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U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Public Affairs Washington, D.C. www.dot.gov/affairs/briefing.htm |
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News
Media Advisory U.S. Department of Transportation Chief of Staff to Present Medals to Officers and Crews of Three Ready Reserve Force Ships in Colorful Shipboard Ceremony On Wednesday, May 28, at 2:00 p.m., U.S. Department of Transportation Chief of Staff John A. Flaherty will present Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medals to the officers and crews of the GTS Adm. Wm. M. Callaghan, M/V Cape Orlando, and the SS Comet. The three roll-on/roll-off ships took materiel to American troops for Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The ships and the crews have just returned from the zone of conflict in the Middle East. All three ships belong to the Ready Reserve Force (RRF), a fleet of 68 ships owned and maintained by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration. A total of 40 ships were assigned to Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. RRF ships are crewed by civilian American merchant mariners who volunteer for this potentially hazardous duty. American merchant mariners have supported U.S. military action since colonial times, often traveling into harm's way to transport materiel to the armed forces. More than 80 percent of the vehicles and other equipment were taken to the Iraqi conflict by merchant mariners. The Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medal is awarded to men and women who serve aboard U.S.-flag ships in support of operations involving American and allied military forces. Officers and crew will be available to the news media aboard the M/V Cape Orlando before and after the ceremony. A tour of the ship may be arranged.
# # # NOTE TO EDITORS: It is recommended that news media arrive 30 minutes prior to the ceremony to gain access to the pier and the ship. |
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