The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG 54) conducted its first replenishment-at-sea (RAS) of its patrol, May 25.
The mighty Antietam’s deck department was at the heart of the evolution and was responsible for safely receiving 30 pallets of supplies via vertical replenishment (VERTREP) and approximately 200,000 gallons of fuel via connected replenishment.
Antietam began the RAS by approaching the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Rappahannock (T-AO 204) to commence its fueling-at-sea.
MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopters from the “Island Knights” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 were soon delivering supplies from the Military Sealift Command dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE 11) onto Antietam’s flight deck.
As the VERTREP comes to a close, the ship continues its normal operations within its forward-deployed area of responsibilities.
Antietam is on patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
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Image: US Navy