SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii (USTCNS) --- The 599th Transportation Group delivered helicopter tie-down straps to the Fleet and Industrial Supply Center, Pearl Harbor as part of the continuous working relationship between the two organizations.

The straps were used 9-11 April to support movements of helicopters belonging to the 25th Infantry Division (Light) deploying to the Joint Readiness Training Center aboard USNS Altair.

Based upon several recent incidents of damage to helicopters as a result of possible improper lashing aboard sealift vessels, Military Traffic Management Command's Transportation Engineering Agency performed engineering studies to determine a safer manner to secure these assets during sealift.

As a result, polyester straps were determined to be more suitable than previously used steel chains. A major command-wide directive was issued for use of polyester straps instead of steel chains.

The 599th Transportation Group purchased a supply of the straps to ensure their use for 25th Infantry Division (Light) aviation assets loading out from Pearl Harbor. Tie-down straps were stenciled for accountability purposes and delivered.

This effort is part of the ongoing cooperation between FISC and the 599th Transportation Group to ensure safe and efficient ship loading operations while effectively training all personnel to meet its mission of Single Port Manager. (FROM 599TH TRANSPORTATION GROUP PUBLIC AFFAIRS).