Fast Sealift Ships are currently the fastest cargo ships in the world, capable of speeds in excess of 30 knots. Originally built in 1972 and 1973 as high-speed container ships for Sea-Land Services, Inc., the ships' high operating costs limited their profitability. All eight ships were acquired by the US Navy in 1981 and 1982, with the last ship converted, recommissioned and delivered to Military Sealift Command in 1986. The conversion entailed the installation of four cranes, addition of roll on/roll off capability and a redesign of the cargo hold to better facilitate storage of vehicles. Due largely to their high cost of operation, all fast sealift ships are kept in Reduced Operating Status, but can be activated and ready to sail in 96 hours. 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday. ... Categories: Stub | Commercial item transport and distribution | Ship types ... The United States Navy (USN) is the branch of the United States armed forces responsible for naval operations. ... 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Military Sealift Command (MSC) is a United States Navy (USN) organization that controls most of the replenishment and military transport ships of the Navy. ... 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Skaugran Oslo Loading a Ro Ro passenger car ferry The Cetus Leader A Canadian RORO Ferry A PCC ships starboard side showing side ramp. ...

Service

All eight ships took part in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, delivering thirteen percent of all the cargo transported between the United States and Saudi Arabia during and after the Persian Gulf War. Fast sealift ships have taken part in Operations Restore Hope, Joint Guardian, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom in addition to humanitarian relief efforts across the globe. See also: 2003 invasion of Iraq and Gulf War (disambiguation) C Company, 1st Battalion, The Staffordshire Regiment, 1st UK Armoured Division The Persian Gulf War was a conflict between Iraq and a coalition force of 34 nations led by the United States. ... See also: 2003 invasion of Iraq and Gulf War (disambiguation) C Company, 1st Battalion, The Staffordshire Regiment, 1st UK Armoured Division The Persian Gulf War was a conflict between Iraq and a coalition force of 34 nations led by the United States. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Operation Joint Guardian was an military operation that occured inside the region of Kosovo, located inside the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. ... Combatants United States United Kingdom France Canada Australia New Zealand Germany Philippines Northern Alliance Taliban al-Qaeda Abu Sayyaf Jemaah Islamiyah Commanders General Tommy Franks Brig. ... For other uses of the term, see Iraq war (disambiguation) The 2003 invasion of Iraq (also called the 2nd or 3rd Persian Gulf War) began on March 20, 2003, when forces belonging primarily to the United States and the United Kingdom invaded Iraq arguably without the explicit backing of the...

Fast Sealift Ships

• USNS Algol (T-AKR-287) (formerly MV Sea-Land Exchange)
• USNS Bellatrix (T-AKR-288) (formerly MV Sea-Land Trade)
• USNS Denebola (T-AKR-289) (formerly MV Sea-Land Resource)
• USNS Pollux (T-AKR-290) (formerly MV Sea-Land Market)
• USNS Altair (T-AKR-291) (formerly MV Sea-Land Finance)
• USNS Regulus (T-AKR-292) (formerly MV Sea-Land Commerce)
• USNS Capella (T-AKR-293) (formerly MV Sea-Land McLean)
• USNS Antares (T-AKR-294) (formerly MV Sea-Land Galloway)

External links

• [1] Military Sealift Command fact sheet.