Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), successfully completed a replenishment-at-sea (RAS) with the Military Sealift Command USNS Richard E. Byrd (T-AKE 4) the afternoon of July 20.
The RAS lasted roughly two hours with more than 120,000 gallons of fuel being transferred to Roosevelt. Byrd is one of 12 dry cargo/ammunition ships operated by Military Sealift Command that provide underway replenishment of fuel to U.S. Navy ships at sea. Byrd pulled alongside the Roosevelt to coordinate the transfer of fuel lines from one ship to the other.
The RAS began when the two ships were traveling parallel to each other moving at the same speed. Once the ships are at a close enough proximity, Sailors shot a phone and distance line from the receiving ship to Byrd to establish communication and help keep accurate distance between each ship. Once communications were established, the process of transferring the fuel lines began.
“Without proper teamwork, the whole evolution could completely come apart,” said Cmdr. Jason Reller, commanding officer of Roosevelt. “It takes the diligence of both ships to ensure a successful RAS.”
Once the fuel transfer hoses successfully coupled the ships, the refueling could begin.
Roosevelt is deployed as a part of the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group supporting maritime security operations and theater security co-operation efforts in the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility.