USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) pulled alongside the supply ship USNS Kanawha (T-AO 196) Sept. 17 and conducted its first underway replenishment (UNREP) in more than four years.
Kanawha transferred more than 600,000 gallons of JP-5 jet-fuel to Theodore Roosevelt during the UNREP, which is a complex undertaking that involves the entire crew and demonstrates the ship’s ability to sustain itself at sea.
“We ensured that the ship was on station on time and got to the rendezvous point safely,” said Quartermaster 2nd Class Meghan Carter. “We assisted the Officer of the Deck with a safe course to steer and recommended a speed to get us there.”
Sailors aboard Theodore Roosevelt spent a considerable amount of time training for the UNREP to ensure the event went as smooth as possible. A number of Sailors were sent to other ships to receive more extensive training.
Boatswain’s Mate Seaman Henry Cole said Sailors were sent on temporary assigned duties (TAD) to USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) to learn how to properly execute an UNREP.
“We all have put in a lot of training for it and to see it come together is great,” said Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Colton Miles.
The UNREP was a good opportunity for TR Sailors with limited sea time to gauge their skills.
“I am excited to be a part of Theodore Roosevelt’s first replenishment [in over four years],” said Cole. “I felt like the replenishment went well and I am glad to be doing my job during it.”
“We can always get better as we go on,” said Miles. “This was many Sailors’ first UNREP and what we didn’t do right the first time, we will get right the next time.”
[mappress] Press Release, September 23, 2013; Image: US Navy