USS Carr (FFG 52) conducted what is scheduled to be the ship’s last underway replenishment, Aug. 20 before decommissioning in March 2013.
Carr is currently deployed to U.S. Fourth Fleet (C4F) area of responsibility in support of Operation Martillo.
Carr’s Operations Officer, Lt. Brenda Beznoska , guided the ship alongside the supply ship USNS Sacagawea and took on 56,979 gallons of fuel. Carr also received goods, food and parts during a vertical replenishment (VERTREP).
“In my two years in command I have watched Deck Division become extremely proficient during underway replenishments; I repeatedly get positive comments from replenishment ship commanding officers regarding the professionalism of the refueling team and bridge team.” said Carr’s Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Patrick Kulakowski.
Ships assigned to the Fourth Fleet’s area of responsibility usually need to pull into port for logistics support; however, with USNS Sacagawea in theater, Carr was able to replenish at sea. Carr’s embarked SH-60B Helicopter Squadron Light, detachment 48.2 (HSL-48.2) crew spent six hours transferring 85 pallets of food, stores, mail, parts from Sacagawea to Carr and delivering 23 pallets of supplies to the USS Underwood, also assigned to C4F.
“Even though we do not do it often, vertical replenishment is a part of our skill set. This VERTREP allowed our junior aviators to gain valuable experience and ensured the senior aviators remained proficient,” said Lt. Josh Haggard from HSL 48.2.
Carr is home ported in Norfolk, Va., and is currently deployed in support of Operation Martillo, under operational control of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and C4F (COMUSNAVSO/C4F) while conducting counter transnational organized crime (C-TOC) operations in support of Joint Interagency Task Force – South, U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM), and U.S. Coast Guard District Seven.
C4F supports USSOUTHCOM joint and combined full-spectrum military operations by providing principally sea-based, forward presence to ensure freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain, to foster and sustain cooperative relationships with international partners and to fully exploit the sea as maneuver space in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, August 23, 2012; Image: US Navy