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Essex Stays On Course With CONREP, VERTREP

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS061026-10
Release Date: 10/26/2006 10:49:00 AM

From USS Essex Public Affairs

ABOARD USS ESSEX, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Essex (LHD 2) conducted two early-morning replenishment evolutions (CONREP), for training purposes, and an extensive vertical replenishment (VERTREP) for food and mail with USNS Concord (T-AFS 5) while operating off the coast of the Republic of the Philippines Oct. 24.

Essex, the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious assault ship and flagship of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), is currently leading the ARG on its annual fall patrol with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) embarked. The ship and the ARG are operating off the coast of the Philippines for exercises Talon Vision and Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) FY 07.

CONREPs (alongside connected replenishments) and VERTREPs are essential ship evolutions to sustain all ships at sea for long durations. Essex’s successful replenishments played a crucial part in fulfilling stores while also giving the crew training to replenish in future operations.

"The FXP [Fleet Exercise Publication] requirement is that we demonstrate a CONREP during the training cycle,” said Essex Deck Department’s 1st Lieutenant, Lt. Juan Gutierrez. “We don’t do it that often on board, because we tend to pull in frequently enough to resupply pier side.”

Chief Boatswain’s Mate (SW/AW) Robert E. William said the evolution went very well.

“I’ve been in the Navy for 21 years, and I’ve been involved with CONREPs for 15 of those years and it was a successful CONREP with the Concord,” said Williams.

The CONREP was only half of the early-morning evolutions. A VERTREP was next on the schedule for the ship. According to Essex Supply Department Materiel Officer, Ensign Michael P. Rigoni, receiving fresh food, like fruits and vegetables, mail and other critical items are essential for quality of life and efficient operation of the ship.

“VERTREPs allow us to transfer pallets more quickly than a CONREP,” said Rigoni. “The replenishment-at-sea (RAS) concept allows us to continue our mission by utilizing our ‘in stride’ replenishment capability.

“Replenishing the ship at sea eliminates the need for the ship to stop steaming and pull into port. This capability is the keystone for maintaining a forward, global presence,” he added.

One hundred fifty pallets, loaded with items that ranged from frozen food to mail to cleaning products, were brought to the ship via an MH-60S Knighthawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25, “Island Knights.”

The planning and coordination for a VERTREP starts long before the ship leaves its homeport.

“We began planning for this VERTREP about six weeks before the start of the Blue/Green workups with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and the subsequent fall patrol. It was essential that we notify Commander, Logistics Western Pacific (CLWP) well in advance so they could coordinate with the area supply ship,” said Rigoni.

Even though the coordination was mainly accomplished by Essex’s supply department, Rigoni said it was a combined effort with other departments on the ship.

“The other departments involved include operations, air and combat cargo,” said Rigoni. “Additionally, each department on the ship provides personnel for a working party to move all the supplies to various areas of the ship for immediate use or to be stored for later use.”

Culinary Specialist Seaman Lehi Dominquez, one of the workers helping to move the oncoming supplies, said he saw just how important the evolutions were.

“I think it’s been a really productive day,” said Dominquez. “Everyone seems to be helping because it’s all supplies for the crew and the ship,”

Essex is the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious assault ship and is the flagship for the Sasebo, Japan-based Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), which serves under Commander, Task Force 76. Task Force 76 is the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious force and is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.