105 Defense Transportatin System (DTS) Flashcards
- 1 Name the Single Manager for the Defense Transportation System.
a. Define the mission of the DTS.
b. Define the role, authority, and limits of control of USTRANSCOM.
c. Discuss the role of DTS in support to JTF 519.
Per DoDD 4500.09E, U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) is the manager of the Defense Transportation System. It provides transportation and common-user port management and terminal services for DOD, as well as non-DOD, agencies upon request; Exercises COCOM of all assigned forces (including Reserve Component forces when mobilized or ordered to active duty for other than training) as authorized by the “Forces for Unified Commands” Memorandum as incorporated in the Global Force Management Implementation Guidance; Exercises responsibility for global airlift, sealift, and land transportation
planning in coordination with the supported CCDRs; Acts as DOD focal point for items moving through the transportation system; Exercises responsibility for intertheater (non-theater assigned) patient movement (PM) through aeromedical evacuation (AE). JP 4-01 II.2.c.
a. Define the mission of the DTS.
The DTS is multifaceted and versatile, resulting in transportation for mobility and movements for
the joint force across the range of military operations. DTS is that portion of the worldwide transportation infrastructure that supports Department of Defense (DOD) transportation needs. It consists of three major sources of transportation resources and capabilities: military (organic), commercial (nonorganic), and host nation (HN). Resources include inland surface transportation (rail, road, and inland waterway), sea transportation (coastal and ocean), air transportation, and pipelines. DTS infrastructure and supporting services include seaports, aerial ports, railways, highways, pipeline pumping and terminal stations, automated information systems (AISs), in-transit visibility (ITV), customs, and traffic management. DTS is essential to the DOD transportation capability to project military power worldwide. Combining the capabilities of airlift, sealift, and land transportation with the integrated control networks of the DTS optimizes their effective use, provides greater visibility over movements, and contributes to the global agility required of the joint force. JP 4-01 I.1.
b. Define the role, authority, and limits of control of USTRANSCOM.
The Commander, United States Transportation Command (CDRUSTRANSCOM), as the DOD single manager for transportation, develops and directs the joint deployment and distribution enterprise to support global force projection; provides end-to-end visibility of the joint distribution process; identifies opportunities for performance improvement; and provides responsive transportation support of joint, United States Government (USG), and SecDef approved multinational and nongovernmental logistical requirements. In this capacity, except for those assets that are Service-organic or theater-assigned, CDRUSTRANSCOM exercises combatant command (command authority) (COCOM) of assigned transportation assets. In coordination with the geographic combatant commanders (GCCs), CDRUSTRANSCOM integrates DOD transportation procedures and systems; aligns traffic management; and ensures strategic air, land, and sea mobility capabilities are maintained. CDRUSTRANSCOM establishes and maintains relationships between DOD and the commercial transportation industry and provides the transportation support for the core logistic functions discussed in Joint Publication (JP) 4-0, Joint Logistics. JP 4-01 I.1.b.
- 2 Discuss the roles of PACFLT Transportation Component Commands.
a. Air Mobility Command (AMC).
b. Military Sealift Command (MSC)
c. Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC)
The USTRANSCOM Components provide full the full range of transportations solutions available in the DTS. See 105.1 above.
a. Air Mobility Command (AMC).
AMC is a major command of the United States Air Force (USAF). As a transportation component of USTRANSCOM, AMC provides common-user air mobility (cargo movement and aerial refueling) and aeromedical evacuation (AE) transportation services to deploy, employ, sustain, and redeploy US forces on a global basis. Additionally, AMC is the single port manager (SPM) of common-user aerial ports of embarkation (APOEs) and/or aerial ports of debarkation (APODs). JP 4-01 II.2.d(1)
AMC operates Channel flights and provides SAAM and JOPES mission support. AMC operates C-5s, C-17s, KC-10s and KC-135s not assigned to other Combatant Commanders.
b. Sealift Command (MSC)
MSC is a major command of the United States Navy (USN). As a transportation component of USTRANSCOM, MSC provides common-user and exclusive use sealift transportation services to deploy, employ, sustain, and redeploy US forces on a global basis. JP 4-01 II.2.d(2).
MSC provides Combat Logistics Force (CLF) ships, operates Preposition Ships, Sealift Ships and Special Mission/Fleet Support ships.
A major aspect of MSC operations in the USINDOPACOM AOR is the movement/distribution of bulk fuel from refineries to Defense Energy Support Points (DESP) and between DFSPs.
c. Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC)
SDDC is the Army Service Component Command of USTRANSCOM and a subordinate command of US Army Materiel Command. As a transportation component of USTRANSCOM, SDDC provides worldwide common-use ocean terminal services and traffic management services. SDDC also conducts transportation engineering to ensure deployability and feasibility of present and future deployment assets. Additionally, SDDC is the Single Port Manager (SPM) for all common-user seaports of embarkation (SPOEs) and seaports of debarkation (SPODs) and manages the Defense Freight Railway Interchange Fleet (DFRIF). Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command Transportation Engineering Agency (SDDCTEA) provides deployment engineering, research, and analytical expertise. JP 4-01 II.2.d(3).
SDDC and its units provide common ground transportation, operate pipelines, railroads and ports. Additionally, they provide less-than-ship load/container shipping services.
105.3 Discuss the roles of the Marine Corps, Army and Air Force transportation components and their relationship to PACFLT, PACOM, and TRANSCOM in the PACFLT AOR.
Each of the component commanders for USINDOPACOM has a transportation section in its logistics center. Each service retains service unique aircraft, and surface transportation assets. The Marines fly KC-130Js and have several (12 total) UC-35 Citation executive aircraft and UC-12s. The Army has its Operational Support Airlift Agency (OSAA) and its operational subordinate unit, the Operational Support Airlift Command (OSACOM) which flies C-12s, C-23s. C-26s. C-21s. and C-20s. The Air Force also maintains service (rather than common use) C-130 and other OSA aircraft. The first stop to obtain access to these aircraft is the PDDOC and points of contact at each services’ transportation cell.
The US Air Force under Air Mobility Command, provides common use aircraft for movement within the INDOPACOM AOR. These flights are controlled via the Air Operations Center (AOC) Director of Mobility Forces (DIRMOBFOR) and the Air Mobility Division (AMD). The AMD is a part of the AOC.
105.4 Discuss the role of the Joint Mobility Control Group (JMCG) in PACFLT AOR Transportation planning and operations.
The Joint Movement Board is a INDOPACOM Board, chaired by the INDOPACOM J4, determines transportation and distribution priorities for in-theater (Schedule Tactical Airlift Resupply [STAR] Routes and special mission flights) and intra-theater (Channel and JOPES missions), and authorizes joint transportation solutions to support the component commander’s transportation needs. The Board includes the Logistics Directors for the component commanders, the INDOPACOM Transportation Officer, the Director of the INDOPACOM Deployment and Distribution Operations Center, and the USTRANSCOM Liaison officer to INDOPACOM. The PACFLT Transportation Officer attends to support the Logistics Readiness Center Director. See the JMB Seven Minute Drill.
- 5 Discuss the roles of the Commercial Partners in transportation operations.
a. Civil Reserve Air Fleet
b. Voluntary Intermodal Service Agreement (VISA)
c. National Port Readiness Network (NPRN)
a. Civil Reserve Air Fleet
CRAF is designed to augment DOD capability with contractually committed US civil aircraft, aircrews, and support structure when requirements exceed DOD air mobility capability and voluntary support is either insufficient or unavailable. CRAF aircraft are not designed to carry most oversized and outsized cargo. Additionally, these aircraft may require special handling and loading equipment. During peacetime operations where activation of CRAF is not required, CRAF carriers are used to provide airlift on a voluntary basis.
(1) CRAF is comprised of two segments: the international segment and the domestic segment.
(a) International Segment. This segment consists of long-range and shortrange sections. The long-range section provides the largest capability with passenger and cargo aircraft. Extended-range-capable aircraft are used when flying over water. The shortrange section supports near offshore operations with both passenger and cargo aircraft.
(b) Domestic Segment. The domestic services section provides passenger and cargo aircraft for domestic-only service using regional US air carriers with at least 75 seats (30,000 pounds allowable cabin load) and a cargo capability of at least 32,000 pounds. The domestic services section is used in CRAF Stages II and III.
(2) With the approval of SecDef, CDRUSTRANSCOM activates CRAF in response to defense-oriented situations (up to and including a declared national emergency or war) to satisfy DOD airlift requirements. The activation of the CRAF can be tailored to meet varying levels of defense air mobility requirements or activated all at once depending on the type of capability (passenger, cargo, etc.) and capacity needed. Although AMC assumes mission control of CRAF airlift assets during activation, individual CRAF carriers retain responsibility for their own assets. In this way, the US military gains use of civil aircraft and aircrews and access to their en route support structure. The three stages of CRAF organized to meet the varying levels of defense airlift requirements are as follows:
(a) CRAF Stage I, Committed Expansion. This stage involves DOD use of civil air carrier resources to support substantially expanded peacetime military airlift requirements. This stage supports minor regional crises or small-scale contingencies.
(b) CRAF Stage II, Defense Airlift Emergency. This stage involves DOD use of civil air resources and air carriers in time of a defense airlift emergency. This stage supports major regional conflicts or a major theater war.
(c) CRAF Stage III, National Emergency. This stage involves use of civil air resources owned by a US entity or citizen air carriers furnished to DOD in time of declared national defense-oriented emergency or war, or when otherwise necessary for the national defense. This stage supports multiple theaters of war and national mobilization. JP 4-01 III.2.f
b. Voluntary Intermodal Service Agreement (VISA)
Ships operating under a US flag are routinely tasked by SDDC to meet shipping demands using scheduled liner service. For unique or high-volume shipping demands, MSC routinely charters US flag vessels. When an expansion of USG requirements occurs such that organic and voluntary US and foreign flag shipping can no longer provide sufficient lift capacity, DOD may elect to activate pre-negotiated agreements with US flag vessels through the VISA program or the voluntary tanker agreement (VTA) program. If demands for shipping still remain after VISA or VTA activation, US-owned, foreign-flagged vessels can be requisitioned.
VISA is DOD’s primary sealift mobilization program. All major US flag carriers are enrolled and more than 90 percent of the US flag dry cargo fleet is covered under its contingency commitments. It is an intermodal capacity-oriented program vice a ship-by-ship contract, which means, when activated, DOD is requesting a percentage of a company’s total capacity. A participant’s minimum commitment is 50 percent of its entire US flag capacity or 100 percent of its MSP subsidized capacity, whichever is greater. The purpose of VISA is to provide a coordinated, seamless transition from peacetime to wartime for the acquisition of commercial sealift and related global intermodal services required to augment DOD’s sealift capabilities.
VISA is activated upon approval of SecDef and consists of three stages. Stage I is activated by CDRUSTRANSCOM, upon SecDef approval, when voluntary capacity commitments are insufficient to meet DOD requirements and provides limited access to 15 percent of enrolled capacity. Stage II is activated in the same way and provides up to 40 percent of enrolled capacity. Stage III is slightly different, with MARAD allocating up to 50 percent of enrolled capacity in an effort to minimize disruption to US maritime commerce. In addition, carriers receiving subsidy payments through Maritime Security Program (MSP) are required to enroll 100 percent of their MSP capacity in VISA. In total, VISA provides an immense capability and ready access to over 160,000 20-foot equivalent units of container capacity, seven million square feet for rolling stock, and 300,000 measurement tons for heavy lift requirements.
The Joint Planning Advisory Group is central to the successful implementation of VISA and comprises representatives from USTRANSCOM, SDDC, MSC, MARAD, and intermodal industrial transportation. The Joint Planning Advisory Group provides USTRANSCOM and its components with recommendations on how to best resolve critical transportation issues during periods of heavy demand or crisis.
The VTA is a method of acquiring additional petroleum product carriers once the commercial market is no longer responsive. It is a cooperative effort by industry and government to meet military requirements for liquid cargo carriers. It is activated at the request of USTRANSCOM with the approval of SecDef. JP 4-01 III.3.b
c. Strategic Seaport Program (SSP)/National Port Readiness Network (NPRN)
The SSP fulfills three basic objectives. The first is to determine which seaports fit the requirements for inclusion in the program. Not all seaports qualify for acceptance. While a strategic seaport can be either military or commercial, only ports with the capability and capacity to meet America’s national security needs can be designated as strategic. Any ports considered for the program must undergo thorough vetting and preparation to ensure their ability to support America’s armed forces during a national emergency. Satisfying this second objective involves managing a number of factors relevant to a port’s readiness, including planning for how the ports will be used during a contingency, training of personnel, and security. After these issues have been taken into account, the third objective of the program is to continuously evaluate and assess the capabilities of strategic seaports to track their continued fit for the program. Since national security requirements change as new threats emerge, the SSP ensures the program is responsive to evolving national security challenges. This includes reviewing whether strategic seaports still fit readiness requirements and, if not, whether they should be dedesignated and replaced with a more suitable one. Accomplishing these objectives allows America to have the seaports necessary to support materiel movement in any major contingency.
Maintaining the SSP’s massive reserve capacity requires the coordinated effort of numerous federal agencies.
The NPRN operates the SSP through a three-tiered organizational structure. At the top is the NPRN Steering Group, consisting of senior leadership from each NPRN agency, which provides overall guidance on the direction of the program. Next, the NPRN Working Group is responsible for implementing policies and directives set by the steering group. Finally, every strategic seaport has a Port Readiness Committee which manages the program at the local level. All three tiers include representatives from each NPRN agency. Working within the context of the NPRN’s structure, these representatives keep the program focused and operational.
A Memorandum of Understanding on Port Readiness establishes the National Port Readiness Network Steering Group (NPRNSG) and a National Port Readiness Network Working Group (NPRNWG). The organizations provide coordination and cooperation to ensure readiness of commercial ports to support force deployment during contingencies and other defense emergencies.
Nine Federal agencies and organizations – Maritime Administration, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), Military Sea-lift Command (MSC), U.S. Army Forces Command (USFORSCOM), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) – have responsibilities for support of the secure movement of military forces through U.S. ports.
At each strategic commercial port, representatives of the nine agencies establish Port Readiness Committees chaired by the USCG Captain of the Port. The PRCs provide the means for coordinating peacetime preparations for emergency port operations and for coordinating port operations during actual national defense emergencies.
The NPRNSG, the NPRNWG, and the PRCs constitute the National Port Readiness Network (NPRN).
https://www.maritime.dot.gov/ports/strong-ports/national-port-readiness-network-nprn and https://www.army.mil/article/180466/the_strategic_seaport_program_ensuring_transportation_readiness
105.6 Discuss the role of Naval Supply Systems Command Weapons System Transportation and Distribution Department (WSS-T&D) in transportation operations.
Naval Supply Systems Command Weapons System Support Command Transportation and Distribution (T&D) Department is responsible for the efficient, cost effective, and safe movement of personnel and cargo. It acts as the Navy’s Airlift Clearance Authority (ACA), manages Navy transportation funds and Transportation Accounting Codes (TAC). It validates SAAM and high priority movements and is the Navy’s agent for the Next Generation Delivery System.
- 7 Discuss the role and responsibilities of the Military Sealift Command (MSC) with respect to Transportation operations in the PACFLT AOR.
a. Explain the MSC chain-of-command.
b. Discuss the MSC vessels used to support fuel resupply/distribution.
DOD (MSC) maintains a fleet of organic vessels in full operational status, as well as a fleet in a reduced operating status (ROS). DOT (MARAD) maintains the MARAD RRF. The MARAD RRF is a separate fleet of vessels maintained in a ROS. Upon activation, MARAD RRF vessels are operated by MSC.
MSC is responsible for operating assigned organic vessels and for awarding and implementing contracts with commercial charter operators to meet DOD lift requirements. Today, the organic fleet is composed of a combination roll-on/roll-off (RO/RO) vessels: large, medium-speed roll-on/roll-off (LMSR) surge vessels and LMSR vessels available for common-user lift requirements once their wartime stocks are downloaded and the vessels are released to the common-user fleet. During a contingency, MSC is responsible for recommending and executing a number of DOD and commercial sealift programs. When directed by CDRUSTRANSCOM, MSC first uses currently activated organic (government-owned or commercially chartered) vessels, if operationally feasible. If insufficient or infeasible, MSC uses US flag commercial charters and, in some cases, foreign flag ships. If sealift capacity is still insufficient, MSC, in coordination with USTRANSCOM, activates suitable ROS or MARAD RRF vessels to meet the requirement.
Surge Sealift Ships. This fleet consists of dry cargo, tankers, and LMSRs. The majority of this fleet consists of LMSRs strategically layberthed near ports on the West, Gulf, and East Coasts of the US. All are in five-day ROS [depicted as ROS-5] and capable of carrying over 300,000 square feet of heavy wheeled vehicles and rotary aircraft at sustained speeds of 24 knots.
Pre-Positioning Ships. DOD positions a number of vessels around the world that are loaded with equipment and material required to respond rapidly to military operations. All of the DOD Services maintain several of these vessels.
a. Explain the MSC chain-of-command.
MSC reports through three distinct and separate chains of command:
To U.S. Transportation Command for defense transportation matters. USTRANSCOM provides coordination of air, land, and sea transportation for the Department of Defense.
To U.S. Fleet Forces Command for Navy-unique matters. USFF provides combat ready forces forward to Numbered Fleets and Combatant Commanders around the globe in support of United States national interests.
To the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition) for procurement policy and oversight matters. ASN (RDA) provides weapons systems and platforms for the Navy and Marine Corps.
The MSC commander is located at Naval Station Norfolk, in Norfolk, Virginia. All MSC vessels are assigned to programs that support the three MSC mission areas. Ashore personnel are responsible for administration, crewing, training, equipping, and maintaining government-owned, government-operated ships of the MSC Fleet.
Combat Logistics Force
Manages ships that provide underway replenishment, commercial helicopter services and other direct fleet support to Navy ships worldwide. These ships include fleet replenishment oilers, fleet ordnance and dry cargo ships, and fast combat support ships.
Fleet Support and Special Mission
Provides the Navy with towing, rescue and salvage, submarine support, cable laying and repair services, a command and control platform, floating medical facilities and the Navy’s expeditionary sea base, and fast transport vessels.
Special Mission Supports specialized scientific and technical missions for DoD sponsors. Missions include ocean surveillance, oceanographic survey, cable laying, missile telemetry collection, submarine support and navigation test support. Prepositioning Provides ships loaded with military stores for forward, at-sea staging around the world. Prepositioning ships carry cargo owned by the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps. Expeditionary Fast Transport Provides high speed, agile lift capability to deliver operationally ready units to small, austere ports and flexibly support a wide range of missions including maneuver and sustainment, humanitarian assistance and special operations support. Service Support Provides towing, rescue and salvage, submarine support and afloat medical facilities.
Combatant Command Support. MSC provides marine transportation to satisfy DoD sealift requirements. For dry cargo validated by USTRANSCOM and assigned to MSC, Sealift provides breakbulk, container and roll-on/rolloff (RORO), as well as other specialty ships (heavy lift/FLOFLO) from both government and commercial sources.
Sealift. MSC provides, efficient and cost-effective ocean transportation for the DOD and other federal agencies during peacetime and war. Dry Cargo and Tankers. MSC provides transportation of refined petroleum products between commercial refineries and DOD storage and distribution facilities worldwide for Defense Logistics Agency-Energy, which procures and manages fuel for all of DOD.
Area Command Organization. MSC is represented by five geographic area commands, which exercise tactical control of all assigned USTRANSCOM forces and MSC forces not otherwise assigned to the numbered fleet commanders. The area command staffs are also responsible for execution of strategic sealift missions. Most area command commodores are dual-hatted, each one having a formal relationship with its geographically collocated numbered fleet commander. Under fleet command authority the commander may exercise tactical control of MSC ships assigned to the fleet commander, usually as a task force commander.
In the INDOPACOM AOR there are two major MSC Area Commands: MSC Pacific located in San Diego and dual hatted as CTF 33 under Commander Third Fleet; and, MSC Far East, located in Singapore.
The area commands provide ship support for MSC vessels. They are responsible to for local coordination, engineering, contracting and IT support to government-owned ships. They also provide IT support to other MSC ships for government-owned systems and in-theater administrative support.
MSC Offices are located in ports where MSC conducts regular, sustained operations, MSC offices provide direct support to MSC ships and act as MSC’s liaison with local commands. Responsibilities include coordination of logistics, husbanding services and port loading. Assistance to ships may also include coordinating voyage repairs, delivery of mail, bunkering, travel arrangements and administrative support.
MSC HQ Detachment and Liaison Office: MSC headquarters has a detachment to USTRANSCOM at Scott AFB, Illinois, and a Pacific Fleet LNO in Hawaii. These offices represent MSC in all mission areas and operations in which their host command conducts coordination activities. They direct staff inquiries to appropriate points of contact and act as subject matter experts for MSC-related questions. They alert MSC staff to developing requirements, tasks and initiatives.
105.8 Discuss the INDOPACOM Deployment and Distribution Operations Center (PDDOC).
As part of INDOPACOM’s staff, the PDDOC develops deployment and distribution plans, integrates multinational and/or interagency deployment and distribution, and coordinates and synchronizes supply, transportation, and related distribution activities. Therefore, in consonance with the INDOPACOM’s overall priorities, and on its behalf the PDDOC coordinates common-user and theater distribution operations above the tactical level. PDDOC’s strength is its ability to resolve potential deployment and distribution problems through coordination of available theater logistical support capabilities and collaborative reachback to national partners (USTRANSCOM, DLA, individual Service organizations), agencies, and other organizations (multinational, NGOs) deemed critical to the GCC’s operational mission. See Figure IV-1 for JDDOC relationships. See JP 4-09 IV.2.b.(2)
