Photo By Seaman Joshua Cassatt | Two pallets of supplies are transferred between USNS Bridge (T-AOE 10) and USS...... read more read more
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By Seaman Joshua Cassatt
U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs
ABOARD USNS BRIDGE – USNS Bridge (T-AOE 10) is currently providing logistics support for Navy warships conducting maritime operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO).
The ship provides fuel, food and refrigerated goods, stores and parts, ammunition, and can move at speeds of up to 30 knots, making it capable of keeping up with the rest of the fleet ships.
"We work hard at logistics so they don't have to," said Capt. Jeffrey Siepert, Bridge's master. "We don't care where we go or how long we stay. We're 'on hire' 270 days of the year."
Combined Task Force (CTF) 53 Commodore Glen Spears II said supply ships such as Bridge are tremendous assets to the U.S. Navy.
"There is no other navy in the world that can sustain itself at sea like we can, and Bridge plays a significant role in that sustainment," said Sears.
Bridge is part of the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group, but is managed directly by the Military Sealift Command (MSC). Bridge transferred to MSC in June 2004 and is one of four fast combat forward supply ships in CTF 53 deployed to the 5th Fleet AOO.
The mission of CTF 53 is to provide logistic support to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) and coalition forces, provide sustainment at sea, move materiel throughout the theater, coordinate with MSC, coordinate maintenance for Navy ships and coordinate all strategic sealift operations in the 5th Fleet AOO.
Bridge, which is operated by civilian merchant mariners working for Military Sealift Command, takes tremendous pride in their role as a support ship for the Navy.
"The most rewarding part of our job is keeping the customer ships happy," said Siepert. "Hearing feedback from the warfighters that they are able to continue their mission and do what they have to do; it's great to be a part of that."
In addition to the ship's civilian crew, Bridge has an embarked helicopter squadron, Helicopter Squadron Combatant 23, Detachment 2 "Wildcards."
"Our job is to maintain the helicopter and make sure it is 100 percent flight ready at all times," said Aviation Technician 3rd Class Max Bloom. "We get the helicopter up and work with Bridge's crew during vertical replenishments. They load and place the pallets, and we hook them up and transport them."
The cooperation and singular mission of both civilians and Sailors make Bridge an efficient, capable partner for Navy ships in the region.
Fulfilling the role as a supply asset to the Navy is how Bridge contributes to the overall mission of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and maritime operations.
"Every single person on this ship is a tremendous patriot," Siepert said. "This is our contribution to the nation, and it's very rewarding and something we are very proud of."
Bridge comes through the 5th Fleet area of operations every year to provide logistics support to ships in theater, Siepert said.
Bridge entered the Persian Gulf Feb. 19 on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of maritime operations. Maritime operations help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment and complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts in regional nations' littoral waters. Coalition forces also conduct maritime operations under international maritime conventions to ensure security and safety in international waters so that commercial shipping and fishing can occur safely in the region.
| Date Taken: | 06.14.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 06.14.2007 13:38 |
| Story ID: | 10820 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 233 |
| Downloads: | 184 |
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