Site Best Viewed
At 800 X 600 Resolution

NavSource
Naval History

Photographic History Of The U.S. Navy

 MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND (MSC)
PREPOSITIONING SHIPS INDEX

NavSource Online: Auxiliary Ships Photo Archive

Please Report Any Broken Links Or Trouble You Might Come Across To The Webmaster.. Please Take A Moment To Let Us Know So That We Can Correct Any Problems And Make Your Visit As Enjoyable And As Informative As Possible.


MSC'S Prepositioning Program ships support the U.S. military's triad of power projection into the 21st century - sea shield, sea strike and sea basing. These ships are pre-loaded with military equipment and supplies needed for a war or other contingency. The ships are strategically positioned in key ocean areas, making it possible to deploy on short-notice the vital equipment, fuel, and supplies to initially support our military forces when ever needed.

Prepositioning ships are sub-divided into three separate categories, based on the U.S. military customers they support. The ships include: the Combat Prepositioning Force supporting the Army; the Maritime Prepositioning Force supporting the Marine Corps; and the Logistics Prepositioning Ships supporting the Navy, Defense Logistics Agency, and Air Force.

All prepositioning ships are under the operational control of MSC area commands, directly supporting the Navy's fleet commanders in chief. The actual day-to-day control of the ships is carried out by one of three MPS squadrons. Those squadrons, each commanded by a Navy captain, include: MPS Squadron One, usually located in the Mediterranean Sea and eastern Atlantic Ocean; MPS Squadron Two, usually located at Diego Garcia; MPS Squadron Three, normally in the Guam/Saipan area; and Afloat Prepositioning Squadron Four which supports Army prepositioning requirements in several regions of the world.
Container Ships
Capt. Stephen L. Bennett (T-AK-4296)
Maj. Benard F. Fisher (T-AK-4396)
LTC. John U. D. Page (T-AK-4496)
SSG Edward A. Carter, Jr. (T-AK-4544)
A1C William H. Pitsenbarger (T-AK-4638)
American Tern (T-AK-4729)
Container & Roll-on/Roll-off Ships
MV Merlin (T-AK-323) ex American Merlin T-AK-9302
MV CPL Louis J. Hauge Jr. (T-AK-3000)
MV PFC William B. Baugh (T-AK-3001)
MV PFC James Anderson Jr. (T-AK-3002)
MV 1ST LT Alex Bonnyman (T-AK-3003)
MV PVT Franklin J. Phillips (T-AK-3004)
SS SGT Matej Kocak (T-AK-3005)
SS PFC Eugene A. Obregon (T-AK-3006)
SS MAJ Stephen W. Pless (T-AK-3007)
MV 2nd Lt. John C. Bobo (T-AK-3008)
MV PFC Dewayne T. Williams (T-AK-3009)
MV 1st. Lt. Baldomero Lopez (T-AK-3010)
MV 1st. Lt. Jack Lummus (T-AK-3011)
MV Sgt. William R. Button (T-AK-3012)
USNS 1st. Lt. Harry L. Martin (T-AK-3015)
USNS LCPL Roy M. Wheat (T-AK-3016)
USNS GYSGT Fred W. Stockham (T-AK-3017)
ex Soderman (T-AKR-299)
Large, Medium-speed Roll-on/Roll-off Ships
USNS Watson (T-AKR-310)
USNS Sisler (T-AKR-311)
USNS Dahl (T-AKR-312)
USNS Red Cloud (T-AKR-313)
USNS Charlton (T-AKR-314)
USNS Watkins (T-AKR-315)
USNS Pomeroy (T-AKR-316)
USNS Soderman (T-AKR-317)
Transport Oilers
USNS Paul Buck (T-AOT-1122)
USNS Samuel L. Cobb (T-AOT-1123)
USNS Richard G. Matthiesen (T-AOT-1124)
USNS Lawrence H. Gianella (T-AOT-1125)
SS Chesapeake (T-AOT-5084)
SS Petersburg (T-AOT-9191)
Aviation Logistic Ships
SS Wright (T-AVB-3)
SS Curtiss (T-AVB-4)

Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadrons
Back To The Military Sealift Command (MSC) Ships and Vessels Index
Back To The Service Force Auxiliaries and Miscellaneous Ship Type Index
Comments, Suggestions, E-mail Webmaster.
This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
© 2005 Gary P. Priolo © 1996 - 2006 NavSource History All rights reserved.