(Feb. 18, 2004 USTCNS) --- Boatswain's Mate First Class (Surface Warfare) BM1(SW) Tyrone Graves, USN, already selected as Sailor of the Year at Military Sealift Command, Europe, Naval Support Activity, Capodichino, Naples, Italy, has been selected as the overall Military Sealift Command, or MSC, Sailor of the Year-receiving the award for the second consecutive year.
Overall, MSC, headquartered in Washington, D.C., has about 1,100 military personnel and over 7,500 people, including federal civil service and contractors, worldwide.
Beating out competition from MSC headquarters in Washington, D.C., and four other area commands under MSC worldwide, BM1(SW) Graves, assigned to the strategic sealift tanker office in MSC Europe's operations and readiness department, is responsible for delivering millions of barrels of aviation and diesel fuel to bases, ships, and aircraft, and thousands of tons of dry cargo, within the U.S. European Command area of responsibility.
Graves was recognized for his work in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, serving as command representative to the port of Thessaloniki, Greece, where over 1,000 pieces of heavy combat equipment and supplies were loaded and delivered to Kuwait. Further, during "24-7" operations within MSC Europe's operations department, Graves is credited with facilitating the flow of more than 250 ships through the European theater to and from the Middle East-which equals more than 98% of "war cargo" delivered into Kuwait, and moved forward for combat duty in Iraq.
Graves was also recognized for his work with MSC Europe's mobilized reservists, providing training and technical expertise in MSC's cargo operations.
"Petty Officer Graves is an outstanding leader and an absolute professional in every respect," said Capt. Dirk Deverill, USN, Commander, Military Sealift Command, Europe. Graves also serves as a member of the First Class Petty Officer Association and assistant coach of the Naples American High School's track and field team.
Graves now moves forward to compete for the Vice Chief of Naval Operations Sailor of the Year competition.
Military Sealift Command, Europe, operates dry cargo ships, tankers, and other vessels, including fleet oilers, combat stores ships, prepositioning ships, and special mission ships, from the arctic waters of Norway to the tip of South Africa. On any given day, in peacetime, about 120 MSC ships are deployed around the globe. For more information, log on to the command's website at www.msc.navy.mil/msceur.
