By Shelia Watson
Contributing Writer

The military is firmly on the technology bandwagon when it comes to improving processes for shipping cargo, and Charleston’s Army command is playing a key role in that.

Last year, Charleston was the site for field testing handheld computers for the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command.

The results from the test showed higher efficiency, lower error rates and added value to in-transit visibility for combatant commanders and SDDC port operators, said Mitch Chandran, public affairs officer with SDDC headquarter.

The field test was done in conjunction with a cargo deployment supporting soldiers in Iraq.

Traditionally, the equipment is moved into position and a worker scans the barcode, followed by another worker hand-drawing the shape, size and location of the equipment in the vessel’s hold area.

With the new technology, scanning and recording the equipment position takes place immediately, which will not only save time but will be more accurate.

The mission of SDDC is to provide global surface deployment and distribution services to meet the nation’s objectives. Charleston is home to the SDDC’s 841st Transportation Battalion, considered one of the busiest military terminal battalions in the U.S. Army.

According to data provided by the U.S. Department of Defense, in 2006, the SDDC’s 841st: Transportation Battalion.

• Moved 24,777 pieces of military equipment and armored vehicles in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

• Loaded cargo to and from 65 vessels, 6,834 trucks and 1,059 rail cars. About 35% of all Army combat equipment used in the OIF/OEF theater is loaded through the facilities on the Naval Weapons Station in Charleston.

• Loaded 3,500 pieces of non-deployment cargo to and from 67 ships and provided documentation for 2,598 pieces of cargo loaded to and from 162 commercial ships.

• Loaded and unloaded 3,203 pieces of military cargo from five large, medium-speed roll-on/roll-off ships for APS-3. Each LMSR carries the equivalent of 200 C-17 loads of cargo.

• Handled 5,811 pieces of military cargo at other strategic seaports such as Savannah and the Port of Philadelphia.

In all of fiscal year 2006, more than 39,800 pieces of cargo were loaded to and from 299 ships by the 841st. The Naval Weapons Station has 2.3 million square feet of staging area, two military berths and a secure federal enclave on which to conduct operations.

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