MPF-02

Maritime Prepositioning
Ship Squadron (MPSRON)
and Support Vessels
LT William Czopek, USN
Expeditionary Warfare Training Group, Pacific
USMC Expeditionary Logistics Branch, N571
DSN 577-2606, Commercial (619) 437-2606
william.czopek@navy.mil
Lesson Purpose
 To familiarize the student
with information on the
staff composition,
location, responsibilities,
and vessel characteristics
of the MPSRONs, as well
as, characteristics of the
Maritime Prepositioning
Force (MPF) support
vessels.

MPF-02 2
 References

• MCWP 3-32/NTTP 3-02.3, Maritime

Prepositioning Force (MPF) Operations

• COMSURFWARDEVGRU TACMEMO
PZ0057-1-94, Aviation Logistics Support
Ship (T-AVB) Operations

MPF-02 3
 Overview

 Squadron Locations
 Describe MPSRON Staff Composition

 Define MPSRON & Merchant Marine

Responsibilities
 Detail MPSRON Vessel Composition &

Characteristics
– Including Support Vessels

MPF-02 4
 MPF Triad
MPF

MPSRON MAGTF NSE

MPF-02 5
 Introduction
 Concept is for Rapid Deployment of a MAGTF to link
up with Prepositioned Equipment and Supplies on
MPS

 Reduces strategic lift requirements


1 LMSR= 300 C-17 or 220 C-5 loads

Provides credible and rapid global response
 Warning order to MAGTF stand-up: 17-25 days

 Used to deter to “aggressors”


MPS able to be underway within 24 hrs
MPF-02 6
 Introduction
Full MAGTF support (One Stop Shop)
 USMC armor/tracked vehicles, artillery, ammo, fuel,
water, food spread loaded
 USN tactical comm and squadron staff (on flagship)

 In-stream offload capability (undeveloped ports)

– Lift-on/Lift-off (LO/LO) & Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO)

to lighterage
– Bulk liquids with ABLTS

 Helicopter deck (USN certified) for PAX transfer

 Approx 100 OPP Team berthing ISO cargo offload

MPF-02 7
 MPF Assets

“Floating
Warehouses”

Line Items
– 11,300

 Pieces

– 45.7 million

 Cost

– $3.103 billion

– Not including maintenance, servicing and cost of ships

MPF-02 8
 MPSRON Locations

 Three forward deployed squadrons each

comprised of:
– Maritime Prepositioning Ships (MPS)

USNS – Owned by MSC

Motor Vessel (MV) & Steam Ship (SS) – Owned by
company

MSC operates all MPS ships – USNS, MV, SS
– MPSRON- Active duty Navy squadron staff
– All MPS manned by merchant marines (civilians)

MPF-02 9
 MPSRON Locations

 MPSRON One (II MEF)

– Forward deployed in the Mediterranean Sea
– No specific homeport (based on Status of Forces
Agreements (SOFA))
 MPSRON Two (I MEF)
– Forward deployed in Diego Garcia (Indian Ocean)
 MPSRON Three (III MEF)
– Forward deployed in Guam and Saipan (Pacific
Ocean)

MPF-02 10
MPF-02 11
 MPSRON Squadron
(notionally 4-6 ships per squadron)

Major End Items*

58 M1A1 Tanks
109 AAV’s (Amphib)
30 155mm Howitzers
52 TOWs
25 LAVs
289 MTVs
530 HMMWVs
10 Landing craft
Spreadloaded with combat equipment and
46 Causeway sections sustainment for 30 days for 17,500 Marine
11 Twenty-foot Equivalent Expeditionary Brigade (Includes NSE, NMCB, &
FH).
Unit (TEU)
MPF-02 12
MPSRON offload

1 MPS offload = 1 MEU-sized
MAGTF
-Flag or Alt Flagship only
support MEU-slice
-Bobo & Kocak-class are used
for flagship platforms


5-6 MPS offload = 1 MEB-
sized MAGTF

16 ships offload= MEF(FWD)-
sized MAGTF

MPF-02 13
 MAGTF Composition
Each MPS Squadron has:
Marine Air-Ground - Supports 17,500 Marines and Sailors
Task Force Ground Combat Element
•Infantry Regiment (Rein)
•58 M1-A1 Tanks
•52 TOWs
•109 AAV’s
•30 Howitzers
•25 LAVs
Aviation Combat Element
COMMAND ELEMENT •Support Equipment for:
•73 Fixed Wing Aircraft
•63 Helicopters
•EAF
•96’ x 3850’ Runway
•Parking to support 75
A/C
Logistics Combat Element
•Supply/Maintenance
GCE ACE LCE •Motor Transport
•Engineer
•Medical/Dental
MPF-02 14
•Landing Support
 Staff Composition
MPSRON 1 & 3
SQUADRON CO
USN CAPT

C H IE F S T A F F O F F
U SN LC DR

OPS E N G /M A T O F F SUPPLY OFF C I V IL I A N M E D IC A L F o rc e P ro te c tio n O ffic e r

USN LT USN LT USN LT S E R V IC E S O F F .

GM,OS C IV IL IA N IT /E T YN,SK

Approx 15 PERS on MPSRONS 1 & 3; AC and Civilian

MPF-02 15
 Staff Composition

MPSRON 2 staff is LARGER
– Responsible for Army and Air Force Afloat

Prepositioning Ships (APS) in Diego Garcia

– Additional Personnel:


Readiness Officer (USN LT)

Extra Enlisted Personnel: MMC, EM2 & PN2

Additional Civilian Medical Services Officer€


All MPSRON Staff serve 1-yr unaccompanied tour
– Work from Flag Ship or Alternative Flagship; or

shore facilities if available

– Ships utilize anchorages and berths

MPF-02 16
 Naval Embarked Advisory
Team (NEAT)
 Augments MPSRON Staff (Reserves)
 Assist Ships’ Master with tactical
communications
 Activated for convoy operations
 10 person detachment per MPSRON
– 3 Surface Warfare Officers, 3 Radiomen, 3
Quartermasters, and 1 Electronics Technician
 Self-contained communications capabilities

MPF-02 17
 COMPSRON
Responsibilities
 Tactical control of ALL Afloat Prepositioning
Force (APF) ships in area
– Includes Army, USMC, Navy, USAF and

DLA prepositioned ships


MPS principal advisor
– Military Sealift Command (MSC)

administratively
– # Fleet operationally

 Participate in planning MPF operations

MPF-02 18
COMPSRON Responsibilities

 Participate in the offload planning process


Evaluate Readiness of assigned ships
(CASREPS)
 Develop and improve operational procedures for
MPSRON support

Conduct training for ships
– AT/FP, convoy, communications
 Develop self-defense / security plans
– Coordinate/support seaward security in AAA

MPF-02 19
 COMPSRON
Responsibilities
 Monitor contractor arrangements for
husbandry and services provided for
MPS
 Serve as consular representative on
merchant marine matters
 Coordinate port service requirements
for the MPSRON

MPF-02 20
 COMPSRON
Responsibilities
 Arrange for bunkering and fueling at
sea for MPS

Provide billeting and messing for OPP
A

1ST LT. JACK LUMMUS

1ST LT. JACK LUMMUS

MPF-02 21
 Merchant Marine
 Military Sealift Command (MSC) leases some
MPS – 25 year contracts

Shipping companies provide
– Vessels

– Civilian manning

– Operation of ships

– Accommodations & services for MPSRON staff

– Furnish ships fuel, food, repair parts, etc.

– Rotate crews who are forward deployed

MPF-02 22
 Merchant Marine
 Government responsible for:
– Insurance for “HIGH RISK” areas
– Extra civilian Bridge Watch Mate
– Operating loading and discharge mechanisms
 MPS bound by law to comply with USCG
Regulations
– MSC currently required to physically drydock
the ships every 3 years
– Berthing – PAX cannot exceed lifeboat capacity
MPF-02 23
 MPSRON Vessels
Total: 16 Ships
Named after USMC Medal of Honor recipients
 5 BOBO Class MPS  5 HAUGE Class MPS
– USNS BOBO (2007) – M/V HAUGE
– USNS WILLIAMS (2006) – M/V BAUGH
– USNS LOPEZ (2006) – M/V ANDERSON
– USNS LUMMUS (2006) – M/V PHILLIPS
– M/V BUTTON – M/V BONNYMAN
 3 KOCAK Class MPS  3 GOCO MPF(E)
– SS KOCAK – USNS MARTIN
– SS OBREGON – USNS STOCKHAM
– SS PLESS – USNS WHEAT
MPF-02 24
Afloat Prepositioning Force
Locations
MPSRON One
MPSRON Three
USNS Bobo – Flagship (MEU)
USNS Wheat – Alt Flagship MV Anderson (MEU)
MV Bonnyman -
Location: Mediterranean MV Hauge – Alt Flagship
USNS Lummus – Flagship
USNS Martin
SS Pless (MEU)

USNS Pomeroy - USA

MV Fisher - USAF
MPSRON Two SS Cape Jacob - USN
MV Wheeler - DLA
MV Button (MEU) - Flagship
SS Kocak (MEU) Location: Guam/Saipan
USNS Lopez
SS Obregon (MEU)
USNS Stockham
USNS Williams

MV Bennett - USAF
MB Pitsenbarger - USAF
MV Carter - USA
MV Page - USA

Location: Diego Garcia

MPF-02 25
 Near-Future MPSRON

 Charters expire 2009-2011

– Hauge-class (Maersk) will be phased out in FY09
– Intent is to purchase KOCAK-class; pending Presidential budget
approval
 3 LMSRs integrated by FY10
– First LSMR – Sept 2008

Addition of two “Swing Ships”
– T-AOT – “POL Tanker”
– “Container Ship” – Black Bottom ship to be purchased by MSC
– Will offset bulk fuel and container loss from termination of Hauge-
class ships charter

MPF-02 26
 MPSRON Vessel Traits
 Built for Sealift, not for
combat
– Loaded to maximize

space and tonnage

 Ships designed for:
– Wheeled and tracked

vehicles
– Containers

– Bulk cargo (not all

ships)
– Temp. & humidity

control

MPF-02 27
 MPSRON Vessel Traits

Helicopter capable
– No maintenance or storage capability*


Not Warships
– Limited damage control

– No well deck

– Point defense, no Over-The-Horizon (OTH)

capability
– No Combat Information Center (CIC)


Small arm and crew-served weapons only

MPF-02 28
 MPSRON Vessel Traits
 Roll on/Roll off (RO/RO ramps and side ports)
 All MPS have single or twin cranes capable of
lifting in tandem to carry:
– Cargo
– Containers
– Wheeled and Tracked Vehicles
– Lighterage
 Gantry crane on Kocak-class
 Bulk liquid transfer systems
– LMSRs not capable
 Holds (Cargo-carrying section) & Hatches
MPF-02 29
Pilothouse MPF-02 30
 Flight

Deck
MPF-02 31
 Onboard

Cranes

MPF-02 32
Gantry Crane

MPF-02 33
Gantry Crane

MPF-02 34
Cargo Hold

MPF-02 35
Hatches

MPF-02 36
Lighterage on Deck
MPF-02 37
Lighterage on Deck

MPF-02 38
Selective Offload Capability?
MPF-02 39
Accessibility?
MPF-02 40
 Secure for Sea?
Corrosion Control?
MPF-02 41
Combat or
Admin Loaded?
MPF-02 42
Vehicle Clearance Issues?
MPF-02 43
MPF-02 44
Loading Expertise?
MPF-02 45
Stern Ramp

MPF-02 46
Stern Ramp – “Splashing”

MPF-02 47
Stern Ramp - Pierside

MPF-02 48
Roll on/Roll Off Schematic

MPF-02 49
Ship Interior

MPF-02 50
 Communications

 UHF SATCOM, VHF and HF communication

available on MSPRON flagships
– Alt Flagship has same communications suite
without Crypto equipment
– All MPS have Secure Voice (Crypto managed as
directed by COMPSRON)

MPF-02 51
 MPS Ships
HAUGE (5) BOBO (5) KOCAK (3)

MPF-E (3) LMSR (3)* SWING Ships (2)*

POL

CONTAINER
CONTAINER

MPF-02 52
 Kocak Class
(Waterman)


Converted RO/RO cargo ships
 3 ships – MSC intends to purchase
 Best LO/LO MPF-02 53
 LENGTH 821' JP-5 32,645 BBLS
BEAM 105' 6" POT WATER 2,189 BBLS
DRAFT 36' 6" MOGAS 3,717 BBLS
CRANE LIFT 1 TWIN 50T LIGHTERAGE 2 LCM-8
CAP FWD 1 SLWT
1 TWIN 35T AFT 4 CSP
1 GANTRY 30T 8 CSNP
FWD

CREW 29 OPP BERTHING 2 OFF 1 CPO

99 ENL
CONT CAP 532 (41 REFER) STERN RAMP 100T
SLEW 30 P/S
RO/RO CAP 152,236 SQ FT SIDE PORTS P/S
2.5 football NO RO/RO
fields

Kocak Class
MPF-02 54
MPF-02 55
 Bobo Class
(AMSEA)

 5 ships - built specifically for MPF role

MPF-02 56

USNS ships – owned and operated by MSC
 LENGTH 673’2" JP-5 26,047 BBLS
BEAM 105’6” POT WATER 1,800 BBLS
DRAFT 32'1" MOGAS 3,727 BBLS
CRANE LIFT 1 SINGLE 39T LIGHTERAGE 2 LCM-8
CAP FWD 1 SLWT
1 TWIN 39T 4 CSP
CNTR 6 CSNP
1 TWIN 39T AFT
CREW 30 OPP BERTHING 2 OFF 1 CPO
97 ENL
CONT CAP 530 (33 REFER) STERN RAMP 110'
BREAK-BULK N/A SLEW 39 TO
PORT

RO/RO CAP 152,185 SQ FT SIDE PORTS N/A

2.6 football flds

Bobo Class
MPF-02 57
MPF-02 58
Hauge Class
(Maersk)

 Contract phased out FY09


Will
MPF-02 be replaced by
59 LMSR
 LENGTH 755'5" JP-5 27,700 BBLS
BEAM 90' POT WATER 2,022 BBLS
DRAFT 32'10" MOGAS 3,865 BBLS
CRANE LIFT 1 TWIN 30T LIGHTERAGE 2 LCM-8
CAP FWD 1 SLWT
1 TWIN 30T 3 CSP
CNTR 5 CSNP
1 TWIN 36T AFT
CREW 27 OPP BERTHING 2 OFF 1 CPO
77 ENL
CONT CAP 384 (33 REFER) STERN RAMP 66T'
BREAK-BULK 78,680 CU FT SLEW 35 TO
STBD

RO/RO CAP 121,595 SQ FT SIDE PORTS P/S

2.1 football flds RAMPS
Hauge Class
MPF-02 60
 RO/RO
Cargo
General Cargo
Breakbulk Cargo
Liquid Cargo

Hauge Cla ss

MPF-02 61
Large, Medium-Speed, Roll-on/roll-off
(LSMR)

USNS Sisler - FY08 (MPSRON-1)

USNS Soderman - FY09 (MPSRON-3)
TBD - FY10 (MPSRON-2)
MPF-02 62
 LMSR

Built to offset shortage of military sealift after
Desert Storm
 Used by Army Prepositioned Afloat program
and Surge Sealift
 Using both side ramp and stern ram pierside,
able to offload the entire ship within 48 hours

Carries over 1100 vehicles: 58 tanks, 48
tracked and 900 wheeled vehicles- Most
capable RO/RO

393,000 square feet= 7 football fields
 1 LMSR= 300 C-17 or 220 C-5 loads
MPF-02 63
 LMSR


LMSRs, while longer at 950 feet, have the same maximum draft
as our current vessels.

have greater deck heights and strength capability to
accommodate the growth in equipment and armoring. (MRAPS,
etc)

lacks bulk liquid capabilities and reduced container stowage
capacity – offset by addition of POL and container “swing” ship
MPF-02 64
LMSR - Side Ramp

MPF-02 65
 LENGTH 951" JP-5 NONE
BEAM 106” POT WATER N/A BBLS
DRAFT 34" MOGAS N/A BBLS
CRANE LIFT 1 TWIN 60T LIGHTERAGE N/A
CAP FWD
1 TWIN 60T
AFT

CREW 26 OPP BERTHING 50*

CONT CAP N/A STERN RAMP 150 ft - 67 deg

BREAK-BULK N/A arc PORT OR
STBD

RO/RO CAP 393,000 SQ FT SIDE PORT PORT & STBD

7 football flds RAMP

LMSR (Watson Class) MPF-02 66

MPF-02 67
 MPF-Enhancement
MPF-E

 USNS Wheat (MPSRON-1)


USNS Stockham* (MPSRON-2)

USNS Martin (MPSRON-3)
MPF-02 68
 Enhancement Vessels
MPF(E)

1999-2001: 3 converted ships added to augment
original 13 ships
 Physically dissimilar – unique layout for each

Owned and operated by MSC – “USNS”
designators

Do not carry bulk fuels
 Carry the Roll-on/Roll-off Discharge Facility
(RRDF)
 *USNS Stock ham – modified for AFSB; missions
include Enhanced Maritime Interdiction
Operations (EMIO) ISO GWOT - Philippines
MPF-02 69
 Enhancement Vessels
MPF(E)
Adds:

USN Expeditionary Medical Facility

4000 ft Expeditionary Airfield (EAF)
 Navy Mobile Construction Battalion
(NMCB)

JTF/MARFOR HQ/ equipment
reconstitution - T/E restoration
MPF-02 70
 Expeditionary Airfield Field

 Subsystems include
– airfield surfacing systems – airfield lighting system
– aircraft recovery systems – communication system
– terminal guidance systems

MPF-02 71
 Aircraft Surfacing System

 AM2 Mat is a medium-duty, battle-proven airfield surfacing

system capable of rotary and fixed-wing aircraft.
 consists of 2-ft by 12-ft, and 2-ft by 6-ft aluminum panels
that are coated with an epoxy nonskid coating material

Profile: substantial weight and cube embarkation
MPF-02 72
 MPSRON 1 MPSRON 2 MPSRON 3
SHIP
CHARACTERISTICS USNS
USNS WHEAT USNS MARTIN
STOCKHAM
OVERALL LENGTH 864 FT 906 FT 754 FT

DRAFT (MAX-AFT) 35 FT 36 FT 33 FT 7 IN

DISPLACEMENT (LOADED) 50,059 LT 59,468 LT 47,799 LT

MAX SPEED 22 KNOTS 24 KNOTS 17 KNOTS

ENDURANCE (MAX SPEED) 16,000 NM 16,000 NM 16,000 NM

PROPULSION (2) GAS TURBINES (1) DIESEL

FUEL 50,000 SHP (1) SHAFT

CREW 33 29 24

LEVEL II CLASS 3 LEVEL II CLASS 3 LEVEL II CLASS 3

HELICOPTER CERTIFICATION LEVEL II CLASS 4 LEVEL II CLASS 4 LEVEL II CLASS 4
TYPE I TYPE I TYPE I

MAX 846 MAX 825 MAX 649

CONTAINER CAPACITY
MIN 313 MIN 110 MIN 223

JP-5 NONE NONE NONE

MOGAS 4,400 GALS 4,400 GALS 4,400 GALS

DF-2 TBD 1002 LT 12,116 BBLS

SINGLE 63.8 ST SINGLE 63.8 ST SINGLE 63.8 ST

CRANE LIFTING CAPACITY
TWIN 126.5 ST TWIN 126.5 ST TWIN 126.5 ST

STERN RAMP
71 LT 71 LT 71 LT
SIDE PORTS

1 SLWT, 2 CSP,
LIGHTERAGE 6 CNSP 6 CIN
5 CNSP

OPP BERTHING 2 OFF, 96 ENL 2 OFF, 81 ENL 2 OFF, 98 ENL

MAX 181,505 MAX 253,826 SQFT MAX 168,547 SQFT

RO/RO CAPACITY
3.1 Football Fields 4.3 Football Fields 2.9 Football Fields

MPF-02 73
 Swing Ships

POL
 Transfer and or lease a tanker ship in
FY 09

Lease a container ship in FY 09.

CONTAINER
MPF-02 74
 MPF Support Vessels

Not part of MPSRON

All maintained in a reduced operational
status (ROS: 4,5,10, 20)
 Hospital ships are operated by MSC
 Aviation Logistics Support Ships are
part of Ready Reserve Fleet (RRF)
under DOT, Maritime Administration
(MARAD)
MPF-02 75
 Mercy Class Hospital Ships
(T-AH)
 Floating surgical hospital
 Maintained in ROS 5 by 13 MSC civilians &
40 military
 Active manning
– 68 MSC Mariners, 820 Medical, 372 Support, 15
communicators
 Two Ships
– USNS Mercy

San Diego
– USNS Comfort

Baltimore
MPF-02 76
 Aviation Logistics Support
Ships (T-AVB)
 Sealift for Aviation Intermediate Maint (IMA) of MAGTF
ACE – loaded w/ Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron
(MALS) Mobile Facilities (MF)
– Secondary mission: resupply
 Maintained in ROS 5 by contractor
 Active manning
– 41 civilians
– 325 military

Two Ships
– SS Wright
 Baltimore

– SS Curtiss
 San Diego

MPF-02 77
 DETAILS T-AH T-AVB
LENGTH 894' 602'
BEAM 105'9" 90'
DRAFT 32'9" 29.8'
DISPLACE. 69,360T 23,800T

SPEED 17.5 KTS 23 KTS

RANGE 13,420 NM 10,000 NM
CONTAINERS 684 MAX
CAPACITY 50 BED TRIAGE

12 OPERATING ROOMS 352 IN IMA MODE

20 BED RECOVERY RM 186 FUNCTIONAL

80 BED ICU 80 SUPPLY & STORAGE

280 BED INT. CARE

120 LIGHT/500 BED LIM. CARE

SUPPORT SHIP PROFILES MPF-02 78

 Summary
 Three forward deployed squadrons

Five different classes of ship

MPS Vessel traits
 Mobile storage and transportation of
MAGTF equipment and supplies

With support vessels, MPSRON provides
rapid global response

MPF-02 79
Questions?

MPF-02 80
 MMC-9 Schedule

SHIP MPSRON CLASS OFFLOAD DATES LOAD DATES

USNS 2NDLT JOHN P. BOBO MPSRON-1 AMSEA F/MEU 30 MAY - 6 JUN 07 13 - 21 AUG 07
MV PFC WILLIAM B. BAUGH MPSRON-1 MAERSK 31 JUL - 8 AUG 07 15 - 24 OCT 07
SS PFC EUGENE A. OBREGON MPSRON-1 WATERMAN F/MEU 25 - 31 OCT 07 21 - 29 JAN 08

USNS PFC DEWAYNE WILLIAMS MPSRON-1 AMSEA 12 - 19 DEC 07 17 - 25 MAR 08

USNS LCPL ROY M. WHEAT MPSRON-1 KEYSTONE 26 MAR - 2 APR 08 9 - 17 JUN 08
MV SGT WILLIAM R. BUTTON MPSRON-2 AMSEA F/MEU 30 APR - 7 MAY 08 18 - 26 AUG 08
USNS 1STLT BALDOMERO LOPEZ MPSRON-2 AMSEA 27 AUG - 3 SEP 08 10 - 18 NOV 08
SS SGT MATEJ KOCAK MPSRON-2 WATERMAN MEU 23 - 29 OCT 08 26 JAN - 3 FEB 09
MV PVT FRANKLIN J. PHILLIPS MPSRON-2 MAERSK F 16 - 24 DEC 08 30 MAR - 8 APR 09
USNS GYSGT FRED W. STOCKHAM MPSRON-2 LMSR 18 - 25 MAR 09 1 - 9 JUN 09
MV CPL LOUIS J. HAUGE JR. MPSRON-3 MAERSK F 9 - 17 JUN 09 24 AUG - 2 SEP 09
SS MAJ STEPHEN W. PLESS MPSRON-3 WATERMAN MEU 16 - 22 JUL 09 26 OCT - 3 NOV 09
MV 1STLT ALEX BONNYMAN JR. MPSRON-3 MAERSK 13 - 21 OCT 09 4 - 13 JAN 10
MV PFC JAMES ANDERSON MPSRON-3 MAERSK 19 - 27 JAN 10 29 MAR - 7 APR 10
USNS 1ST LT JACK LUMMUS MPSRON-3 AMSEA F/MEU 17 - 24 MAR 10 7 - 15 JUN 10
MPF-02 81
USNS 1STLT HARRY L. MARTIN MPSRON-3 TARRAGO 12 - 19 MAY 10 2 - 10 AUG 10