A local view of the Defense Transportation System.

Most Americans watching the ongoing buildup of US forces in the Middle East have no appreciation for the role transportation plays in the process. The troops and their equipment somehow materialize overseas as if by magic. Those of us in cities like Charleston, SC, however, see firsthand what it takes to expeditiously project US armed forces where they are needed, when they are needed. For instance, the men and women of the Air Force Mobility Command's (AMC) 437th Military Airlift Wing and its support units at Charleston Air Force Base have been deeply involved in supporting military operations in the Middle East ever since the horrific events of September 11, 2001. It became obvious very early in Operation Enduring Freedom that the C-17 was the only aircraft in the fleet capable of doing what needed to be done. The workload for base aircraft and personnel is staggering, not only in terms of time but also in global scope. And to complicate things further, weather damage at Dover Air Force Base in February forced the relocation of cargo handling operations from there to Charleston, significantly increasing the workload for the 437th Aerial Port Squadron. Indeed, the flight line today at Charleston contains not only C-17s, but also commercial Boeing 747s and DC-10s that are assisting in the movement of material to Europe and points beyond.

In addition, the personnel of MTMC's 841st Transportation Battalion have been doing yeomen work in loading civilian and Military Sealift Command (MSC) ships with all types of equipment in support of the buildup. Though relatively unknown outside of military circles, the Light Medium Speed Roll-on/Roll-off vessel (LMSR) is truly an imposing ship. At almost 1000 feet in length, it carries an astounding amount of cargo, all of which passes through MTMC's facilities at the North Charleston terminal. And, as is always the case, "normal" tasks can't be put on hold to accommodate the heightened workload; so personal property/household goods, POVs, and day-to-day replenishment cargoes still have to move as well. MSC is also very much a fixture here by virtue of the ship management and planning efforts they run from their local office.

Another Charleston unit with a dramatically increased workload is the United States Coast Guard's Marine Safety Office-Charleston. As the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has coalesced and implemented increased port protection requirements, the USCG has had to adjust their enforcement efforts accordingly. Again, day-to-day port activities continue concurrently with increased defense readiness: commercial vessels come and go, rescue operations are still required, and pleasure boating continues pretty much unabated. In other words, the peacetime mission of the Coast Guard must still be performed along with the new DHS and national security mandates.

Of course, there are numerous other waterfront organizations participating in these activities as well, but space constraints preclude mentioning them all and acknowledging their many contributions. I have frequent contact with many of the people directly involved in all of these efforts, and continue to be impressed with their energy, enthusiasm, dedication, and commitment to excellence. These folks are making a tremendous, though often behind-the-scenes, contribution to the nation's war-fighting capability, and I'm proud to know every one of them. Hardly a day goes by that I don't see a C-17 departing from, or returning to, Charleston AFB, or an LMSR heading downriver on its way to the Middle East, and I never fail to be impressed by the capability those resources represent. All transporters, active duty or retired, military or civilian, can be proud of their involvement with the Defense Transportation System. Together, we've developed and are sustaining an awesome strategic resource that is unique in the w orld. I salute you all.