Norfolk Va. (Sept. 19, 2025) – Seventeen Air Force officers visiting from the Advanced Logistics Readiness Officer (ALROC) Course at Fort Gregg-Adams, Va., met with Military Sealift Command on Aug. 20, 2025, where they received the command’s brief and toured MSC’s replenishment oiler USNS Kanawha (T-AO 196).
MSC provides continuous support to joint warfighters around the world through agile logistics and strategic sealift. The command brief explained how MSC’s mission is accomplished across the full range of military operations.
For Air Force Lt. Col. Johanna B. O’Toole, director of the Advanced Logistics Readiness Officer Course (ALROC), the visit to MSC was particularly insightful. The visit illustrated the critical importance of strategic sealift in executing global deployment and distribution operations, a vital lesson for officers who must understand the capabilities of all services. O'Toole explained that with strategic airlift's limited availability, students learned that commanders' courses of action should consider all transport options, not just the fastest method of airlift. While strategic airlift offers speed, she said, its limited capacity and high cost can make it infeasible. “Maritime transport, in contrast, is a cost-effective solution for large-scale movements, provided planners can anticipate requirements and account for longer transit times.”
Likewise, O’Toole said the class appreciated the discussion on MSC’s current challenges, which are not unlike the challenges the Air Force faces today. “The students were able to draw parallels between MSC and the US Air Force’s Air Mobility Command when it comes to maintaining readiness of an aging fleet given industrial base challenges and retaining a qualified labor force in the depots, amongst many other common logistics challenges.”
Following the command brief, students toured the USNS Kanawha. The Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler is part of MSC’s Combat Logistics Force (CLF), serving as a vital supply line for the U.S. Navy. Third Officer Josh Bullock led the one-hour tour, during which he expertly explained the ship's various intricacies.
Bullock emphasized Kanawha’s critical role as a lifeline at sea. "Its ability to deliver fuel, supplies, and critical logistics support means our warships can stay out at sea longer to fight and remain ready to respond at a moment’s notice," he explained. "This capability dramatically extends the Navy’s operational reach and endurance, making the Kanawha an indispensable asset to the fleet.”
For Bullock, showcasing the ship was a way to highlight a crucial aspect of naval power. The Kanawha "represents the unseen but vital backbone of the US Navy." Her role, though less visible than that of carriers and cruisers, demonstrates the teamwork, precision, and dedication required to project American sea power, he said.
Recently, the 71-member crew of the Kanawha earned the Navy Unit Commendation for keeping the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group operational amidst Houthi attacks during a critical eight-month Red Sea deployment from October 2023 to May 2024.
For more information about MSC ships, visit the Military Sealift Command website at https://sealiftcommand.com.