Mark VI boat crews test astern refueling skills in Guam

US Navy sailors assigned to Coastal Riverine Squadron (CRS) 2 carried out an astern refueling training drill with the Military Sealift Command maritime prepositioning force container, roll-on/roll-off and mobile landing platform USNS Dahl (T-AKR 312) in Guam’s Apra Harbor on May 24.

The coastal riverine force has done an astern replenishment at sea a few times over the years, and this is the first time it’s been conducted in Guam in several years.

“It’s extremely important to prove the concept of getting fuel from a non-traditional expeditionary support platform,” said Lt. Max Duncan, Patrol Officer, from Ithaca, New York.

Duncan added, “It’s important to us because it will allow us to reach out far beyond Guam to other island chains in the Federated States of Micronesia, and even farther.”

The stern refueling is a proof-of-concept with the Dahl to demonstrate the Mark VI’s ability to conduct a RAS, ultimately allowing the patrol boats extended sustainment while at sea.

“Sailors performed at the absolute highest levels. The evolution was swift, safe and a complete mission success. The whole thing could not have gone any better from my perspective,” said Duncan

CRS-2, assigned to Coastal Riverine Group 1, Det. Guam, is capable of conducting maritime security operations across the full spectrum of naval, joint and combined operations. Further, it provides additional capabilities of port security, embarked security and theater security cooperation around the US 7th Fleet area of operations.