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Posted on 02/22/2004 4:07:34 AM PST by snippy_about_it
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 are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.
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| Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support. The FReeper Foxhole hopes to share with it's readers an open forum where we can learn about and discuss military history, military news and other topics of concern or interest to our readers be they Veteran's, Current Duty or anyone interested in what we have to offer. If the Foxhole makes someone appreciate, even a little, what others have sacrificed for us, then it has accomplished one of it's missions. We hope the Foxhole in some small way helps us to remember and honor those who came before us.
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 The ships of Military Sealift Command's Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force are the lifeline to U.S. Navy ships at sea. Providing fuel, food, ammunition, spare parts and other supplies, Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force, or NFAF, ships enable the Navy fleet to operate at the highest operational tempo possible. NFAF ships provide underway replenishment services to U.S. Navy ships worldwide alleviating the need for them to constantly return to port for supplies. Military Sealift Command's Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force Program is composed of fleet ocean tugs, fast combat support ships, oilers, combat stores ships and ammunition ships plus two hospital ships that are kept in a reduced operating status. Besides delivering supplies at sea, NFAF ships also conduct towing and salvage operations and serve as floating medical facilities. MSC's 36 NFAF ships are government-owned vessels crewed by civil service mariners. Small Navy departments that previously handled communications and signaling are being replaced by civilian mariners in a program that will be complete by FY 2002. A similar program will replace some Navy supply personnel with CIVMARs aboard MSC's six combat stores ships. Fourteen underway replenishment oilers, such as USNS Patuxent, USNS Kanawha and USNS Guadalupe, provide underway replenishment of fuel to Navy ships at sea and jet fuel for aircraft assigned to aircraft carriers. Three of the newest MSC underway replenishment oilers have double hulls.  Six combat stores ships, such as USNS Concord, USNS Sirius and USNS San Jose, provide underway replenishment of all types of supplies, ranging from repair parts to fresh food and clothing. Five ocean-going tugs, such as USNS Sioux and USNS Mohawk, provide the Navy with towing service, and, when augmented by Navy divers, assist in the recovery of downed ships and aircraft.  Ammunition ships ensure that Navy battle groups are the highly mobile "sea bases" they must be to deter aggression and protect U.S. interests. MSC's six ammunition ships, such as USNS Flint and USNS Mount Baker, efficiently move tons of ammunition through a combination of at-sea, side-by-side line transfers and vertical lifts via helicopters.  The NFAF Program also manages the operation of the Navy's two hospital ships -- USNS Comfort and USNS Mercy -- designed to provide emergency, on-site care for U.S. combat forces. Comfort and Mercy, which each contain 12 operating rooms and a 1,000-bed hospital facility, are normally kept in a reduced-operating-status. When called into action, they can be ready to sail in five days with a crew of 70 civilian mariners and a medical staff of more than 1,200 military medical personnel.  The Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force began in 1972 with the transfer of the fleet oiler Taluga to MSC after a series of tests showed civilian crews could operate the Navy's fleet support ships more efficiently than Navy sailors. The impressive cost savings resulting from the use of MSC civilian crews continues to grow each year as Military Sealift Command assumes more of the Navy's combat logistics role. In the next few years, MSC expects that trend to continue, as additional Navy resupply ships and missions are transferred to the command. In the years to come, the Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force will continue to be a vital, highly-productive and important support element for the U.S. Navy. NFAF plays an essential part in the Navy's ability to position itself "Forward...From the Sea."      |
Whew! One less thing to worry about ;-)
Yep, late sixties early seventies, but now I'm dating myself!
Bad Pun alert....Might as well date myself, no one else will
LOL. Thanks. I'm just trying to add some humor, bad as it is, to mostly depressing news stories lately.
The universe maybe but I doubt any people will be left. Heck, I think it's too crowded now!
Phew, that's a load off of my mind.
LOL. I was stuffed at the time but it sure looks good right about now!
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