Dubuque Completes UNREP During COMPTUEX
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS100330-30
Release Date: 3/30/2010 5:59:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class David Mckee, USS Dubuque Public Affairs
USS DUBUQUE, At Sea (NNS) -- The Landing Platform Dock USS Dubuque (LPD 8) completed an underway replenishment (UNREP) March 26 during its Combined Unit Training Exercise (COMTUEX).
Navy ships must remain at sea for extended periods of time, often without a friendly port to receive supplys from. An UNREP allows a ship to remain at sea and take on stores, fuel and ammunition.
Dubuque conducted two kinds of connected replenishments with the Fleet Replenishment Oiler USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO 187). It received 184,000 gallons of fuel in a fueling at sea and deck personnel practiced a replenishment at sea.
Spanwires and highlines were suspended between Dubuque and Henry J. Kaiser to send across a single-hose fuel rig with probe and a cargo rig.
"Imagine two buildings with laundry lines connecting them," said Senior Chief Boatswain's Mate (SW/AW) Carlos Aguillon. "They are taking in their line and we are receiving the object on our side."
During the evolution, Dubuque pulled alongside the replenishing vessel and maintained a steady course alongside at a distance of 180 feet and 12 knots per hour. A slight variation in course could cause the ships to shift direction. Not only is collision a great concern, but the line handlers are put in harm's way if the ships drift apart.
"It's very dangerous, especially when you have two ships 200 feet apart and lines are under tension," said Chief Boatswain's Mate (SW) Nathanial Smith.
The UNREP is one of several evolutions Dubuque is conducting during COMPTUEX with the USS Peleliu (LHA 5) Amphibious Readiness Group and Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
The goal of the exercise is a certification that allows the Navy and Marine Corps to conduct sustained operations beginning later this spring.
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