1. T-AVB Introduction Brief to NAVAIR PMA-260 (RT-CASS Test Team)By
Paul S. Cerkez
DCS Corporation

2. The Aviation Logistics Ship
What is the T-AVB?
The Aviation Logistics Ship
A ‘task’ loaded container ship that allows embarked aviation support Marines to perform limited Intermediate Level Aircraft Maintenance
MARAD owned, MSC operated, dedicated USMC asset

3. History
Mission:
The mission of the T-AVB is to provide rapid and dedicated sealift for employment of a tailored aviation Intermediate Maintenance Activity (IMA) to support deployment of U.S. Marine Corps fixed and rotary wing aircraft. The majority of the IMA equipment and supplies required to sustain forward deployed Fixed Wing (FW) and Rotary Wing (RW) Aircraft will be delivered via the T-AVB.

4. History
Without the T-AVB, it would require approximately 140 C-141 lifts to deploy an equivalent I-level capability to a crisis area.
In the mid-1980s, the Navy purchased two ships to become the T-AVBs and solve the transportation problem.

5. History
These modified ships belong to the RRF and are the SS WRIGHT (T-AVB 3) and the SS CURTISS (T-AVB 4), now known as the WRIGHT Class.
The ships are maintained in a five day Reduced Operating Status (ROS-5)
The ROS-5 status allows for a transition to full operating status within 120 hours.

6. Three basic modes of operation exist for these T-AVB ships:
Ship Familiarization
Three basic modes of operation exist for these T-AVB ships:
Operational Mode
up to 300 mobile facilities and 42 access modules can be loaded on the T-AVB; 186 of which may be fully powered and operational.
Operational mode is the primary mode of operation for the T-AVB.
Transport Mode
More than 660 mobile facilities or TEUs can be loaded aboard the T-AVB.
Combination Mode
Anything in-between fully operational and fully transport.

7. Aviation Logistics Support
Organizational
Support
FISP
MPS
TAVB
PCSP
CCSP
FOSP
D-10
D-5
D-day
D+7
D+30
D+60
D+90
D+120
TAC A/C
Depart
POE
in AOR
MPS Sails
MPS in AOR
Sails
Activated at
SPOE
In AOR
FOSP at

11. Background
The T-AVBs will be around until about 2015 or 2020 for use by Marine Aviation
We (DCS) provide “corporate knowledge” and long term stability of TAVB experiences
“Due to the dynamic nature of personnel movement and assignments in the Marine Corps, ‘corporate knowledge’ of T-AVB related events, activities, and capabilities is fleeting. “ (FY-03 SOW)

12. TAVB Hierarchy “Players”
MSC: Military Sealift Command
MSC is a U.S. Navy command and is one of three component commands reporting to the joint service U.S. Transportation Command, known as USTRANSCOM
MARAD: Maritime Administration:
USMC
Area CINC

13. Quotes from MSC web pages:
“SS Wright is part of the Ready Reserve Force, but is dedicated to Prepositioning duties for the USMC.”
“SS Curtiss is part of the Ready Reserve Force, but is dedicated to Prepositioning duties for the USMC”

14. Quotes from MSC web Pages
Two aviation logistics support ships, SS Curtiss and SS Wright, support United States Marine Corps fixed and rotor wing aircraft. The two ships are maintained by the Maritime Administration. They are part of MSC’s LOGISTICS Prepositioning Force. ( They used to be part of the MPF until recently.)
The [MSC] Logistics Prepositioning Force staff work hand-in-hand with commercial operating companies and vessel owners who provide the vessels to MSC under contract.

15. Doctrine Ship Activation:
The TAVB is either made available to CINCs for use in their OPLANs, or it is requested by the MAGTF commander while determining his embarkation requirements. In either case, the TAVB becomes activated by MARAD. MARAD uses the ships retention crew … to reactivate the ship systems and prepare vessel to get under way.
Command Relationships:
1.      Specific decisions regarding the activation of the T-AVB to support deployment of MALS assets will be issued based upon NCA direction and guidance. CJCS, as principal military advisor to the NCA, will provide specific option and identify forces available from the appropriate unified CINC. The unified CINC plans contingency deployment and employment of forces in their AOR, while the FLTCINC naval component commander has OPCON of the TAVB.
2.      COMSC is the type commander for the TAVB. When the TAVB activation order is received from NCA, COMSC will order MARAD to activate the vessel. [MARAD activates the ship]. CHOP from MARAD to MSC occurs following successful completion of sea trials. MARAD continues to man and operate the TAVB and will receive orders from the MSC area commander.
3.      The MSC area commander retains OPCON and ADCON of the TAVB during the embarkation phase.
4.      After the embarkation phase and during transit, OPCON shifts to the appropriate numbered fleet commander. ADCON is retained by the supporting MSC area commander/sub area commander.
5.      The TAVB reports to the COMNAVFOR, CATF, MAGTF commander or CMPF, as applicable, upon arrival in the AOR. 

16. Doctrine
The TAVBs are national assets. The ‘controlling’ CINC requests from the NCA activation from MSC
When ships are activated the do not become USNS, they remain MARAD “SS” vessels.
TAVB ships are under ADCON to MSC and operated/maintained by civilian crews under contract to MARAD.
When activated, they are under are ADCON/OPCON to MSC until embarkation is complete. Once in transit, they fall under the commander of the operating forces in the area.
In transit, what will typically happen is the CINC tells MSC where to send the ship, MSC then tells the ship.
Once in the AOR the lines are more direct

17. Doctrine
Once in the AOR, if it is determined that the TAVB is no longer require as a ‘tactically necessary’, the CINC can release it to MSC at which time it reverts to its secondary role as a MSC re-supply ship (still under OPCON to the CINC, but can be CHOP’d to another CINC by NCA if conditions dictate).

24. Home

36. IMA Electrical Power (60 Hz)
Steam is the primary power source and diesel is the backup.
There are two 1500 KW, 450 VAC 60 Hz 3-phase steam-driven generators.
The generators supply power to all electrical zones via a series of 300 KVA, 440/ VAC, 60 Hz Delta/Wye connected transformers.
Backup power is provided by the 1500 KW, 450 VAC, 60 Hz, 3-phase, ship service diesel generator permanently installed in the ship (commonly referred to as the Electric Motor Division or "EMD").
The EMD is located in the Auxiliary Machine Room (AMR ). The EMD is part of the ship's total electrical power plant and not designated for the exclusive use of the deployed IMA

37. IMA Electrical Power (400 Hz)
400 Hz power is provided by 13 MMG-1As.
These sets may be embarked as RO/RO or LO/LO cargo to the second deck and secured on the second deck in Hold 2, port and starboard, near the IMA power distribution rooms between Frames 48 and 57.
The motor side of each generator is connected to a 200 amp 60 Hz receptacle provided.
The output (400 Hz) cable of each MMG-1A is connected to the provided 400 Hz input receptacle which feeds up to six other service receptacles within a designated distribution zone.
TAVB Alt in process to replace all MMGs with two dedicated 400hz permanent static converters.

38. LP Air
A motor driven air compressor rated at 200 CFM at 125 PSI provides all the compressed air required by the MFs while in the T‑AVB.
Each air outlet is fitted with a moisture separator and a hose valve.
The valve is a Powell type gate valve catalog 502H, 200 PSI, ½ inch hose thread, with cap and chain.
A ½ x 3/8 adapter is required for Mobile Facility connection.
There are 5 compressed air outlets on the main deck, starboard side located along the hatch coamings from Hold 2 through Hold 6

39. Water
Fresh water can be supplied directly to MFs via "garden hose" type outlets along the ship's bulkheads. Potable water tank capacity is 161,837 gallons.
WATER USAGE MUST BE COORDINATED WITH SHIP’S CREW.
This is NOT a “chilled” water supply

40. Ventilation
Ventilation inlets and outlets, located throughout the INTERIOR CARGO AREAS, allow a fume-free working area below the main deck.

41. Open Dialog Session
Questions?