MV Buffalo Soldier (T-AK-9301) is a roll-on/roll-off ship, formerly of the French Government Line (now merged into CMA CGM). She was sold and reflagged U.S., renamed to honor Buffalo Soldiers, and chartered by the United States Navy Military Sealift Command as a Maritime Prepositioning ship serving at Diego Garcia laden with U.S. Air Force munitions. She is self-sustaining, that is, she can unload herself, an asset in harbors with little or no infrastructure. Her 120-long-ton-capacity roll-on/roll-off ramp accommodates tracked and wheeled vehicles of every description. While she is not currently in service with MSC, ships with her general characteristics are designated Buffalo Soldier class, fleet designation AK 2222.[1]

History
France
NameMonet
OwnerFrench Government Line
BuilderChantier naval de La Ciotat (in French)
Launched9 July 1977
Completed1978
United States
NameMV Buffalo Soldier
NamesakeBuffalo Soldiers
OwnerRR and VO Partnership
Out of service2001; returned to owners at completion of MSC charter
Identification
General characteristics
Class and typeBuffalo Soldier-class T-AK container & roll-on/roll-off ship
Displacement26,378 long tons (26,801 t)
Length670 ft (200 m)
Beam87 ft (27 m)
Draft34 ft 6 in (10.52 m)
Speed16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph)
Complement19 civilian, 0 military

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "AK 9301 Buffalo Soldier". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 17 January 2010. The Naval Vessel Register considered these two ships to be units of the AK 2222 Ship Class, though their characteristics are dis-similar [and indeed there does not appear to be a ship designated AK 2222].
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