USS Leyte Gulf Conducts Replenishment with USNS Alan Shepard

ARABIAN SEA

06.22.2019

Story by Seaman Zachary Pearson 

Carrier Strike Group 12

The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) conducted a replenishment-at-sea (RAS) with the dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE 3), June 22.
RASs are essential to any ship’s combat readiness. They allow a ship to replenish the required fuel, food and ammunition without pulling into port.
“We have to own the fight,” said Lt. Cmdr. Graham Van Hook, operations officer aboard Leyte Gulf. “Conducting a replenishment-at-sea is critical and ensures that we are at full strength to jump into the arena when the bell rings. The U.S. Navy is the best in the world at replenishing-at-sea. Period. We have done it for over 100 years. It continues to give us that running start to move out when called.”
Readiness is one of the most important elements for every ship in the Navy.
“We have to always be prepared for the expected and the unexpected,” said Cmdr. Shaun Dennis, executive officer aboard Leyte Gulf. “We train for months on end for this. If called upon, we have to be ready. Food, fuel and ammo, and other supplies are part of that readiness. In order to maintain our readiness, we will always need the logistical support to make it happen and our supply department does an outstanding job ensuring that we have that support.”
The supply department plays a vital role in achieving readiness. Every part, store or gallon of fuel is carefully tracked throughout the stages of ordering, shipping and arrival.
"Readiness is our main objective,” said Lt. Tim Vadala, supply officer aboard Leyte Gulf. “Replenishments bring essential parts to fix equipment, ammunition for our weapon systems, food to feed the crew, and even mail from loved ones to help keep spirits high. So, the Supply Department's role in keeping this ship moving and fighting is critical."
Leyte Gulf is underway as part of Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group's deployment in support of maritime security cooperation efforts in U.S. 5th, 6th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility.
With Abraham Lincoln as the flagship, deploying strike group assets include staffs, ships and aircraft of Carrier Strike Group 12 (CSG 12), Destroyer Squadron 2 (DESRON 2), USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) and Carrier Air Wing 7 (CVW 7).
For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil/, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy/, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy/.
For more news about the Leyte Gulf visit www.facebook.com/ussleytegulfcg55/.

• Date Taken: 06.22.2019
• Date Posted: 06.25.2019 12:30
• Story ID: 328861
• Location: ARABIAN SEA