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Essex Conducts Successful Underway Replenishment with Australian Tanker

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090713-04
Release Date: 7/13/2009 3:47:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Greg Johnson, USS Essex Public Affairs

USS ESSEX, At Sea (NNS) -- The forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) conducted a replenishment at sea (RAS) with the Australian tanker HMAS Success (OR 304) July 11 off the coast of Australia.

Essex Sailors received almost 300,000 gallons of marine diesel fuel during the ship's first replenishment with an Australian vessel since 2007.

"It's a great opportunity to conduct an underway replenishment with a partner nation," said Capt. Brent Canady, Essex's commanding officer. "Experiences like this are mutually beneficial by enabling our navies to practice additional interoperability so we can be better prepared to work together on short notice if required."

Despite a trace of unfamiliarity, Essex and Australian Sailors overcame challenges and executed the RAS with precision. According to Australian Navy Lt. Cmdr. Chris Grudgin, Australian Amphibious Task Force N5, the success can be partially attributed to a strict and universal operating procedure.

"We follow an established doctrine and procedures for everything," said Grudgin. "That's why we can come alongside and give these ships fuel."

While following standard procedures added to the success of the mission, Essex deck department Sailors still faced unexpected challenges.

"The way they set up their messenger line was different from what we're used to," said Chief Boatswain's Mate (SW/AW) Cordones Zorilla, Essex's second division leading chief petty officer. "We conducted training yesterday to make sure everyone knew what to expect…which was to be flexible."

Training proved instrumental for many Sailors involved in the RAS, said Boatswain's Mate Seaman (SW) Kevin Harris, who has been a part of dozens of replenishment operations since reporting to Essex in 2004.

"It really helps out the younger guys out there," said Harris. "If you haven't been out there before, you don't really know what's going on, but training helps get you up to speed with everyone else."

The RAS was Essex's last before the start of exercise Talisman Saber 2009 (TS09).

"I thought we did pretty well," said Zorilla. "I think yesterday's training made a big difference."

TS09 is a biennial, training activity designed to train Australian and U.S. forces in planning and conducting combined operations, which will help improve combat readiness and interoperability between Australian and U.S. forces.

Essex is the lead ship of the only forward-deployed Amphibious Ready Group and serves as the flagship for Combined Task Force (CTF) 76, the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious force commander. CTF 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with a detachment in Sasebo, Japan.