The Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) facilitated the move of several CV-22 Osprey aircraft for the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command at the port’s Blount Island Marine Terminal this month. The aircraft will support military missions overseas.

U.S. Air Force pilots flew the Ospreys onto the port from Hurlburt Field, Florida. Stevedores with SSA Atlantic towed the aircraft aboard the U.S.-flag shipping line American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier’s (ARC) vessel M/V Patriot.

The South Carolina-based 841st Transportation Battalion and Virginia-based 597th Transportation Brigade – units of the U.S. Army’s Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command – coordinated the equipment’s movement through the port.

JAXPORT is one of the nation’s 17 strategic seaports, which moved more than 2,200 pieces of military equipment, totaling nearly 23,000 tons during fiscal year 2022. JAXPORT is on call 24/7 to move U.S. Military cargo for national defense, foreign humanitarian aid and disaster relief, and the only port in Florida with this designation.

The USAF Special Operations Command conducts global special operations missions ranging from precision application of firepower to infiltration, exfiltration, resupply and refueling of Special Operations Forces operational elements.