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USS Ross Conducts Vertical Replenishment

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080310-03
Release Date: 3/10/2008 11:14:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Cory Rose, Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group Public Affairs

USS ROSS, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Ross (DDG 71) conducted a vertical replenishment (VERTREP) with an SH-60 Seahawk, Feb. 28, as the Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group's (NASSG) guided-missile destroyer continued its transit into the Navy's 6th Fleet operating area.

Conducting a VERTREP allows Ross and other ships within NASSG to remain fully mission capable to carry out all assigned tasks while at sea for prolonged periods of time, possibly in areas of the world where friendly resupply ports are not available.

These replenishments allow ships at sea to get supplies that they might need without having to pull into port.
During a VERTREP a helicopter drops pallets of food and supplies to the flight deck of a ship while a working party stands by to retrieve the supplies to take them into the skin of the ship.

"The helicopter drops off the supplies that are needed while a working party is standing by to move the supplies where they are needed," said Boatswain's Mate 1st Class (SW) Brandley Sinoc.

While a VERTREP can be challenging at times, it can also be exciting to those that take part in this vital evolution. Likewise, safety is always paramount during these operations. Being knowledgeable and prepared for the different evolutions onboard a ship can help ensure that every evolution will be a safe one.

"The most exciting part of a VERTREP is being right underneath of the helicopter as it hovers overhead to pick up the pallets and cargo nets that were left behind," said Boatswain's Mate Seaman Ryan Waple.

"We received the supplies that were needed, and no one got hurt during what I would call a flawless evolution," said Sinoc.

Ross is a member of the NASSG currently operating in the Navy's 6th Fleet area of operations to support Maritime Security Operations (MSO) and Theater Security Cooperation efforts. MSO helps set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations.

For more news from Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group, visit www.navy.mil/local/esg8/.