TRANSPORTATION MODES: OPTIONS FOR THE WARFIGHTER

MANAMA, BAHRAIN

10.13.2020

Story by Staff Sgt. Marianne Jones 

595th Transportation Brigade

Transportation missions such as exporting and importing cargo from a landlocked country can be challenging and time consuming specifically in the U.S. Central Command area of operations. While there are numerous ports that can be used to transport equipment, there are a few countries where it is not feasible, and that is where the expertise of a mobility team is paramount.
Port to port transportation is the ideal way of providing warfighters the equipment they require in a timely manner but when ports are not available; trucking takes over.
The process can be lengthy and carries the possibility of equipment being delayed when departing from a port, at border crossings, or when awaiting diplomatic clearances. While ground lines of communications, as convoys are known in the transportation field, prove to be dependable, there is also a great deal of tactical patience which is required as cargo makes its way through the strategic transportation pipeline.
“The ground lines of communication remain our bread and butter. It can handle a large volume of cargo, but we always let our customers know tactical patience is required as we deal with processes from sovereign countries that have their own systems and their own way of conducting business,” said Sgt. Maj. Shan A. Willis, senior enlisted advisor, 831st Transportation Battalion.
The next method of movement is the multimodal process, where ground transportation, contracted aircraft and contracted sealift are used to quickly and effectively import and export cargo. Multimodal transport, or combined transport, is defined as a combination of at least two or more different modes to move cargo from a location in one country to another country. Although the use of various modes of transportation is used, it still falls under one single bill of lading. This means the contracted carrier is fully liable for the entire movement process even though it is performed by different modes of transport such as air, rail, road or sea. Under ideal conditions, this method of movement can be very responsive to move cargo incrementally over an extended period. The contracted carrier is only bound by the required delivery date (RDD), so customers can request how the cargo is moved, but the contracted carrier is ultimately responsible and graded off meeting the RDD.
“Many units like to utilize the multimodal process, because it shows a quicker response from the strategic transportation system. Once the carrier takes control of the unit’s cargo, the unit can rest assured that their cargo will meet them at home station or in the theater of operations,” said Lt. Col. Ernest J. Lane II, commander, 831st Trans. Bn.
When units choose multimodal transportation for their cargo, it means that the carrier is responsible for the entire journey. Having one contract minimizes coordination and communication time for the unit, which leads to increased velocity of equipment being delivered. Multimodal utilization also makes it simple for units to track their cargo since there is only one tracking interface instead of several.
Access to remote parts of the world, with responsibility and liability of the movement exclusively remaining with one carrier is another advantage. Multimodal is considered to be a timely, in-transit visibility friendly, and relatively cost-effective means as a shipping resource.
“Units make transportation decisions based on their operational timeline and budget. I cannot think of a better mode of transportation for a light unit looking to deploy or redeploy in an effortless manner,” said Mr. Andrew Shook, deputy operations officer, 831st Trans. Bn.

• Date Taken: 10.13.2020
• Date Posted: 10.21.2020 11:12
• Story ID: 381177
• Location: MANAMA, BH