Monday, September 12, 2011

USNS Benavidez (T-AKR 306)

The Large, Medium-Speed Roll-on/Roll-off Ship USNS Benavidez (T-AKR 306) sits pierside in Souda harbor during a brief port visit. Benavidez is carrying more than 230,000 square feet of U.S. Army combat equipment and supplies, belonging to the Ft. Hood, Texas based 1st Cavalry Division currently deploying for service in Iraq. The ship sailed from the U.S. and will off-load in Kuwait. The move is part of a standard rotation of forces and their equipment in and out of Iraq. The 950-foot vessel is named for Medal of Honor recipient Army Master Sergeant Roy P. Benavidez. USNS Benavidez is one of Military Sealift Command's nineteen Large, Medium-Speed Roll-on/Roll-off Ships and is part of the 28 ships in the Sealift Program Office. U.S. Navy photo by Paul Farley.

USNS Benavidez (T-AKR 306)

USNS Benavidez (T-AKR 306)at sea during sea trials. (Photo by Ron Elias)

USNS Benavidez (T-AKR 306)

USNS Benavidez (T-AKR 306)at sea during sea trials. (Photo by Ron Elias)

USNS Benavidez (T-AKR 306)

USNS Benavidez (T-AKR 306)at sea during sea trials. (Photo by Ron Elias)

USNS Benavidez (T-AKR-306)

Sea trials of USNS Benavidez (T-AKR-306) by Northrop Grumman Ship System Avondale Operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Ron Elias)

USNS Benavidez (T-AKR 306)

Large, Medium-Speed Roll-on/Roll-off Ship USNS Benavidez (T-AKR 306) heads out of Souda harbor following a brief port visit. Benavidez is carrying more than 230,000 square feet of U.S. Army combat equipment and supplies, belonging to the Ft. Hood, Texas based 1st Cavalry Division currently deploying for service in Iraq. The ship sailed from the U.S. and will off-load in Kuwait. The move is part of a standard rotation of forces and their equipment in and out of Iraq. The 950-foot vessel is named for Medal of Honor recipient Army Master Sergeant Roy P. Benavidez. USNS Benavidez is one of Military Sealift Command's nineteen Large, Medium-Speed Roll-on/Roll-off Ships and is part of the 28 ships in the Sealift Program Office. (U.S. Navy photo by Paul Farley)

USNS Bob Hope (T-AKR 300)

The Military Sealift Command (MSC) large, medium-speed roll-on/roll-off ship USNS Bob Hope (T-AKR 300) sits at anchorage in Souda harbor during a brief port visit. The 950-foot vessel is named for legendary American entertainer Bob Hope, who tirelessly worked with the United Service Organization (USO) to raise the morale of U.S. troops around the world for more than 50 years. (U.S. Navy photo by Paul Farley)

USNS Pililaau (T-AKR 304)

The Military Sealift Command large, medium-speed roll-on/roll-off ship USNS Pililaau (T-AKR 304) is anchored off the coast of Red Beach in Camp Pendelton, Calif., with the roll-on/roll-off discharge facility extending aft of the ship during Joint Logistics Over-The-Shore (JLOTS) 2008. JLOTS 2008 is an engineering, logistical training exercise between Army and Navy units under a joint force commander as a means to load and unload ships without the benefit of deep draft-capable, fixed port facilities. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brian P. Caracci/Released)

USNS Pililaau (T-AKR 304)

The Military Sealift Command medium, large roll-on/roll-off ship USNS Pililaau (T-AKR 304) passes Diamond Head Crater in Honolulu, Hawaii. Pililau is transporting the U.S. Army 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division and 45th Sustainment Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command equipment from Hawaii to Camp Pendleton, Calif. To support Joint Logistics Over the Shore (JLOTS) 2008 exercise Pacific Strike, a joint exercise of the U.S. military's ability to transfer war fighting and humanitarian equipment to shore from ships at sea. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Matthew C. Moeller)

USNS Pililaau (T-AKR 304)

The Military Sealift Command roll-on/roll-off ship USNS Pililaau (T-AKR 304) is anchored off the coast of Red Beach in Camp Pendelton, Calif. with the roll-on/roll-off discharge facility attached to the ship's fantail during Joint Logistics Over-The-Shore (JLOTS) 2008. JLOTS 2008 is an engineering, logistical training exercise between Army and Navy units under a joint force commander as a means to load and unload ships without the benefit of deep draft-capable, fixed port facilities. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brian P. Caracci/Released)

USNS Pililaau (T-AKR 304)

The Military Sealift Command large, medium roll-on/roll-off ship USNS Pililaau (T-AKR 304) is anchored off the coast of Red Beach in Camp Pendelton, Calif., with the roll-on/roll-off discharge facility attached as the improved navy lighterage system makes its approach during Joint Logistics Over-The-Shore (JLOTS) 2008. JLOTS 2008 is an engineering, logistical training exercise between Army and Navy units under a joint force commander as a means to load and unload ships without the benefit of deep draft-capable, fixed port facilities. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brian P. Caracci/Released)

USNS Sisler (T-AKR 311)

The Visiting, Boarding, Search and Seizure Team assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Mahan (DDG 72) approaches a vessel of interest (VOI), played by the Military Sealift Command (MSC) large, medium-speed roll-on/roll-off ship USNS Sisler (T-AKR 311), during Exercise Frontier Sentinel. Frontier Sentinel marks the first time a U.S. Navy surface combatant ship operated under the tactical control of the Coast Guard for a Maritime Homeland Security mission. (U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 3rd Class Matthew D. Leistikow)

USNS Soderman (T-AKR 317)

Military Sealift Command (MSC) roll-on/roll-off ship USNS Soderman (T-AKR 317) prepares to moor pierside at Naval Station Everett. Soderman is homeported in Diego Garcia. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Jon J. Baker)

USNS Apache (T-ATF 172)

The guided missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) boarding team performs, practice-boarding procedures with the fleet ocean tug USNS Apache (T-ATF 172). Philippine Sea is conducting work ups before its upcoming scheduled six-month deployment as part of the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group. (U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Aaron Peterson)

USNS Apache (T-ATF 172)

The Military Sealift Command (MSC) fleet ocean tug USNS Apache (T-ATF 172) endures a rare snow storm on board Naval Amphibious Base (NAB) Little Creek, Va. Fleet tugs are used to tow ships, barges and targets for gunnery exercises. They are also used as platforms for salvage and diving work, as participants in naval exercises, to conduct search and rescue missions, to aid in the clean up of oil spills and ocean accidents, and to provide fire fighting assistance. Apache is the last of the Powhatan-class fleet ocean tugs, and was delivered to the Navy in 1981. (U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Daniel J. McLain)

USNS Catawba (T-ATF 168)

Sailors from the visit, board, search, and seizure team assigned to the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) conduct compliant boarding training aboard the Military Sealift Command fleet ocean tug USNS Catawba (T-ATF 168). Vella Gulf is 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 Jason R. Zalasky/Released)

USNS Catawba (T-ATF 168)

The Military Sealift Command fleet ocean tug USNS Catawba (T-ATF 168) prepares to conduct a personnel transfer with the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72), not pictured. Vella Gulf is 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 Jason R. Zalasky/Released)

USNS Catawba (T-ATF 168)

The Military Sealift Command fleet ocean tug USNS Catawba (T-ATF 168) conducts a personnel transfer with the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72), not pictured, using a rigid hull inflatable boat. Vella Gulf is 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 Jason R. Zalasky/Released)

USNS Catawba (T-ATF 168)

The Military Sealift Command (MSC) fleet ocean tug USNS Catawba (T-ATF 168) cruises the Arabian Gulf while participating in exercises. Catawba is on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). (U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Brien Aho)

USNS Catawba (T-ATF 168)

The fleet ocean tug USNS Catawba (T-ATF 168) steams through the waters of the Arabian Gulf. USNS Catawba is an ocean going tug, which can be used for diving and salvage operations and is forward deployed to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction, and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. (U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Arlo K. Abrahamson)

USNS Catawba (T-ATF 168)

The fleet ocean tug USNS Catawba (T-ATF 168) steams through the waters of the Arabian Gulf. USNS Catawba is an ocean going tug, which can be used for diving and salvage operations and is forward deployed to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction, and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. (U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Arlo K. Abrahamson)