Improved U.S. Navy Lighterage System enables dynamic logistical support

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Naval Forces News - USA
 
 
 
Improved U.S. Navy Lighterage System enables dynamic logistical support
 
By MC2 Joshua Fulton
Navy Maritime Prepositioning Force ships USNS Pililaau (T-AK 304) and USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo (T-AK 3008) successfully utilized the Improved Navy Lighterage System (INLS) to discharge equipment and cargo in support of Combined Joint Logistics Over The Shore (CJLOTS) 2017, April 8-12.
     
Improved U.S. Navy Lighterage System enables dynamic logistical supportSailors from Navy Cargo Handling Battalion 1 position operate a power module during operations to assemble the Improved Navy Lighterage System, April 9. (U.S. Navy/MC2 Joshua Fulton)
     
The INLS is a sea state three (SS3) capable causeway system that resembles a floating pier comprised of interchangeable modules and is used to transfer cargo from Military Sealift Command (MSC) ships to shore areas where conventional port facilities are unavailable or inadequate.

The successful deployment of the INLS for CJLOTS 2017 demonstrates the U.S. and Republic of Korea's (ROK) ability to transfer cargo from ships anchored at sea to the shore, improving logistics interoperability, communication and cooperation between the U.S. and the ROK.

"Training with our allied partners using this system is of the utmost importance," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jokim Davis, Combat Logistics Regiment 35. "By doctrine, we can offload without coming into view of the beach, so we can be over the horizon, 12 to 30 miles out, and discharge equipment outside of view. It improves our response time, as now we don't have to look for a pier that can support the ramp and the equipment to be offloaded."
     
Improved U.S. Navy Lighterage System enables dynamic logistical supportPOHANG, Republic of Korea (April 10, 2017) U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Army personnel offload equipment from the Military Sealift Command maritime prepositioning force ship USNS Pililaau (T-AK 304). The offload utilized a roll-on, roll-off discharge facility anchored off the coast of Pohang during the Combined Joint Logistics Over the Shore (CJLOTS) exercise. CJLOTS is a biennial exercise conducted by military and civilian personnel from the United States and the Republic of Korea, training to deliver and redeploy military cargo as a part of exercise Foal Eagle 2017. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua Fulton/Released)
     
The INLS is comprised of various pontoon sections that can be assembled in a variety of ways to create a Roll-on/Roll-off Discharge Facility (RRDF). MSC prepositioning ships discharge equipment onto the RRDF, then onto lighterage, such as barge ferries or landing craft utilities, for transportation to the shore.

"The RRDF enables us to do ship to shore movement in any situation," said Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Kasey Murchison, Amphibious Construction Battalion One. "This capability provides us the ability to respond more quickly as we can have the RRDF offloaded from the MSC ship and assembled within 36 hours."

Utilizing the Instream Discharge and Lighterage Operations, U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Army exercise participants offloaded approximately 620 pieces of rolling stock and containers while ROK forces offloaded approximately 1,600 tons of rolling stock and materials.

MSC operates approximately 120 non-combatant, merchant mariner-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships at sea, conduct specialized missions, strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world and move military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces.
     
Improved U.S. Navy Lighterage System enables dynamic logistical supportPOHANG, Republic of Korea (April 9, 2017) Sailors, attached to Amphibious Construction Battalion 1 and 2, haul in a spring line to secure the Improved Navy Lighterage System Roll-on/Roll-off Discharge Facility to the ramp of USNS Pililaau (T-AKR 304) during Operation Pacific Reach Exercise 2017 (OPRex17). OPRex17 is a bilateral training event designed to ensure readiness and sustain the ROK-U.S. Alliance by exercising an Area Distribution Center (ADC), an Air Terminal Supply Point (ATSP), Combined Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (CLOTS), and the use of rail, inland waterways, and coastal lift operations to validate the operational reach concept. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric Chan /Released)
     
CJLOTS is a biennial exercise conducted by military and civilian personnel from the United States and the Republic of Korea, training to deliver and redeploy military cargo as a part of Operation Pacific Reach Exercise (OPRex) 2017.

OPRex17 is a bilateral training event that highlights combined and joint multi-domain, multi-nodal capabilities by exercising an Area Distribution Center (ADC), an Air Terminal Supply Point (ATSP) Logistics Over the Shore (LOTS), and the use of rail, inland waterways, and costal lift operations to validate the operational reach concept. OPRex17 is a part of the annual Korean Peninsula defense exercise Foal Eagle 2017.