View source for Strategic sealift ships

{{Short description|United States military ship category}}[[File:PFC William B Baugh (ship).jpg|thumb|''PFC William B. Baugh'' docked at [[Port Canaveral]], Florida, in 2008]]{{Use American English|date=January 2019}}[[File:Saipan 2011 362.jpg|thumb|right|USNS ''PFC Dewayne T. Williams'', USNS ''Dahl'', and USNS ''Maj. Stephen W. Pless'' anchored off the coast of [[Saipan]] in June 2011]]

'''Strategic sealift ships''' or '''Maritime prepositioning ships''' are part of the United States [[Military Sealift Command]]'s (MSC) prepositioning program. There are currently 17<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.msc.usff.navy.mil/Ships/Prepositioning-PM3/| title = Prepositioning (PM3)}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> ships in the program, strategically positioned around the world to support the [[United States Army|Army]], [[United States Navy|Navy]], [[United States Air Force|Air Force]], [[United States Marine Corps|Marine Corps]] and [[Defense Logistics Agency]]. Most are named after [[Medal of Honor]] [[List of Medal of Honor recipients|recipients]] from the service they support.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|publisher=[[United States Navy]] [[Military Sealift Command]]|title=Military Sealift Command Ship Inventorydate=|access-date=2012-03-02|url=http://www.msc.navy.mil/inventory/inventory.asp?var=PM3|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121212031705/http://www.msc.navy.mil/inventory/inventory.asp?var=PM3|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|publisher=[[National Defense University (Washington, D.C.)|National Defense University]]|location=[[Washington, D.C.]]|title=Army Prepositioning Afloat|journal=[[Joint Force Quarterly]]|date=Spring 1994|access-date=2012-03-02|first1=BGen Robert A. |last1=Chilcoat|first2=Maj David S. |last2=Henderson|pages=51&ndash;57|url=http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/jel/jfq_pubs/jfq1004.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011116115041/http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/jel/jfq_pubs/jfq1004.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 November 2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=2012-03-02|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/aps-3.htm|work=GlobalSecurity.org|title=Army Prepositioned Stock (APS-3)}}</ref> The ships are assigned to two<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.msc.navy.mil/sealift/2012/November/mpsronone.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130223213848/http://www.msc.navy.mil/sealift/2012/November/mpsronone.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 February 2013 |title=MPSRON ONE is disestablished |publisher=United States Navy's Military Sealift Command |date=November 2012 |access-date=26 April 2018}}</ref> Maritime Prepositioning Ship (MPS) [[Squadron (naval)|squadron]]s<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.msc.navy.mil/pm3/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010124104700/http://www.msc.navy.mil/PM3/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 January 2001 |title=Prepositioning (PM3) |publisher=United States Navy's Military Sealift Command |access-date=26 April 2018}}</ref> located in the [[Indian Ocean]] at [[Diego Garcia]] and in the [[Western Pacific Ocean]] at [[Guam]] and [[Saipan]]. 

The MPS ships in each squadron have sufficient equipment, supplies and ammunition to support a [[Marine Air-Ground Task Force]] for 30 days. The MPS ships are self-sustaining, with [[Crane (machine)|crane]]s to unload at sea or pierside. MSC [[Chartering (shipping)|chartered]] the first two ship classes in the MPS role (the ''Corporal Louis J. Hauge Jr.'' and ''Sergeant Matej Kocak'' classes) from [[civilian]] [[shipping line]]s and converted them. Later ships were purpose-built.

Afloat prepositioning by US military began in the early 1980s to improve the response time for the delivery of equipment and supplies to a potential theater of operation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.msc.navy.mil/pm3/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010124104700/http://www.msc.navy.mil/PM3/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 January 2001 |title=Prepositioning (PM3) |publisher=United States Navy's Military Sealift Command |access-date=26 April 2018}}</ref> 

==Ships==
===''Sergeant Matej Kocak'' class===
[[File:USNS PFC Eugene A. Obregon (T-AK-3006) underway at sea on 24 September 2019 (190924-N-BI924-9780).JPG|thumb|right|{{USNS|PFC Eugene A. Obregon|T-AK-3006|6}}]]
The ''Sergeant Matej Kocak'' class, the second class of MPS ships chartered by MSC, also gained {{convert|157|ft|m|0}} amidships and a [[helicopter deck]] after conversion. These ships, delivered to MSC in the mid-1980s, built at [[Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.]], [[Chester, Pennsylvania]], and converted at [[National Steel and Shipbuilding Company]], [[San Diego]].  They were previously owned by [[Waterman Steamship Corporation]] but recently sold to MSC and now operated by [[Keystone Shipping Company]]. They were all part of the [[Type C7 ship#Waterman Line C7-S-133a Series|Waterman Line C7-S-133a Series]].
* Builder: [[Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.]], Chester, PA; [[Fore River Shipyard|General Dynamics Quincy Shipbuilding Division]], Quincy, Massachusetts
* Converted:  [[National Steel and Shipbuilding Company]], San Diego, California
* Power Plant: 2 boilers; 2 GE turbines; {{convert|30,000|hp|abbr=on|0}}; 1 shaft
* Length: {{convert|821.0|ft|m|abbr=on|1}}
* Beam: {{convert|105.6|ft|m|abbr=on|1}}
* Displacement: 48,754 tons (49,536 metric tons) full load
* Crew: 34 civilians, 10 technicians
* Cargo capacity: Containers, 532; [[ro-ro]], {{convert|152,236|ft2|m2|abbr=on|0}}; JP-5 barrels, 20,290; DF-2 barrels, 12,355; [[Avgas|Mogas]] barrels, 3,717; stable water, 2,189; cranes, two twin 50-ton and one 30-ton gantry
* Helicopters: platform only
* Speed: {{convert|20|kn|lk=in|kph|0}}
;Ships:
** {{USNS|Sgt. Matej Kocak|T-AK-3005}} (formerly SS ''Sgt. Matej Kocak'', SS ''John B. Waterman'')
** {{USNS|PFC Eugene A. Obregon|T-AK-3006}} (formerly SS ''PFC Eugene A. Obregon'', SS ''Thomas Heywood'')
** {{USNS|Maj. Stephen W. Pless|T-AK-3007}} (formerly SS ''Maj. Stephen W. Pless'', SS ''Charles Carroll'')

===''2nd Lieutenant John P. Bobo'' class===
The ''2nd Lieutenant John P. Bobo''-class ships are new construction ships delivered to MSC in the mid-1980s from [[General Dynamics Quincy Shipbuilding Division]], [[Quincy, Massachusetts]] They were owned by [[American Overseas Marine]] (AMSEA) but have been recently sold to MSC and are now operated by Crowley Technical Management.
* Builders: [[Fore River Shipyard|General Dynamics Quincy Shipbuilding Division]], Quincy, Massachusetts
* Power Plant: 2 [[Stork-Werkspoor]] 16TM410 diesels; {{convert|27,000|hp|kW|abbr=on|0}} sustained; 1 Omnithruster JT1000 bow thruster, {{convert|1000|hp|kW|abbr=on|0}}
* Length: {{convert|675.2|ft|m|abbr=on|1}}
* Beam: {{convert|105.5|ft|m|abbr=on|1}}
* Displacement: 44,330 tons (45,041 metric tons) full load
* Cargo capacity: Containers, 530; ro-ro, {{convert|152,185|ft2|m2|abbr=on|0}}; JP-5 barrels, 20,776; DF-2 barrels, 13,334; Mogas barrels, 4,880; stable water, 2,357; cranes, one single and two twin 39-ton
* Helicopters: platform only
* Speed: {{convert|17.7|kn|kph|0}}
* Crew: 38 civilians, 10 technicians
** {{USNS|2nd Lt. John P. Bobo|T-AK-3008}} (formerly MV ''2nd Lt. John P. Bobo'')
** {{USNS|PFC Dewayne T. Williams|T-AK-3009}} (formerly MV ''PFC Dewayne T. Williams'')
** {{USNS|1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez|T-AK-3010}} (formerly MV ''1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez'')
** {{USNS|1st Lt. Jack Lummus|T-AK-3011}} (formerly MV ''1st Lt. Jack Lummus'')
** {{USNS|Sgt. William R. Button|T-AK-3012}} (formerly MV ''Sgt. William R. Button'')

===''Capt Steven L. Bennett'' class===
* Length:  {{convert|687|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on|1}}
* Beam:  {{convert|100|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on|1}}
* Draft:  {{convert|38|ft|1|in|m|abbr=on|1}}
* Displacement:  {{convert|52,878|LT|t|abbr=on|0}}
* Speed:  {{convert|18.3|kn|kph|1}}
* Civilian:  24 contract mariners
** {{MV|Capt. Steven L. Bennett|T-AK-4296}}

===''Maj. Bernard F. Fisher'' class===
* Length:  {{convert|652|ft|m|abbr=on|0}}
* Beam:  {{convert|105|ft|m|abbr=on|0}}
* Draft:  {{convert|34|ft|m|abbr=on|0}}
* Displacement: {{convert|48,000|LT|t|abbr=on|0}}
* Speed:  {{convert|19|kn|kph|0}}
* Civilian:  24 contract mariners
** {{MV|Maj. Bernard F. Fisher|T-AK-4396}}

===''1st Lt. Harry L. Martin'' class===
* Length:  {{convert|754|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on|1}}
* Beam:  {{convert|105|ft|10|in|m|abbr=on|1}}
* Draft:  {{convert|35|ft|11|in|m|abbr=on|1}}
* Displacement:  {{convert|51,531|LT|t|abbr=on|0}}
* Speed:  {{convert|17|kn|kph|0}}
* Civilian:  25 contract mariners
** {{USNS|1st Lt. Harry L. Martin|T-AK-3015}}

===''LCPL Roy M. Wheat'' class===
* Length: {{convert|863|ft|2|in|m|abbr=on|1}}
* Beam:  {{convert|98|ft|5|in|m|abbr=on|1}}
* Draft:  {{convert|35|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on|1}}
* Displacement:  {{convert|50,570|LT|t|abbr=on|0}}
* Speed: {{convert|20.5|kn|kph|0}}
* Civilian:  29 contract mariners
** {{USNS|LCPL Roy M. Wheat|T-AK-3016}}

===''LTC John U. D. Page'' class===
* Length:  {{convert|949.8|ft|m|abbr=on|1}}
* Beam:  {{convert|105.9|ft|m|abbr=on|1}}
* Draft:  {{convert|35.0|ft|m|abbr=on|1}}
* Displacement:  {{convert|74,500|LT|t|abbr=on|0}}
* Speed:  {{convert|18|kn|kph|0}}
* Civilian:  20 contract mariners
** {{MV|LTC John U.D. Page|T-AK-4496}}
** {{MV|SSG Edward A. Carter|T-AK-4544}}

==High-speed vessels==
===''HSV 2'' class===
* Length:  {{convert|331|ft|4|in|m|abbr=on|1}}
* Beam:  {{convert|87|ft|5|in|m|abbr=on|1}}
* Draft:  {{convert|11|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on|1}}
* Displacement: {{convert|1,463.6|ST|abbr=on|0}}
* Speed:  {{convert|35|kn|kph|0}}
* Civilian:  17 contract mariners
* Military:  as required by mission
** {{ship|HSV-2|Swift}}

==Large, medium-speed roll-on/roll-off ships==
===''Watson'' class===
The {{sclass|Watson|vehicle cargo ship|4}} of [[LMSR (Ship)|LMSR]] built at [[National Steel and Shipbuilding Company]] in [[San Diego]]
* Length:  {{convert|950|ft|m|abbr=on|0}}
* Beam:  {{convert|106|ft|m|abbr=on|0}}
* Draft:  {{convert|34|ft|m|abbr=on|0}}
* Displacement:  {{convert|62,644|LT|t|abbr=on|0}}
* Power Plant: 2 GE Marine LM 2500 [[gas turbine]]s; {{convert|64,000|hp|kW|abbr=on|0}}; 2 shafts, [[controllable pitch propeller|cp props]]
* Speed:  {{convert|24|kn|kph|0}}
* Civilian:  30 contract mariners
* Military:  5
;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}}

==Tankers==
* Length:  {{convert|615|ft|m|abbr=on|0}}
* Beam:  {{convert|90|ft|m|abbr=on|0}}
* Draft:  {{convert|36|ft|m|abbr=on|0}}
* Displacement:  {{convert|39,624|LT|t|abbr=on|0}}
* Speed:  {{convert|16.0|kn|kph|0}}
* Civilian:  24 contract mariners
** {{USNS|Lawrence H. Gianella|T-AOT-1125}}

==Offshore petroleum distribution system==
* Length:  {{convert|348.5|ft|m|abbr=on|1}}
* Beam:  {{convert|70|ft|m|abbr=on|1}}
* Draft:  {{convert|26.0|ft|m|abbr=on|1}}
* Displacement:
* Speed:  {{convert|15|kn|kph|0}}
* Civilian:  26 contract mariners
** {{USNS|VADM K.R. Wheeler|T-AG-5001}}

==Activated Ready Reserve Force ships==
The following are part of the [[National Defense Reserve Fleet]] but have been activated and are pre-positioned.

===Modular cargo delivery system ship===
* Length:  {{convert|565|ft|m|abbr=on|0}}
* Beam:  {{convert|76|ft|m|abbr=on|0}}
* Draft:  {{convert|31|ft|m|abbr=on|0}}
* Displacement:  {{convert|22,929|LT|t|abbr=on|0}}
* Speed:  {{convert|17.0|kn|kph|0}}
* Civilian:  38 contract mariners
** {{SS|Cape Jacob|T-AK 5029}}

===''Wright'' class===
Dedicated to USMC aviation logistics support
* Length:  {{convert|602|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on|0}}
* Beam:  {{convert|90|ft|2|in|m|abbr=on|0}}
* Draft:  {{convert|32|ft|10|in|m|abbr=on|0}}
* Displacement:  {{convert|23,800|LT|t|abbr=on|0}}
* Speed:  {{convert|19|kn|kph|0}}
* Civilian:  41 contract mariners
;Ships:
** {{SS|Wright|T-AVB-3}}
** {{SS|Curtiss|T-AVB-4}}

==Former ships==
===''Buffalo Soldier'' class===
* Length:  {{convert|670|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on|1}}
* Beam:  {{convert|87|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on|1}}
* Draft:  {{convert|34|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on|1}}
* Displacement:  {{convert|26,378|LT|abbr=on}}
* Speed:  {{convert|16|kn|kph|0}}
* Civilian:  21 contract mariners
;Ships:
** {{MV|Buffalo Soldier|T-AK-9301}}
** {{MV|TSgt John A. Chapman|T-AK 323}}

===''Corporal Louis J. Hauge Jr.'' class===
{{anchor|Corporal Louis J. Hauge, Jr. class}}
Named for [[Medal of Honor]] recipient [[Louis J. Hauge Jr.]] USMC, the ''Corporal Louis J. Hauge Jr.'' class is the original class of MPS ships chartered by Military Sealift Command. The five ships are [[Maersk Line]] ships converted by [[Bethlehem Steel]]. During conversion, the ships gained an additional {{convert|157|ft|m|0}} amidships and a helicopter landing pad, among other things. They have since been returned to Maersk for commercial use and are no longer part of the MPS program.
* Builder: [[Odense Staalskibsvaerft A/S]], Lindo
* Power Plant: 1 Sulzer 7RND76M diesel; {{convert|16,800|hp|kW|abbr=on|0}}; 1 shaft; bow thruster
* Length: {{convert|755|ft|m|abbr=on|0}}
* Beam: {{convert|90|ft|m|abbr=on|0}}
* Displacement: {{convert|46,552|LT|t|abbr=on|0}} full load
* Speed: {{convert|17.5|kn|kph|0}}
;Ships:
** [[MV Cpl. Louis J. Hauge Jr.|MV ''Cpl. Louis J. Hauge Jr.'' (T-AK 3000)]] (formerly MV ''Estelle Maersk'')
** {{MV|PFC William B. Baugh |T-AK-3001}} (formerly MV ''Eleo Maersk'')
** {{MV|PFC James Anderson Jr.|T-AK 3002}} (formerly MV ''Emma Maersk'')
** {{MV|1st Lt. Alex Bonnyman|T-AK-3003}} (formerly MV ''Emilie Maersk'')
** {{MV|Pvt. Franklin J. Phillips|T-AK-3004}} (formerly ''Pvt. Harry Fisher'', MV ''Evelyn Maersk'')
* Crew: 32 civilians, 10 technicians

==See also==
*{{MV|Virginian (T-AK 9205)}}

==Further reading==
*'The Maritime Prepositioning Force and the U.S. Marines,' Asia-Pacific Defense Forum, Spring 1999
*{{cite web
|url= http://www.msc.navy.mil/mpstwo/
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20010502152638/http://www.msc.navy.mil/mpstwo/
|url-status= dead
|archive-date= 2 May 2001
|title= Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadron Two
|access-date= 17 January 2010
|author= Military Sealift Command
|author-link= Military Sealift Command
|quote= MPS Squadron Two ships operate out of [[Diego Garcia]], [[British Indian Ocean Territory]].
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}

{{US Navy navbox}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Maritime Prepositioning Ship}}
[[Category:Ship types]]
[[Category:United States Navy]]
[[Category:Auxiliary ships of the United States Navy]]