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Big E Simulates UNREP in Shipyards

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050714-09
Release Date: 7/14/2005 11:45:00 AM

By Seaman Jill Broecher, USS Enterprise Public Affairs

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- The crew aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) (Big E) simulated an underway replenishment (UNREP) in the Northrop Grumman shipyards in Newport News, Va., July 12, to prepare for at-sea conditions.

Simulating this evolution while in port ensures that Sailors are ready for the real event at sea, when it is the only way of replenishing the ship's supplies.

To get the food onto Enterprise during the UNREP, civilians helped by lifting pallets onto Big E with a crane, said Culinary Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Jerry Richardson, supply department's cargo leading petty officer. During an actual UNREP, this is done by a helicopter or other ship-to-ship riggings.

According to Richardson, the working party brought 110 pallets aboard. A 100-man working party was assembled at 8 a.m. to carry out the UNREP.

When in port, Enterprise takes on stores every week and receives 45-80 pallets of food each time. Out at sea, Big E will take delivery of 250-325 pallets of food every 14 days. The reason more food came onto Enterprise during the simulated UNREP, according to Richardson, is because cargo personnel are in the process of stocking up for sea.

“Cargo is working very hard to make sure Enterprise has enough food and supplies to go underway,” said Richardson. “I have been on board eight months, and I think this is the best [organized] cargo has been.”

Because the simulated at sea training (SAST) cruise is filled with all-hands drills to ready Sailors for sea, such as general quarters, mass casualties and medical emergencies, large evolutions such as an UNREP have to be worked around these drills.

“It would have been a more difficult evolution to accomplish with general quarters drills going down,” said Richardson. “We simply have to load on the frozen food and milk first, and work forward from there. If we need to break for a drill, we will pick right back up after it’s done.”

When Enterprise is underway, conveyors are usually used during an UNREP, making the evolution move more quickly. However, according to Lt. Cmdr. Michelle Morse, assistant supply officer, a larger working party was used for this UNREP since shipyard maintenance prevents the use of conveyors.

“During an UNREP there is much concentration put on the safety of our Sailors,” said Morse. “The supply officer, several supply chiefs and the readiness officer will observe during an UNREP for the safety of all the Sailors involved.”

An UNREP is hard work, and with temperatures getting higher, Sailors need to take extra precautions.

“Safety is paramount,” said Richardson. “We wanted to make sure all our Sailors are hydrated and ready to work so we can make this a fast evolution. We supplied water for everyone involved.”

SAST cruise is a time for Big E’s crew to experience some of the things they will encounter when deployed. All hands involved in the UNREP did their part by supplying Sailors with the supplies they need for sea.