Lewis and Clark Provides Afloat Staging Base for Counterpiracy Task Force

The Military Sealift Command dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Lewis and Clark (T-AKE 1) conducts a vertical replenishment with the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50). Iwo Jima and Carter Hall are deployed as part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Katrina Parker/Released)

By Mass Communication Specialist First Class (AW/SW) Monique K. Hilley

GULF OF ADEN (NNS) -- USNS Lewis and Clark (T-AKE 1) (LNC), crewed by civil service mariners, recently joined Combined Task Force (CTF) 151, greatly enhancing the group's capabilities to maintain forward presence while underway in support of counterpiracy operations in the Gulf of Aden.

"USNS Lewis and Clark is an incredibly flexible and adaptable platform and is perfectly suited for this mission as the ship possesses the necessary capabilities to launch and recover aircraft and temporarily house suspected pirates and provides an afloat staging base to support CTF-151's current mission," said Capt. Bill McCarthy, master, USNS Lewis and Clark.

Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 is a multinational task force conducting counterpiracy operations to detect and deter piracy in and around the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and Red Sea. CTF 151 was established to create a lawful maritime order and develop security in the maritime environment.

In addition to providing a staging platform for the aircraft and related personnel assigned to CTF-151, the cargo and ammunition resupply ship also provides the task force a temporary holding facility for suspected pirates. Currently there are 16 suspected pirates on board the Military Sealift Command asset.

Embarked Marines ensure suspected pirates receive safe and humane care.

"Suspected pirates will receive three meals each day, clean clothes, the opportunity to shower and medical treatment if necessary," said McCarthy. "In addition, suspected pirates' religious rights will be respected. They will have the opportunity to observe their faith-based practices."

Lewis and Clark was a readily available asset as she was already operating in 5th Fleet providing logistics support to U.S. and coalition ships in theater when she was tasked to join the counterpiracy mission.

The ship – the first in its class -- is one of the newest logistics vessels in the fleet and provides underway replenishment of food, ammunition, fuel and other supplies to U.S. Navy and coalition ships at sea.

LNC joins USS Mahan (DDG 72) and USS Vella Gulf (CG 72), which make up CTF 151. Piracy is considered an international problem that requires an international solution, therefore, LNC and other members of the task force are working very closely with navies from more than 14 different nations to ensure free and secure use of the world's oceans by legitimate mariners.

"Although the crew of Lewis and Clark only had a short time to prepare for this mission, my crew has proudly stepped up to the challenge and opportunity to be a part of this very important mission that has global impact," said McCarthy.

The civil service mariners on board USNS Lewis and Clark are strictly responsible for the safe operation and navigation of the ship in her duties as a staging platform for CTF-151.

"The integration of the civilian mariners and embarked Navy and Marine Corps units has been extremely smooth," said McCarthy. "The Navy Ethos highlights the fact that we are professional Sailors and Civilians. On board Lewis and Clark right now, we have a very diverse and agile force conducting the counter-piracy mission."

Everyone knows their responsibilities and is working closely together to ensure safe and effective mission accomplishment," added McCarthy. "Each day, we learn more about one another and our capabilities to enhance our interoperability."

Lewis and Clark's support of CTF-151 anti-piracy operations as related to the broader role of noncombatant ships in the U.S. Navy is nothing new. U.S. merchant mariners have a long and storied history of providing direct support to U.S. military operations around the globe. From re-supplying Navy ships at-sea to delivering combat cargo to deployed troops in war zones, mariners have played an integral logistics support role in U.S. military operations for centuries.

"The Military Sealift Command and the U.S. Navy have a strong heritage of working together," said McCarthy. "Although the counter-piracy mission may be new to some of us, civilian mariners and active-duty Sailors working together as part of military operations is not new."

As CTF 151 and coalition forces continue to ensure the safe flow of commerce and maritime security throughout the region, Lewis and Clark will be on station to ensure they are ready to respond at a moment's

"By providing an afloat staging base for CTF 151, the embarked Navy and Marine Corps units are able to maintain a forward presence," said McCarthy. "Together, we are all working to maintain security and stability in the maritime environment so legitimate trade and commerce can continue to safely transit this very important corridor."

Amphibs Operating in the 5th Fleet

Sailors aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) watch the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) breakaway from the Military Sealift Command dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Lewis and Clark (T-AKE 1) after a replenishment at sea. Carter Hall and Iwo Jima are deployed as part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Katrina Parker/Released)

Lewis and Clark Completes First Ever T-AKE Deployment

A harbor security boat patrols as dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Lewis and Clark (T-AKE 1) arrives for a port visit. Lewis and Clark is a new Combat Logistics Force underway replenishment naval vessel to replace the current capability of the Kilauea-class ammunition ship, Mars-class and Sirius-class combat stores ships. Lewis and Clark was delivered to the Navy June 20, 2006, and is operated by Military Sealift Command. She is designed to have a crew of 123 civilian mariners augmented by a military department of 49 personnel. (U.S. Navy photo by Mr. Paul Farley)

Military Sealift Command (MSC) dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Lewis and Clark (T-AKE 1) and its crew of 124 civil service mariners and 11 Sailors returned to Naval Station Norfolk Feb. 8, completing a six-month deployment to the U.S. Central Command area of operations.

This was the first operational deployment of a ship from the Navy's newest class of combat logistics force ships.

During the deployment, Lewis and Clark completed 73 underway replenishments and 28 in-port replenishments, delivering 5,856 pallets of food and supplies and transferring nearly 15 million gallons of fuel to U.S. and coalition warships operating in support of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

Specifically, Lewis and Clark supported the carrier strike groups of USS Enterprise (CVN 65) and USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75); and the expeditionary strike groups of USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), USS Wasp (LHD 1) and USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Lewis and Clark also resupplied coalition naval forces from Pakistan, Germany, France, Australia and the United Kingdom.

Capt. Randall Rockwood, Lewis and Clark's civilian master, is confident that this deployment served as an important step in showing the Navy what the new T-AKEs can accomplish.

"With every resupply evolution, we demonstrated that our standard of support is better, faster and safer than any previous logistics ship has ever provided," said Rockwood.

The T-AKE replaces aging, single-mission ships such as T-AE ammunition ships and T-AFS combat stores ships that are, on average, 40 years old and near the end of their service lives.

Lewis and Clark was delivered to MSC June 20, 2006. The 689-foot ship is the first of a projected class of 14 T-AKEs, the first 11 of which will serve as combat logistics force ships delivering ammunition, provisions, stores, spare parts, potable water and petroleum products to U.S. and coalition warships at sea.

The remaining three T-AKEs are slated to be part of MSC's Maritime Prepositioning Force (Future), which will strategically position U.S. Marine Corps supplies at sea.

Lewis and Clark was replaced in-theater by dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Sacagawea (T-AKE 2), the second ship of the class.

MSC operates approximately 110 noncombatant, merchant mariner-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships, conduct specialized missions, strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world and move military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces and coalition partners.

USNS Lewis and Clark Lives Up To Namesake

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joshua Cassatt, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/ Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs


USNS Lewis and Clark (T-AKE 1) delivered supplies to coalition ships operating in the Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility (AOR) Sept. 6-12.

Lewis and Clark, the first ship of its class, spent three days in Bahrain loading supplies for cargo replenishment.

During a seven-day supply cycle, Lewis and Clark provided more than 500 pallets of cargo to USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), USS Ponce (LPD 15), USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44), USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), USS James E. Williams (DDG 95), USS Rushmore (LSD 47) and USS Denver (LPD 9).

Lewis and Clark typically resupplies between three to six ships per week. However, providing supplies to seven ships is not uncommon.

“It’s routine,” said Capt. Jim White, Lewis and Clark’s master. “Resupplying seven ships lies well within the capabilities of the ship. It’s not too much of a stretch for us.”

Lewis and Clark is a dry cargo/ammunition ship, meaning that it can interchange capabilities to meet either mission, White said. The current supply cycle is a dry cargo supply operation.

The amount of material offloaded was the most Lewis and Clark has ever delivered, said Cmdr. Robert Oakeley, Lewis and Clark Military Detachment officer in charge.

“We are under the command of Combined Task Force 53, and they have never had a ship of this size and capability,” Oakeley said. “We have a lot to offer in capability and capacity.”

The number of pallets recently delivered is nothing compared to the 4,900 that Lewis and Clark has the capacity to store on board, a reflection of the innovations and capabilities of the new Lewis and Clark-class supply ship.

“Lewis and Clark is the wave of the future of underway replenishment ships (UNREP),” White said. “This ship replaces three classes of UNREP ships, and it is going to be a common sight in years to come.”

Lewis and Clark, homeported in Norfolk, is part of Military Sealift Command (MSC) and the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group (CSG). It was delivered to MSC June 20, 2006.

It entered the CENTCOM AOR with the Enterprise CSG Aug. 1. The Enterprise CSG is in the region conducting maritime security operations (MSO). MSO help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment and complement the counterterrorism and security efforts in regional nations’ littoral waters. Coalition forces also conduct MSO under international maritime conventions to ensure security and safety in international waters so that commercial shipping and fishing can occur safely in the region.