Top Job

Top Job
Top Job

Friday, December 27, 2013

Friday Fun Film: "History of Refueling at Sea"

Nice All Hands video:



Logistics, logistics, logistics.

7 comments:

  1. Anonymous7:57 PM

    As a sailor on DDG-18 (Semmes) 1979-83, UNREP was a term synonymous with gonorrhea. Always accomplished at 0000-0300, in the cold (gloves could possibly be caught in blocks), we had to "heave around" on the damn line, fighting the ships' rolling every inch until the fuel hose mated. Worse, we were supply pukes, and it seemed to us that the phone talker that relayed fuel tank levels (below our compartment) to the bridge and then AO pump station was always chosen because he stuttered, resulting in tank overflow and a night of soaking up fuel oil
    from the deck of our berthing compartment. This happened every 3-4 nights when underway, and there is no pretty petty officer charming enough to edit that memory. But as a dumb ex-sailor, I must say that I would not trade that experience for anything in in the world...O.K., I lie. Said petty officer or winning lotto numbers might be considered in trade...






























    levels to the bridge and then AO pump station was always chosen because he stuttered, resulting in tank overflow and a night of soaking up fuel oil
    from the deck of our berthing compartment.
    g
    ht

    ReplyDelete
  2. MSTS was established in 1949. It took on RAS then UNREP missions before the MSC name change in 1970 and official NFAF program in 1972. Today MSC performs all CLF missions to include UNREP and some VETREP.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Commissioned USN ships continued to conduct unreps well past 1970 - I know because I server in an AE for 3 years after 1971. My first exposure to an MSC oiler was in 1975.

      Delete
    2. Yep. I was the commissioning CO of MERRIMACK (AO 179) in 1981.

      Delete
    3. yes the USS CLF and USNS NFAF performed the mission until about 10 years ago. Now (i.e. "today") all CLF ships are "in-service" T-ships are under MSC as the type commander.

      There are a few USS with hybrid crews like USS Ponce, two AS and one LCC.

      http://www.msc.navy.mil/PM1/

      Delete
  3. Anonymous4:48 AM

    Thanks, Eagle1! This brings back fond memories of my navy service in the mid to late sixties in the South China Sea.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Good film clip, somewhat marred by the chirpy Petty Officer (who sports ESWS and Air Crew badges) talking about oilers pulling up alongside aircraft carriers. Of course the reverse is the actual situation. She has apparently never actually seen an unrep.

    ReplyDelete