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radar platform, known as SBX-1, which is part of the U.S. Ballistic Missile Defense System. Prepositioning MSC?s Prepositioning Program is an essential element in the U.S. military?s readiness strategy. A oat prepositioning stra- tegically places military equipment and supplies aboard ships located in key ocean areas to ensure rapid availability during a major theater war, a humanitarian operation or other con- tingency. MSC?s 26 prepositioning ships support the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Defense Logistics Agen- cy. Prepositioning ships provide quick and ef cient movement of military gear between operating areas without reliance on other nations? transportation networks. These ships give U.S. regional combatant commanders the assurance that they will have what they need to quickly respond in a crisis - anywhere, anytime. During a contingency, troops are  own into a theater of operations to rapidly employ the cargo from these ships. Many of MSC?s prepositioning ships are able to discharge liquid, containerized or motorized cargo both pier side or while anchored offshore by using  oating hoses and shallow- draft watercraft, called lighterage, that are carried aboard. This allows cargo to be ferried to shore in areas where ports are non-existent or in poor condition and gives the nation?s military forces the ability to operate in both developed and undeveloped areas of the world. Prepositioning ships include a combination of U.S. govern- ment-owned ships, chartered U.S. -  agged ships and ships activated from the Maritime Administration?s Ready Reserve Force. All prepositioning ships are operated by U.S. civilian mariners who work for ship operating companies under con- tract to the federal government. Military Sealift Command is a workforce of more than 9,500 people worldwide, most of whom serve at sea. In fact, about 80% of its people serve at sea , aboard non-combatant Navy ships, as civil service mariners (CIVMARs) who are federal employees. www.maritimeprofessional.com | Maritime Professional | 5550-63 Q3 MP2014.indd 5550-63 Q3 MP2014.indd 558/13/2014 2:48:22 PM8/13/2014 2:48:22 PM