Pacer Goose Sustainment

Cargo

More than 3 million pounds of cargo including: heavy machinery, food, and construction materials

Overview

Pacer Goose Sustainment is the Air Force’s annual re-supply mission for Thule Air Base in Greenland. This mission is the only time during the year where Thule Air Base can get their bulk items such as heavy machinery, most of their food, and construction materials. US Ocean was charged with seeing this re-supply mission through.

In July 2017, The United States Air Force hired US Ocean to transport 3 million pounds of cargo including a 68,000 lb. aircraft loader and a 35,000 lb. fire truck to the austere and remote destination of Thule, Greenland.

Location: Norfolk, Virginia, to Thule, Greenland
Duration: July 16, 2017 to August 18, 2017
Client: US Air Force
Vessel: M/V Ocean Giant

Challenges

In a mission like Pacer Goose, timing is everything and any slight change to the timetable could jeopardize the mission as a whole. Even though the temperature was freezing, summer is the only time of year that the ice is thin enough to break through.

In addition to the tight time table and austere conditions, there were large pieces of cargo to load such as a 68,000 lb. aircraft loader and a 35,000 lb. Air Force fire truck. In addition to the cargoes transported to Thule, there were also items to bring back.

The Ocean Giant also offloaded more than 2 million lbs. of retrograde cargo such as trash and items for disposal, including several vehicles.

I am extremely proud of the entire team and we are pleased to have contributed to yet another successful execution of the resupply in Thule. The superb and seamless execution of this complex operation is a result of the strong and valued partnerships between DLA, the Air Force, Military Sealift Command and Navy Cargo Handling Battalion.

Navy Supply Corps Capt. Andrew Matthews

DLA Distribution Norfolk Commander

The Ocean Giant delivering cargo to Thule, Greenland on behalf of The United States Air Force

Pacer Goose Sustainment

Cargo

Overview

Challenges

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