Schubert: RRF still at top of its game

Schubert: RRF still at top of its game       The U.S. Maritime Administration’s Ready Reserve Force continues to prove itself ready when called upon by the Defense Department to activate.
   The three RRF ships picked for the unscheduled test were “Grand Canyon State” and “Gem State” at Alameda, Calif., and Green Mountain State in Bremerton, Wash.
   “Readiness exercises such as these keep our ships in shape to provide the support our Armed Forces need,” said Maritime Administrator William G. Schubert.
   So-called “turbo activations” are sponsored and monitored by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Defense Department’s Transportation Command.
   “During an exercise, RRF ships are directed to shift from a reduced operating status, with the quarters made habitable and cargo gear ready, within four or five days,” MarAd said. “Activations are often followed immediately by a sea trial.”
   MarAd maintains a RRF fleet of 72 ships, which are managed and crewed by civilian merchant mariners. Forty of these ships recently provided transport to the U.S. military during the war with Iraq.