The RRF was created on 14 February 1977 specifically to enhance the
readiness of sealift to respond rapidly in any contingency. The RRF
(a quick response subset of the NDRF) is a select
group of ships within the NDRF, which are relatively modern, highly
militarily useful ships, rigorously maintained to meet Coast Guard and
American Bureau of Shipping standards. They are crewed by
Maritime Administration (MARAD) personnel in an
increased state of readiness that would permit their activation within
four, five, ten and twenty days. Four-day ships are placed in a Reduced
Operating Status (ROS) which are all Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO) ships having
10-men crews to permit rapid activation.
Military Sealift Command (MSC) relationship with MARAD uses the assets in
the RRF and along with OPNAV works closely in the area of strategic planning.
MARAD, by law, becomes the National Shipping Authority in time of war or
national emergency and has the authority to acquire ships through
requisitioning of the merchant fleet.
Periodically, MSC and OPNAV agree to have MARAD activate RRF ships for
operational tests. MSC initiates the action and starts the readiness clock
by notifying MARAD of the requirement to activate. MARAD begins activation
procedures and, depending on the ship(s) selected, has four, five, ten or
twenty days to have the ship(s) ready for sea.
When activated, RRF ships come under the operational control of the Military
Sealift Command. Some ships in the RRF are strategically located at outport
locations to avoid congestion, be closer to actual military cargo loading
ports, and to provide quick response to military force requirements, while other
RRF ships are at other sites in CONUS and overseas.
The RRF includes RO/RO cargo ships, breakbulk ships, barge carriers,
Auxiliary Crane Ships (ACSs), tankers, and two troop ships for surge sealift
requirement which are capable of handling bulky, oversized military
equipment. There is a shortage of RO/RO ships on the commercial market
making RRF ships especially valuable.
