Combat Hospital Shipment to Japan Helps Effort to Support the Warfighter

As part of an ongoing initiative to support American military forces around the world, Rock-It Cargo recently managed the complex logistics of shipping an entire army field hospital from Missouri to Japan. Despite the challenges of handling hazardous materials, as well as managing the “cold chain” necessary for transporting and storing temperature-controlled narcotics, Rock-It delivered the installation on time and earned acknowledgment for its efforts from the U.S. Army.

The U.S. Army Medical Materiel Agency (USAMMA), based in Fort Detrick, MD, contracted with Rock-It’s military division to pick up the shipment at Two Rivers Medical in Saint Charles, MO and transport it via airfreight to The Sagami Army Depot in Japan. Two Rivers Medical provides medical, pharmaceutical and dental equipment and supplies exclusively to the U.S. Government. The project was managed by Rock-It Cargo’s New York (JFK) office with the assistance of Rock-It Chicago, where the 40,000 lb. shipment departed. Rock-It Tokyo’s staff secured the special permits required for importation and delivery onto the U.S. Army Base.

USAMMA is the division of the U.S. Army Medical Department responsible for planning, synchronizing, and providing medical logistics and health service support to military forces. The Sagami Army Depot, located in the city of Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, Honshu, Japan, is home to a number of agencies, including the 35th Supply and Service Battalion, the Defense Commissary Agency Central Distribution Center, the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine-Pacific, the U.S. Army Science and Technology Center Far East, and Navy Medical Storage. The cold medical storage facility located there improves response time for the delivery of critical medical supplies throughout the region.

Dummy soldier pictured in field hospital bed similar to those transported to Japan

Despite holidays in the U.S. and Japan that threatened to derail a timely arrival, Rock-It was able to deliver the cargo by the given deadline. The shipment valued, at US$1 million, consisted of the supplies and equipment necessary to operate a military field hospital. To transport the shipment to Japan, all hazardous materials were labeled and packed by a Rock-It Cargo agent licensed to handle “hazmat” shipments for safe transport. In addition, the frozen and chilled narcotics were carefully packed and stored according to the required medical procedures.

The U.S. military refers to all members of the armed forces who are engaged in combat against an enemy force as “Warfighters.” Private individuals and companies that provide services in direct support of military personnel are recognized by the Army and other military branches as part of the “Support the Warfighter” effort. “Rock-It Cargo is proud to support the Warfighter,” says project manager Marjorie Adis. “We are fortunate to have the skills and expertise that USAMMA requires to handle these types of shipments and look forward to supporting our military men and women again in the future,” she adds.