SDDC's 599th activates Combined Seaport Coordination Center

The Military Surface Deployment and Distribution CommandAca,!a,,cs 599th Transportation Brigade, along with Soldiers and Sailors from the United States and the Republic of Korea army and navy, activated the Combined Seaport Coordination Center at Pier 8 in Busan, South Korea, supporting Exercise Key Resolve 2011, Feb. 28 to March 10.

Key Resolve is a combined annual training command-post exercise with computer-based simulations that focus on deploying troops and equipment to Korea. The exercise is designed to enhance the combat readiness of the ROK-U.S. alliance while providing opportunities to train, evaluate and improve the combined and joint coordination, procedures, plans and systems necessary for the defense of the Republic of Korea and protection of the region.

The mission of the CSCC is to coordinate combined port operations and combined sealift operations.

For personnel assigned to the 599th Transportation Brigade, the exercise teaches, coaches and mentors participantsAca,!a,,c operational and decision-making capabilities while validating their ability to work in a combined environment with the Republic of Korea Port Operating Group, 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, Military Sealift Command, Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping, ROK navy, and ROK Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs.

Aca,!A"The exercise provides me the opportunity to work side-by-side with our ROK counterparts, while allowing the CSCC to build partnerships between our two nations, and exercise realistic training events that support its mission of combined seaport operations,Aca,!A? said Lt. Col. Anthony Aquino, a Reservist assigned to the 599th Transportation Brigade and the night-time operations officer for the CSCC.

Ron Day, 599th Transportation Brigade deputy operations officer, added that Key Resolve 2011 reinforces the brigadeAca,!a,,cs commitment to their Korean counterparts.

Aca,!A"This exercise demands a fresh look from seaport and [in-transit-visibility] perspectives as new ports are either under construction or existing infrastructure is constantly changing,Aca,!A? said Day.

He said all of the alliance\'s major commands participated in this yearAca,!a,,cs exercise allowing the 599th to validate the CSCC piece of operational plans involving ROK and U.S. agencies.

Aca,!A"Almost all U.S. members of the CSCC are Army and Navy Reservists or Department of Army civilian personnel, and this is the glue that holds the CSCC together by providing both continuity and knowledge.Aca,!A?

Day explained that active-duty Army personnel normally serve a one- or two-year tour of duty in the Korean theater, and the South Korean army and navy have two years of conscription, or mandatory, service for all citizens, after which time most leave service. However, he said U.S. Reservists and civilians may stay in these positions for many more years, thus providing exercise continuity and real-world expertise.

Aca,!A"This is my second exercise with the CSCC, and with each exercise I always leave with the feeling that those of us who work the CSCC for exercises continually improve our operational warfighting abilities while building a stronger US/ROK alliance and reinforcing each otherAca,!a,,cs capabilities,Aca,!A? added Lt. Col. Anthony Manetta, the 599th Transportation Brigade battle captain for the exercise. Aca,!A"Over the past two exercises, I have observed giant leaps in transformation efforts leading to the transfer of operational control of the CSCC from the [United States] to ROK in 2015, while at the same time, knowing that the CSCC is trained to Aca,!Eoefight tonightAca,!a,,c in response to any future North Korea provocations.Aca,!A?

The Army Materiel CommandAca,!a,,cs SDDC is the Army Service Component Command of U.S. Transportation Command linking the ArmyAca,!a,,cs Materiel Enterprise and the Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise. This unique position allows SDDC to serve as a bridge - connecting the capabilities of these supporting enterprises to the requirements of the supported Combatant Commands.