Events Military/Government Ships

A Visit to the 949th Transportation Company July 27, 2019

meabbott

According to this Global Security page the 949th Transportation Company is a subordinate unit of the 1176th Transportation Terminal Brigade which in turn is a unit of the 99th Regional Support Command, the former two being stationed in Baltimore, Maryland.

9850-1 Osprey
Osprey

According to this Army History page the 949th can trace its lineage back to July 31, 1942 when Company B, 489th Quartermaster Battalion was formed. The company has called Baltimore home since May of 1947.

9839-1 Color Guard
Color Guard

It is little known that the US Army has its own ships and I did not know myself until fairly recently. There are a variety of “Army Watercraft Systems” (AWS) in the Army inventory, some of which are stationed at the 949th.

This company lives across Curtis Creek from the Coast Guard Yard – their sole shipbuilding and major repair facility. I had a great view of their facility and I could see Cutters that are stationed here in Baltimore as well as those being serviced.

9880-1 Bow of MG Robert Smalls (LSV-8)
Bow of MG Robert Smalls (LSV-8)

The year 2019 has been a year of a bit of drama for the fleet of Army watercraft when it was planned to sell off a portion of the fleet. This Military.com article has a lot of information on this. As noted in this TheDrive article this plan was abruptly put to an end just days before I visited the 949th. Having learned about these assets I hope they remain with the US Army for the foreseeable future.

9864-1 Baltimore City Fire Boat John R. Frazier Water display
Baltimore City Fireboat John R. Frazier

I visited the 949th during a reception after which a Baltimore fire boat, the John R. Frazier put on a brilliant water display! The wind caused the spray to drift back to the base and it was not unwelcome as the temperatures were in the mid 90s.

9942-1 Coastal Tugboat MG Anthony Wayne (LT-803)
Coastal Tugboat MG Anthony Wayne (LT-803)

I was able to board the MG Robert Smalls (LSV-8) and MG Anthony Wayne (LT-803) (click the links to read about my visit to each and view photos I took). Other watercraft were present but time did not allow me to board them.

Above is a quick video of what I saw here.

2 thoughts on “A Visit to the 949th Transportation Company July 27, 2019”

  1. We were glad to have you as our guest, Matthew! Prior to joining the 949th as a (full time) Marine Machinery Technician for the Army, I had worked for the Baltimore Maritime Museum, and was there when Baltimore received the USCGC Taney. I was also glad to see some old shipmates on the Cutter, who I had served with prior, aboard the USCGC Mellon / Munro crew out of Honolulu, HI.
    What a blessed life we may have as Mariners, and sometimes Soldiers too!

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