Marine Corps Worried About How to Move and Supply Troops After Navy Sidelines 17 Support Ships
27th November 2024
The Navy will sideline 17 ships to contend with a shortage of civilian mariners, the Military Sealift commander said last week, prompting concerns from the Marine Corps about how it will support and transport its own forces.
Rear Adm. Philip Sobeck, the MSC commander, told reporters on Thursday that the move to dock more than a dozen ships was meant to give overworked and understaffed civilian mariners a break as the command looks to get “the foundation back intact” for ship maintenance.
While Sobeck said this plan would take place “over the next two years,” he wouldn’t say how long it will take to get ships back in the water. The result is that ships that support the Marine Corps will not be available, causing worries for the amphibious service that will compound existing challenges getting Marines to the field.