Pacific Northwest Seaport Operations gain top brass support
The general's visit highlights the growing operational importance of the Pacific Northwest region.
Department of Defense operations at the Strategic Seaport of Tacoma are managed by the 833rd Transportation Battalion. Lt. Col. Mike Balser, commander of the 833rd, escorted the general as they flew over the port in a Blackhawk helicopter to view sites critical to Stryker deployment.
"It was great to have General Cody out here," said Balser. "With his background in the Transportation Corps, and familiarity in waterborne operations, his interest peaked at the seaports."
The 833rd outloaded the first Stryker brigade to deploy overseas from the Port of Tacoma from September through October 2003. Lt. Col. Balser walked the general through that scenario giving him a feel for the number of Stryker brigade pieces moved (over 2600) and their staging requirements.
"The general came to get a better flavor on Stryker issues, including how they deploy," said Balser, "and he left with a better understanding." The partnership between the 833rd and Fort Lewis produces a combination of capabilities for deployment. "It's nice to know people who know what is going on," said Cody. "And this tour has done a great job of answering questions for me."
The general also talked about the new Stryker brigade being positioned in Alaska and how SDDC was structured to support that mission.
"I assured General Cody that we were examining Anchorage and Valdez port security and are working closely with Alaskan Command to identify their deployment needs, based on projected forces growth in Alaska." said Balser. "As ports are selected in the Pacific Northwest by the 833rd based on that particular mission requirement, seaport options are many. General Cody said there are a large number of deployment options open to Fort Lewis, and that we should work to keep port selection and deployment options open."
The Army committed to adding Stryker Brigades to Fort Lewis and Fort Wainwright, Alaska. The port of Anchorage, Alaska, was the latest "Strategic Seaport" to be selected by SDDC. The Surface Deployment and Distribution Command currently manages 26 seaports of which 15 are "Strategic Seaports," a designation meaning that port has increased potential, because if its facilities or location, for Department of Defense cargo shipments in support of contingencies.
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