Last week, as part of a U.S. Army exercise with NATO allies, the 842nd Military Transportation Battalion deployed 1,500 pieces of military equipment, including vehicles and aircraft, to the Port of Beaumont. Although port operations were completed within a matter of days, the mission required months of planning by military logisticians in coordination with the Port of Beaumont, the U. S. Coast Guard, ILA longshore labor partners and Cooper/Ports America. As the premier and long-term contracted stevedore and terminal operator in Texas for the 842nd Transportation Battalion, C/PA, with Beaumont’s ILA workforce, and cooperation of the Port of Beaumont, safely and efficiently handled all in and out movements for cargo, including vessel load and unloads, terminal receipt, and delivery of inland transportation.
"We have some of the best and most highly trained people from Southeast Texas working together to quickly and efficiently move the equipment necessary to build U.S. military readiness and interoperability with allies," Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Gordon Vincent said. "They are professionals who are committed to their country, their mission and their colleagues."
The 842nd Transportation Battalion routinely conducts vessel loading missions for military operations around the world, but this mission stood out due to its scale – two vessels were required to move cargo instead of one, as is common. Once loaded aboard two commercial sea lifts, the cargo was transported in support of the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade's training exercise in Europe.
The 842nd Transportation Battalion is the gateway for the movement of military cargo through the Gulf Coast and represents the military's lifeline in supporting the warfighter at home and abroad. The battalion's primary mission is to conduct surface deployment and distribution through terminals and facilities on the western Gulf Coast through its four strategic seaports (Beaumont, Port Arthur, Corpus Christi and Gulfport, Mississippi) for overseas operations.
Header photo: The Beaumont Enterprise
Additional photos: Fox 4, Beaumont