Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force (NFAF - PM1)

Military Sealift Command's Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force provides direct support to US Navy combatant ships worldwide. US Civil Service mariners crew all NFAF ships, and all NFAF ships have a small US Navy military department on board to provide technical support and to handle communications and helicopter operations. On refrigerated stores ships, Navy personnel also conduct supply operations. Combat Logistics Force [COMLOGFOR / CLF] ships deliver fuel, food, ammunition and other supplies at sea. Other NFAF ships provide towing and salvage services.

MSC operated six ocean-going fleet tugs in 1999. Three of the fleet tugs performed towing services and provided diving platform and other miscellaneous services on the East and West Coasts. Three of the tugs were forward deployed, one in the Persian Gulf, one in the Mediterranean Sea and one in the western Pacific Ocean, performing services for Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Fleets.

The NFAF also includes two 1,000-bed hospital ships, USNS Mercy and USNS Comfort, which are retained in reduced operating status and can be fully crewed and staffed in five days. Military medical professionals staff the medical facilities aboard the hospital ships.