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"Ike" and Arctic Perform Unique Underway Replenishment

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070117-10
Release Date: 1/17/2007 5:40:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Matthew Leistikow, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Public Affairs

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, At Sea (NNS) -- The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (Ike)(CVN 69) conducted a rare six-station replenishment at sea (RAS) with the Fast Combat Support Ship USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8) Jan. 15, while operating in U.S. 5th Fleet’s area of operation in support of Maritime Security Operations (MSO).

Because there are not many ships equipped to support an aircraft carrier with a six-station RAS, replenishments of that magnitude are highly uncommon.

“I was on a replenishment ship and I really can’t recall sending six stations to an aircraft carrier,” said Chief Warrant Officer Lyedell Gibson, Ike’s boatswain.

Extra stations allowed cargo to be transferred quickly between the two ships.

“I think we should use six stations more often,” said Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class (SW) David Campbell, deck plate supervisor. “That way we get more supplies.”

Ike used three stations to send and receive almost 400 pallets, and the other three stations received about three million gallons of fuel.

“We had to train up for this,” said Senior Chief Boatswain’s Mate (SW/AW) Montgomery Wolfe, Deck Department’s leading chief petty officer. “It’s right on time since it’s been a while since we’ve done a RAS.”

According to Wolfe, the use of six replenishment stations takes a considerable amount of effort.

“Using more rigs takes people off a station,” he said. “So it’s more important for everyone to know their job and do it well.”

Ike needed to make sure enough Sailors were qualified to meet the required number of personnel necessary to conduct a six-station RAS.

“Through Deck Department’s qualification program, the training we hold, and the good leadership that we have, we were able to be very successful and make this RAS seem like clockwork,” said Wolfe.

If more six-station replenishments are needed, Ike's Deck Department will be ready for the challenge.

“Eventually it will be just another day for us,” said Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class David Benkendorf, 1st Division.

Ike is the flagship for the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (CSG), which includes its embarked air wing, CVW-7, and embarked Destroyer Squadron 28; guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68); guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61); guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87); and the fast attack submarine USS Newport News (SSN 750), all homeported in Norfolk, Va.

The Ike CSG departed its homeport of Norfolk, Va., Oct. 3 for a regularly scheduled deployment in support of MSO and entered the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations Oct. 30.