Dec. 18, 2002 — The Military Sealift Command auxiliary combat stores ship USNS Spica (T-AFS 9) approaches USS Harry S. Truman. Underway Replenishment is the method by which provisions, ammunition and fuel are transferred from one ship to another at sea. The technique enables a fleet or naval formation to remain at sea for prolonged periods of time. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class John L. Beeman. [021218-N-9851B-017].
At sea aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) Feb. 24, 2002 Ð Eurocopter AS 332 Super Puma transport aircraft lift cargo from the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC) ship USNS Spica (T-AFS 9), for delivery aboard ship during a vertical replenishment in the Mediterranean Sea. The Kennedy is scheduled to relieve USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and will conduct missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
AT SEA ABOARD USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) Jan. 22, 2003 -- The guided missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68) conducts an underway replenishment (UNREP) at sea off the starboard side of the Military Sealift Command oiler USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8), while Theodore Roosevelt conducts a simultaneous replenishment operations. Roosevelt is conducting training exercises in the Caribbean Sea. U.S. Navy photo by PH2 James K. McNeil.
Underway Replenishment. This is how we refuel the ship. The two ships steam next to each other. Fuel lines are pulled across using good old fashioned man power. We receive fuel for the ship and aircraft via UNREP.
USS Cole ought not have been placed in harm's way with its needless refueling in terrorist lair Aden, Yemen.
Richard Miniter, Losing Bin Laden: How Bill Clinton's Failures Unleashed Global Terror, Regnery, 2003, page 223, describes the October 2000 White House Situation Room meeting with Cohen, Albright, Reno, Leon Fuerth, Gore's National Security Advisor--
Having managed to evade every opportunity to kill or capture bin Laden from 1993 on, the gaggle of geese now hemmed and hawed and eschewed action of any kind in the wake of the deadly attack on Cole.
A billion-dollar platform was placed in the unsecured harbor, with its watchstanders holding unloaded weapons, allowing a small craft to approach and ram the vessel midships--without so much as a "what-the-"
Unrep is the word which would have made this debacle moot.
Did you know John Kerry served in Vietnam?
John Kerry said, "If you liked Clinton, you'll love John Kerry."
John Kerry voted against the B-1, B-2, F-14, F-15, F-117, Patriot, Apache, Aegis, MX, et cetera et cetera et cetera.
John Kerry voted to cut billions from intelligence, called all American fighting men "war criminals, murderers, and rapists."
Pending the release of the Kerry military records, dental records, fingerprints, proctological exam and botox unrep report, we deem this preppie unfit to shine the boots of our "band of brothers".
With or without Max Cleland the failed grenade juggler cut from the cast of "Jackass".
U.S. Merchant Marine in Vietnam
I recall my older wiser brother USMMA '65 describing the precautions surrounding delivery of ordnance to Vietnam.
This link has a few:
The following were among the 46 precautions to be taken by the crew of the SS President Garfield (and other ships) during the particularly hazardous 35 mile river transit to Saigon:
Bridge personnel in helmets and flak suits.
Sandbags around bridge. Wheelhouse doors and windows open.
Grenade screens secured on portholes.
Engineers to go to full engine speed at first indication of attack without notifying bridge.
Only necessary persons on duty in Engine Room or on open deck. Off duty crew spread out in alleyways.
Purser standing by with medical kit.
Fire fighting equipment ready. Bilge and ballast pumps warmed up, ready to use.
Towing wires ready for tow without assist from ship crew. Both anchors ready for dropping.
And watch out for John Kerry firing .50 caliber shells at mothers with children.