Fifteen Years in the Western Pacific: USNS Walter S. Diehl Shifts to Naval Station Norfolk

Photo By LaShawn Sykes | The evolution signified the completion of a 15-year forward deployment that began February 24, 2005 in support of military operations in U.S. 7th, 6th, 5th, and 2nd Fleets’ areas of responsibility. A return from being forward deployed coupled with a coastal swap seldom occurs, and its length and magnitude are noteworthy said ship’s master, Captain Andrew Chen. “Steaming 997,495 nautical miles to participate in 389 voyages, Diehl traversed more than half the globe providing critical logistics support to the U.S. Navy and partner nations in Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Italy, Turkey, India, Pakistan, Germany, France, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, and Spain.”  

NORFOLK, VA, UNITED STATES

09.21.2020

Story by LaShawn Sykes 

USN Military Sealift Command

Military Sealift Command’s fleet replenishment oiler USNS Walter S. Diehl (T-AO 193) shifted its hub port in Naval Station San Diego to Naval Station Norfolk, September 20. Diehl arrived NAVSTA with 89 civil service mariners, 42 of whom are from the Hampton Roads Area.

The evolution signified the completion of a 15-year forward deployment that began February 24, 2005 in support of military operations in U.S. 7th, 6th, 5th, and 2nd Fleets’ areas of responsibility. A return from being forward deployed coupled with a coastal swap seldom occurs, and its length and magnitude are noteworthy said ship’s master, Captain Andrew Chen. “Steaming 997,495 nautical miles to participate in 389 voyages, Diehl traversed more than half the globe providing critical logistics support to the U.S. Navy and partner nations in Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Italy, Turkey, India, Pakistan, Germany, France, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, and Spain.”

Diehl also participated in a multitude of underway replenishment services of Naval Forces exercises and operations to strengthen relationships with U.S. allies and regional partners in the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and as Far East as Japan. The accomplishments of the crew are staggering and the ship’s numbers are truly impressive, added Chen. “Supporting numerous U.S. and Coalition ships, the oiler executed 74 underway replenishments and transferred 20 million gallons of fuel and 1,550 pallets of cargo with high precision.”

“Underway Replenishment or UNREP is a broad term for supplying ships at sea with fuel, stores, parts, and ammunition by way of connected replenishment (CONREP) or vertical replenishment (VERTREP). UNREP was first developed in the early 20th century and the Standard Tensioned Replenishment Alongside Method, or STREAM is the evolution of over 100 years of development. UNREP is a vital capability that enables the joint warfighter and partner nations to keep their forces at sea and on station. Their ability to remain “in the fight” and have Combat Logistics Forces, like Diehl, rendezvous underway is critical in meeting strategic and tactical objectives,” said Chen.

What really makes Diehl come alive is the dedication and tenacity of her CIVMARS who perform all required tasks aboard the ship to include navigation, propulsion equipment operation, and maintenance, said Chen. “Their ability to pivot at a moment’s notice to ensure the Fleet and partner nations are supplied is just an amazing thing to observe as a ship’s master.”

Chen refers to Diehl’s CIVMARS as merchant mariner heroes. “As federal critical infrastructure workers, they have performed admirably during our deployment across three-quarters of the world, providing world class combat logistic service despite the restrictions placed on the ship and crew due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.”

Diehl is also lauded for further enhancing regional relationships during the ship’s friendship building visit to the Philippines’ Subic Bay “Center for the Girls and Differently Abled Persons”. The crew made a lasting impact on the orphanage by supplying the home with much needed supplies, clothing, toys, sporting goods, food, water, and a monetary donation of 42,095 pesos. “The entire crew proudly represented MSC’s Combat Logistics Force, the U.S. Navy, and the Nation,” Chen said.

Captain Andrew Chen is the 11th master to serve aboard Diehl during the ship’s 15-year forward deployment.

Diehl is one of 15 Henry J. Kaiser Class tankers and is equipped with UNREP rigs for both fuel and cargo operations and a flight deck for VERTREP. They have been the work horses of MSC’s Combat Logistics Fleet since the mid-1980s.

MSC operates approximately 120 non-combatant civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships, conduct specialized missions, and strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world while moving military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces and coalition partners.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more information from Military Sealift Command, visit www.msc.navy.mil.

• Date Taken: 09.21.2020
• Date Posted: 09.21.2020 11:24
• Story ID: 378226
• Location: NORFOLK, VA, US