MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- Stretching more than 600 feet and displacing more than 23,000 tons of water, the SS Curtiss, also referred to as a T-AVB, is an aviation maintenance logistics ship capable of supporting military sealifts throughout the world.

The ship, which is primarily run by U.S. Merchant Marines, is an essential tool in maintaining the Marine Corps’ operational readiness.

At approximately the same time the Marine Corps established the Aviation Logistics Support Program, known as MALSP, in the mid 1980s,  the Navy procured two roll-on, roll-off cargo container ships, the SS Curtiss and SS Wright.

The ships transported intermediate level aviation support within a contingency area, ensuring quick response times for crisis situations throughout the world and became tailored to support aviation combat elements — a role they still fill today.

According to the ship’s handbook, the mission of the T-AVB is to provide rapid and dedicated sealift for employment of a Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron, or MALS, to support the deployment of Marines Corps fixed-wing and rotor-wing aircraft.

The Merchant Marines and their vessels are utilized in the movement of equipment and troops, explained Paul Foran, the ship’s captain.

The ship can go from limited activity to deployment-ready in just five days, he added.
Merchant Marine retention crew stationed onboard year-round tends to the maintenance of the ship, explained Robert Silva, the ship’s firstmate. Ten crew members stay aboard the ship to monitor equipment conditions and conduct vessel maintenance and repair.

Upon activation for military operations or exercises, the Military Sealift Command along with Merchant Marines operate the ship.

During deployments, the ship carries a payload that would require more than 140 trips by C-141 aircraft to transport.

The majority of the cargo is contained in large, metal boxes similar to the size of a semi-trailer. The boxes, known as mobile facilities or “vans” carry everything from wrenches to computer systems.

Providing the ability to be any where at any time, these merchant ships are a valuable asset to the Marines, said Foran.

Merchant marine, a fleet of ships that carries imports and exports during peacetime, is  activated as a naval auxiliary during wartime to deliver troops and war material
“Merchant Marines have been around since the revolutionary war,” the skipper explained.  “We are the fifth arm of defense, providing supplies and cargo to troops is important.

“With the globalization of the economy worldwide, we no longer have as many ships as we used to,” said Foran. “But we keep on working.”

“It’s necessary for the national defense,” explains the Merchant Marine Act of 1936. “The United States shall have a merchant marine of the best equipment and most suitable types of vessels sufficient to carry the greater portion of commerce and serve as a naval or military auxiliary in time of war or national emergency.”

The crew is trained by the government to operate the ships and assist in manning the guns in accordance with the U.S. Maritime Service.

Foran and his crew believe it is part of their responsibilities to ensure that U.S. service members going to war are on an American ship.

“The rest of the world might not be as sympathetic and patriotic to our flag,” he said.