The U.S. Navy’s newest amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), currently on its maiden deployment, completed the first connective replenishment (CONREP), as well as first replenishment-at-sea (RAS) and vertical replenishment (VERTREP) on July 19.
The supplies were provided by the Military Sealift Command Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Matthew Perry (T-AKE 9).
During the CONREP, sailors polished their skills in bringing in supplies, while marines refined their talent on the flight deck as they wrangled in materials flown in by helicopters during the VERTREP.
Conducting these evolutions successfully is pivotal to allow the ship to remain at sea for extended periods of time without having to pull into port for fuel, food or equipment.
“We are topping off our supplies to continue to be underway for the next several weeks,” said Lt. Jan-Paul Amposta , principal assistant for logistics aboard America. “We do this to ensure the crew of America is fed (and) that we have a fresh supply of fruits, vegetables, milk and provisions to keep the crew sustained.”
America received more than 75 pallets of cargo comprised of goods and equipment necessary to continue the mission.
America is currently deployed as part of the America amphibious ready group, commanded by Amphibious Squadron 3. The ARG also consists of the amphibious transport dock USS San Diego (LPD 22) and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52). They are operating with embarked forces of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), the “Wildcards” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23, and detachments from Assault Craft Unit 5, Naval Beach Group 1, Beachmaster Unit 1, Fleet Surgical Team 1 and Tactical Air Control Squadron 11.