Old hand returns to MTMC Operations Center duties.

The man who, in voice and persona, symbolically represented MTMC's former Command Operations Center in Alexandria is back in the fight.

Rick Shilby, who has worked and briefed the command's many and varied operations since the Desert Storm conflict, is back in action. Shilby, 52, reported for duty Aug. 22 to the MTMC Operations Center at Fort Eustis, Va.

"I'm looking forward to it," said Shilby. "It'll be great to be a part of the new Operations Center."

In his new job, Shilby will be the team leader of the Terminal Requirements Team. In this position, he will work a number of high-visibility transportation issues, including those involving arms, ammunitions and explosives shipments, and foreign military sales.

Since the Operations Center was created at Fort Eustis on Nov. 7, 2001, a total of 20 employees from Alexandria have volunteered to work there. Three supervisors--Patty Maloney, John Piparato and Greg Sweetland--went earlier this year. Now, other members of the former operations staff are transferring.

Shilby was well known by scores of successive MTMC military officers and civilians for his calm briefing style and knowledgeable responses. Many times, Shilby would command the staff's sole attention because he alone could answer questions on the latest information on a transportation action. His secret, Shilby once confided, was making last-minute phone calls to the field and quickly reviewing all incoming e-mail moments before the start of an operations meeting.

Shilby has been working recruit actions in the Passenger Division since the MTMC Alexandria Operations Center closed in December 2001.

With Rick, favorite stories abound. One story--among many--was our joint mission to Rijeka, Croatia, in late February 1999.

It was early on a Sunday morning when we crossed the border into Slovenia. In the high country east of Italy, snow clung to the low depressions and shadows in the rugged countryside. Polka music bubbled out of the radio of our tiny rental car.

We skirted the seaport of Koper, Slovenia and drove the picturesque kilometers to Rijeka Croatia on the coastal road. Soon, we were descending the road's sharp curves as it reaches the outer environs of Rijeka. The dramatic blue of the Adriatic Sea periodically came into view, shrouded in ocean mists.

Suddenly, Shilby exclaimed, "There's a ship coming in--it looks like an FSS (Fast Sealift Ship)!"

So it was--the USNS Antares was making a majestic entrance to Rijeka. A short time later, we greeted old friends at dockside among MTMC transporters awaiting the vessel's arrival to discharge the equipment of a task force of 1st Cavalry Division, bound for Bosnia.

Rick's timing was exactly on the mark--as I'm sure it will be in his new assignment with MTMC Operations in Ft. Eustis.

Welcome back to the fight, Rick!

By John Randt
Command Affairs Officer
MTMC Headquarters Alexandria