ALEXANDRIA, Va., (USTCNS) --- The Military Traffic Management Command’s role in Operation Iraqi Freedom has earned the team special recognition by the United Seamen’s Service.

The Admiral of the Ocean Sea award, or AOTOS, is the maritime industry’s most prestigious honor and will be bestowed upon MTMC during an industry gala event November 7, 2003, at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers, New York City.

Since much of the success of the operations, both in Iraq and Afghanistan, stem from industry partnerships, United Seamen’s Service also will sponsor a special ceremony, that same evening, to honor the maritime community for its contributions to the recent Middle East operations.

“This is wonderful news for the MTMC family and our industry partners,” said Maj. Gen. Ann Dunwoody, commander, MTMC. “Our number one priority will always be support to the warfighter and our partners play an essential role in ensuring U. S. military mission needs are met.”

According to John Bowers, Chairman of the United Seamen’s Service AOTOS Committee and President of the International Longshoremen’s Association, American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations, “The people and organizations we will salute this year represent the finest in American spirit.”

MTMC is a major Army command and serves as one of the three transportation component commands of the United States Transportation Command. Its authorized strength of 2,005 military and civilian employees maintains a presence at 24 terminals worldwide and is staffed with representation from all branches of the Armed Forces. MTMC assets include 10,400 containers, 2,100 railcars, and 142 miles of government railroad track.

For nearly 40 years, the command has played a vital role in America’s defense, supporting every war, major contingency, and humanitarian relief effort, where U. S. soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines have been deployed.

“We will continue to maintain a strong, growing relationship with our commercial partners. They are a core element of the MTMC team,” Dunwoody said.