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Supply Ship Passes Major Milestone

Navy NewStand

Story Number: NNS030418-06
Release Date: 4/18/2003 11:34:00 PM

By Journalist 1st Class Ron Poole, USS Rainer Public Affairs

ABOARD USS RAINER, At Sea (NNS) -- Newscasts these days are replete with images of ships launching Tomahawk missiles and jets taking off from the decks of aircraft carriers.

Behind these scenes is the continuous support effort required to keep these ships and aircraft moving.

Ships and aircraft need fuel. Without it, they can't get on station to complete their mission. The demand for Diesel Fuel Marine(DFM) and JP-5 jet fuel during Operation Iraqi Freedom has been high. USS Rainier (AOE 7) has been meeting that demand every day since its arrival to the Arabian Gulf in December.

The crew of Rainier recently surpassed the 100 million gallon mark of fuel transferred during 172 underway replenishment (UNREP) operations since the ship left its home port of Bremerton, Wash.

"Our customer list is huge," says Lt. j.g. Michael Ward, Rainier's fuels officer. "The schedule can change on a moment's notice, so we often have to add or delete a ship at the last minute. Two of the three aircraft carriers in our area are conventional-fueled, and they need fuel every four or five days," Ward says. "We need to be there for them. Otherwise, they don't get on station, and the planes don't fly."

With only 10 people, Fuels division is one of the smallest on Rainier. "My guys are awesome," says Ward of his division. "They're out on station, transferring fuel during every UNREP, then they go and do the preventative maintenance on their equipment. It makes for a long workday, but they get the job done."

Along with the enginemen in his division, Ward has a couple damage controlmen lending a helping hand. "They fill some of the gaps as console and station operators and topside supervisors. I really appreciate what they do for us," Ward says.

"We pride ourselves on getting the job done safely," comments Engineman 1st Class Brad Yenerich, leading petty officer of Fuels division.

According to Yenerich, the consequences of a mishap could be catastrophic.

"There are no second chances when we are transferring fuel. We have to get it right the first time," he explains.

Over-pressurizing a fuel line or failing to stop pumping at the correct time could spill fuel into the sea or cause a mishap on the receiving ship.

"We haven't spilled a drop in over a hundred million gallons. I think that's pretty good," Yenerich.