Navy Successfully Completes Ordnance Transfer in Long Beach Harbor

Sailors from Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach successfully completed a major transfer of ordnance this week in Long Beach Harbor, the Navy reported Friday.

The Military Sealift Command cargo and ammunition ship USNS Carl Brashear was anchored in Long Beach Harbor for four days as munitions were moved to and from the weapons station on a series of barges, the Navy said.

More than 700 tons of missiles and other munitions were transferred during the operation. 

"Missiles that needed recertification and periodic maintenance were unloaded from the Carl Brashear and will be taken to our surface-launched missile intermediate maintenance facility," said Craig Allen, Unit Seal Beach ordnance operations department head, in a press release from the Navy.

"At the same time, certified missiles and other munitions from the base were loaded back onto the ship."
 
Because the configuration of the bay does not support some types of Navy ships, an explosives anchorage was used in Long Beach Harbor, three miles away from the weapons station, the Navy said. Protected from heavy seas by the Long Beach breakwater, the anchorage has been in use by the base since World War II.

With the operation taking place largely outside of the base boundary, coordination with other law enforcement agencies was required. 

Working with the weapons station's security unit were patrol boats from the Long Beach Police Department, Orange County Sheriff's Department, Los Angeles Police Department and the U.S. Coast Guard.