Oakland, CA -- Security was a major concern for members of the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command’s 834th Transportation Battalion as tanks and armored vehicles painted in Australian camouflage moved through East Bay streets down to the Port of Oakland last week. The equipment, part of a foreign military sales mission, would be uploaded for transport to Australia.
In November 2023, the Port of Oakland experienced security issues as demonstrators protesting the conflict in Gaza daisy chained themselves to a vessel during a mission at the Port of Oakland, resulting in a shut-down of operations. This is the first time the Port of Oakland has been utilized for a military outload since that incident.
Further, within the past two weeks, large protests have taken place throughout the streets of Oakland over the issue of immigration, creating additional concern.
Amidst this backdrop of potential chaos, the mission must go on.
“We have to train like we fight,” said Lt. Col. Lauren Cabral, commander of the 834th. “In order to replicate what we could do in an actual scenario; for an actual executive order; we chose to do it during this time frame.”
The Australian military also appreciated the work of the 834th.
“This helps us because the relationship is furthered between Australian and U.S. strategic assets, moving equipment and getting it into country safely,” said Lt. Col. Dean Falvey with Australia’s Heavy Armored Vehicle Program.
Additionally, the ability to resupply our allies from a military or commercial port up and down the West Coast is key to operational unpredictability. It also adds to the flexibility and diversity of power projection, a critical element according to Col. Russell Henry, commander, 596th Transportation Brigade.
Cabral’s team completed the mission without incident and the vessel departed the Port of Oakland for Australia.
“It is a major milestone for us being able to ship our vehicles back to Australia,” said Falvey.
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