Army plans second watercraft company in Japan to expand Pacific logistics

Army to add second watercraft company in Yokohama, boosting Pacific logistics, troop transport and testing autonomous vessels for future operations. The USAV Paulus Hook, a U.S. Army landing craft utility assigned to the 5th Transportation Company in Japan, visits Townsville, Australia, July 18, 2025. (Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes) The U.S. Army plans to station a second watercraft company in Yokohama, Japan, expanding its ability to move troops, equipment and supplies across the Pacific while exploring the use of autonomous vessels. The new unit will operate from Yokohama North Dock, Maj. Adan Cazarez, a spokesman for the Hawaii-based 8th Theater Sustainment Command, confirmed by email Wednesday. “This new company will operate manned vessels, including tugs, landing craft, and eventually the next-generation Maneuver Support Vessel (Light),” he wrote.

Cazarez did not provide a timeline for the unit’s activation. The Army established the 280-soldier 5th Transportation Company in Yokohama in February 2024. A composite watercraft company is designed to operate five landing craft utility vessels, two tugboats and four maneuver support vessels, along with a harbormaster operations detachment responsible for maintenance, according to a May 24, 2021, Army news release. The second company’s planned establishment follows U.S.-Japan consultations in Washington in January 2023 aimed at strengthening maritime transportation and logistics capabilities, Cazarez said. Maj. Gen. Frederick Crist, commander of the 8th Theater Sustainment