Shinners, Harmon, McCormick, Guthrie, Rucker, Veney, Yelverton, Johnson, Mott, Kirtland 

and Morgan for their service and contribution in our organization’s success. Their selfless efforts highlight “No one is more professional than I,” and justify our right to wear the title of 

being the “Backbone of the Army.”

Though 2009 will be officially recorded as the Year of the NCO, and we celebrate them 

through ceremonies, programs and observances, I hope all will join me in carrying NCOs not 

just in the Army but in all Services in this light in all years to come.

“For I will not forget, nor will I let my comrades forget, we are Professionals, Noncommissioned Officers .... Leaders !”

Until next time .....

Surface Warriors,
COMMAND SERGEANTS MAJOR

Military Surface and Deployment Command

CSM Shinner

Aug 1969 - Nov 1972

CSM Harmon

Nov 1972 - Aug 1974

CSM McCormick

Aug 1974 - Aug 1976

CSM Guthrie

Aug 1976- Aug 1981

CSM Rucker

Aug 1981- May 1984 CSM Veney May 1984-June 1988

CSM Yelverton

June 1988-Aug 1991

CSM Johnson

Aug 1991-Aug 1995

CSM Mott

Aug 1995-June 1998

CSM Kirtland

June 1998-June 2001

CSM Morgan June 2001-June 2004

CSM Hawkins

June 2004- Present