SDDC making huge operation Iraqi Freedom equipment movements.

In the next three months, the Surface Deployment and Distribution Command is planning and implementing the largest movement of American military equipment since World War II.

In all, elements of 8 of 10 Army divisions will be moving to, or from, Operation Iraqi Freedom, in Iraq, and Operation Enduring Freedom, in Afghanistan.

Large movements of Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps equipment are planned as well.

The move is a "daunting" challenge, said Maj. Gen. Ann Dunwoody, Commander.

"We have to synchronize deploying and redeploying units," Dunwoody told a luncheon meeting of the Washington Chapter of the National Dcfense Transportation Association, on Jan. 15.

"We have out work cut out for us. We know where the challenges lie. We have the people to do the job."

Dunwoody stressed the importance of industry partners and their knowledge and contacts would assist meeting military mission requirements.

"Our focus is to support the men and women still deployed--still in harm's way. That's out No. #1 priority."

The movements, primarily involving East Coast and Gulf Coast ports with connections in Kuwait, may involve as many as 300 vessel movements, said Brig. Gen. Mark Scheid, Director of Operations/Deputy Commanding General.

The equipment moves will be one-third larger than the original Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment, Scheid told a meeting of American Flag liner executives Dec. 11 at SDDC Headquarters, in Alexandria, Va.

"There is an awful lot of movement in the next seven months," said Scheid.

The surge moves for deployment will take place in late January, said Scheid. The redeployment of equipment will surge in the spring.

Scheid said military and industry synchronization of the movements was critical.

Unit equipment will primarily move through Military Sealift Command charter ships. Containers, estimated at 16,000, will move by American Flag liner service vessels.

The primary point-of-entry in the theater will be the port of Ash

Shuaybah, Kuwait.

Goal of the movements, said Scheid, is to "load to the maximum."

The main domestic ports for the movements are the ports of Corpus Christi, Texas, Beaumont, Texas, Charleston, S.C.; and Philadelphia, Pa. Industry representatives were highly supportive of SDDC's mission.

"This information is excellent," said James Bambrick, vice-president government marketing for American Roll-on Roll-off Carrier, of Montvale, N.J. "It is a wonderful overview."

Scheid asked for industry suggestions to enhance SDDC's moves.

Several shipping executives suggested use of other ports in the region to increase berth capacities.

"We are working on that," said Scheid.

Use of an Iraqi port, said Scheid, would increase capacities.

Lars Magnvsson, of APL, suggested looking for opportunities to move unit equipment back from Iraq in empty containers.

"I agree with that," said Scheid. Many Army units will be on the move in the massive deployment and redeployment.

Army units to be returned to home stations include: 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), of Fort Campbell, Ky.; the 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas;

1st Armored Division, Wiesbaden, Germany; 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment (Light), Fort Polk, La.; 2nd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; and the 173rd Airborne Brigade, Vicenza, Italy.

Meanwhile, SDDC will deploy elements of the 1st Infantry Division, Wurzburg, Germany; 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; 25th Infantry Division (Light), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; and a Marine Air-Ground Task Force from the 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

While most units are going to Iraq, the 25th Infantry Division brigade and a U.S. Marine Corps battalion will succeed elements of the 10th Mountain Division in Afghanistan.

Several National Guard units will be deployed including: 30th Infantry Brigade (Mechanized), from N.C.; 81st Infantry Brigade (Mechanized) from Wash.; and the 39th Infantry Brigade (Light), from Ark.

Already deployed by SDDC in December was the 2nd Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade, Fort Lewis, Wash., the first contingency deployment of an Army unit equipped with Stryker armored vehicles.

When the moves are complete, United States deployed armed forces personnel in the two campaigns will drop from 130,000 to 105,000.