Charleston ILA Longshoremen Awarded for Military Sealift Support

Photo By Master Sgt. Kevin Young | Charleston International Longshoremen's Association longshoremen load and lash mine resistant vehciles in the cargo hold of a military cargo vessel, Charleston, SC 2008.  

06.30.2008

Story by Maj. Christopher LeCron 

841st Transportation Battalion

The Charleston International Longshoremen's Association was recognized by the local military seaport unit, the 841st Transportation Battalion, with an award ceremony for their outstanding terminal support of military sealift operations during the Global War on Terror. The ceremony was held June 24, 2008, at the military cargo pier in Charleston, SC, prior to a military sealift operation.

Ken Riley, President of the local Charleston ILA, received the award from Lt. Col. Randolph Haufe, commander of the Army seaport unit that manages terminal operations in Charleston and Savannah.

"We gladly accept this award," said Riley. "The Charleston ILA has a strong history of shipping military cargo here."

In addition to loading and discharging one military cargo vessel every three days with various military cargo, the ILA has successfully shipped over 4500 life-saving mine resistant vehicles to the Middle East since November 2007. Although last-minute changes in size and weight of MRAP vehicles have created challenges, the ILA has flawlessly worked through all of the issues and successfully loaded these vehicles with no serious safety or security incidents.

"Without the ILA members, we would have to bring in potentially hundreds of soldiers to the seaport for loading operations," said Haufe. "The use of the ILA allows soldiers to have time at home with families and be ready for the next mobilization or deployment."

Since the Charleston seaport is a major hub for shipping military cargo by sea, the ILA are used to working with virtually any type of military cargo to include tanks, mine resistant vehicles, Navy boats, and even ammunition.

"We believe that the Charleston ILA workforce is one of the best terminal operators worldwide," said Eddie Murray, a Charleston stevedore supervisor. "The ability to know the workforce by name and work day to day together on military cargo is what makes it such a successful operation."

• Date Taken: 06.30.2008
• Date Posted: 06.30.2008 12:50
• Story ID: 21015