Military Sealift Command (MSC), as part of the U.S. Navy, provides strategic sealift and ocean transportation for U.S. military forces. Its mission is to provide ocean transportation of equipment, fuel, supplies, and ammunition to sustain U.S. forces worldwide during peacetime and in war. MSC operates more than 120 ships worldwide on a day-to-day basis, all crewed by civilian mariners. As the United States continues to reduce the size of its military presence overseas, our military's readiness and rapid response capabilities depend increasingly on MSC. It is a matter of national priority that MSC ships be available at a moment’s notice and performs reliably when called upon. MSC operates ships that provide combat logistics support to U.S. Navy ships at sea; special mission support to U.S. government agencies; pre-positioning of U.S. military supplies and equipment at sea; and ocean transportation of DOD cargo in both peacetime and war. Recent crises have reinforced MSC’s vital role as a major contributor in the execution of U.S. national strategy.