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Replenishment at Sea Aboard Nimitz

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070424-01
Release Date: 4/24/2007 11:18:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Sarah E. Bitter, USS Nimitz Public Affairs

USS Nimitz, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Nimitz (CVN 68) participated in a replenishment at sea (RAS) with USNS Rainier (T-AOE 7) and USNS Flint (T-AE 26) April 12.

A RAS is an evolution performed by naval ships every 10 to 14 days they are out to sea. It is necessary for the ship to have proper food, supplies, and fuel to stay at sea for extended periods of time.

“It enables us to sustain ourselves at sea, and allows us to complete our mission without having to pull into ports,” said Cmdr. Kevin Head, supply officer.

A RAS is an all hands evolution which can include up to a 200-man working party. Deck and Navigation are among the departments on the carrier which play a major role in a successful underway replenishment.

“This evolution was absolutely outstanding. Deck Department did a tremendous job in setting the rigs across as well as their ability to transfer fuel. Navigation made sure the ship went along safely and smoothly,” said Nimitz’s Command Master Chief (AW/SW) Billy Ward. “This was an all hands evolution in which everyone aboard pitched in and as always it was a five-star Nimitz event.”

There are a lot of dangers involved in this evolution: Safety is one of the biggest concerns.

“This evolution is very dangerous; a line can snap back and cut you in half. There is the possibility that ships can collide with one another,” said Chief Storekeeper (SW) Geoffrey Ventura.

One of the reasons why ships conduct a RAS is because they have limited storage and cargo space. “We can only store so much food and supplies aboard so we have to replenish about every 10 days,” added Ventura.

Replenishments at sea also help improve morale for the ship’s crew while they are out to sea. They provide main supplies as well as little extras such as candy and snacks for the crew.

“I think the RAS is a wonderful thing because the supplies we need for health and comfort boost morale of the crew,” said Machinist’s Mate 1st Class (SW) T.L. Walker.

During this RAS, Nimitz took aboard 602,000 pounds of food, 1.3 million gallons of jet petroleum, 451.20 tons of ammunition from Rainier and 40.31 tons of ammunition from Flint.

Commanded by Capt. Mike Manazir, Nimitz is the flagship for Carrier Strike Group 11, and is currently deployed in support of operations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.