Abraham Lincoln Complete First RAS in Four Years

ATLANTIC OCEAN

06.02.2017

Courtesy Story

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)   

The nearly 1.8 million gallons of fuel transfer were transferred in preparation for Lincoln’s upcoming flight deck certification.
“A RAS will allow a ship to stay out to sea for a prolonged period of time. Proper execution is an essential part of our mission readiness and return to the fleet,” said Lt. j.g. Nelson Lubin, the fuels boatswain aboard Abraham Lincoln.
Taking on fuel with a RAS is faster than obtaining it in port, but it is much more dangerous. Having the ability to safely conduct a RAS is a requirement for all ships.
The two ships involved in a RAS must be closer than 200 feet during the transfer. Keeping the carrier on a straight course while being that close to another ship is difficult in and of itself, but when fuel is added into the mix the risk factor increases.
The two ships are attached by rigging lines and must carefully remain at identical speeds to ensure the fuel lines do not stretch or break.
“I felt confident in my team. The work they have put in and the training they have undergone to provide this ship with the necessary fuel to operate,” said Lubin. “This has been a long time coming and we were ready.”
The complex RAS was a major milestone for the Abraham Lincoln, which has spent the last four years in in the shipyard undergoing a refueling and complex overhaul.
Abraham Lincoln is underway conducting carrier qualification and flight deck certification to ensure the ship and embarked air wing is able to safely launch and recover aircraft.

• Date Taken: 06.02.2017
• Date Posted: 06.02.2017 20:10
• Story ID: 236225
• Location: ATLANTIC OCEAN