DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AMMUNITION TEST SHIPMENT IN SEA-LAND CONTAINERS

The U.S. Army Transportation Engineering Agency USATEA, participated in the development of shipping procedures for eight different types of ammunition which were used in the initial Department of Defense DOD test shipment in Sea-Land shipping containers to the Republic of Vietnam RVN. USATEAs portion of the tests consisted of providing transportation environmental test criteria, participation in the test loadings at Savanna Army Depot, observation of the loading and securing of 2.75-inch rockets and 155- millimeter shells at the Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant, and installation of mechanical shock recorders in two containers to determine shock and vibration environment during the entire move. The movement, originating at Doyline, Louisiana, encompassed highway to Port Chicago, California terminal handling at Port Chicago ocean voyage to Cam Ranh Bay, RVN handling at Cam Ranh Bay barge move to Qui Nhon unloading at Qui Nhon and, finally, the highway move by military convoy to a forward ammunition supply point at Pleiku. Army personnel USATEA and U.S. Army Materiel Command USAMC inspected the loads at Port Chicago, California, and Cam Ranh Bay and Pleiku, RVN. Good shock and vibration information was obtained covering the entire move, including handling. The shipping procedures proved adequate, and no damage to the cargo was noted.