By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Tracey L. Whitley, USS Enterprise Public Affairs
USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Enterprise (CVN 65) conducted a replenishment-at-sea (RAS) with the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Kanawha (T-AO 196) May 19.
Enterprise received fuel and food stores during the ship's first connected replenishment (CONREP), involving stores, in more than two years.
"The purpose of this RAS was to get the supplies we needed to continue our mission out here and to sustain our operational commitment at sea," said Lt. Cmdr. Dennis Mojica, the ship's 1st lieutenant.
Taking on food stores for the first time in more than two years was a dangerous evolution, but the professionals of deck department had no problem taking on the challenge. They continuously train and prepare for large ship evolutions so that even the junior Sailors in the department know how to handle a problem if it arises.
"The major challenges we face during events like this are keeping people focused and always maintaining situational awareness," said Mojica. "However, that's why we all work together, communicate and anticipate issues before they become a bigger problem."
The crew of Big E and members of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 had to work side by side on a working party to get the food stores handled and distributed safely, providing a chance for the Sailors and Marines to get better acquainted and build camaraderie. The purpose of a working party is to help with the overall workload so that not any one department gets burned out during the RAS. Instead, all departments provide a few Sailors or Marines to help unload and store away the food for later use.
"The working parties really help us during a RAS because having that extra man power available keeps everyone working steady, but not so hard that they tire out too fast."
Once the RAS was finished, the ship conducted an emergency breakaway drill and continued on with carrier qualifications, completing yet another successful ship evolution.
Enterprise is underway conducting carrier qualifications in preparation for work-ups and her 21st deployment.