The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, has successfully completed a significant ammunition off-load operation involving two other carriers and a dry cargo ship, according to a press release.
From August 22 to 30, the Eisenhower transferred 3 million pounds of ammunition to the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), and the USNS William McLean (T-AKE 12) in the Atlantic Ocean.
The operation involved 1,764 helicopter deliveries, using MH-60S Seahawk helicopters to move the ordnance between the ships.
Safety was a key focus throughout the operation. “We are moving a lot of heavy equipment and explosives, so safety is paramount,” said Master Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Jerome Ruffins, who led the weapons department during the off-load. The crew conducted safety briefings before each stage of the operation to ensure everything was carried out smoothly.
Cmdr. Kent Davis, who heads the weapons department on the Eisenhower, noted the teamwork required to complete such a complex task. “It was a huge effort for the whole team to come together and make it happen,” he said, acknowledging the dedication of the sailors involved.
Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Alexis Armstrong described the off-load as a major event for the crew, saying, “Off-loads and on-loads are like the Super Bowl for us,” highlighting the importance of the operation to those on board.
According to a U.S. Navy statement:
“In order to ensure the success of the off-load, leadership emphasised safety as the top priority for the entire crew. The ammunition off-load was a success and the weapons department chain of command was pleased with the commitment and effort from their Sailors.
The Nimitz-class aircraft carriers USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) and the Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) are underway in the Atlantic Ocean for an ammunition transfer between the three ships and the Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS William McLean (T-AKE 12).”
Someone is bound to complain one of ours wasn’t there!
Why were the…..😇
😂
The Ike is going in for midlife refueling, upgrades and maintenance, needs to get rid of its ammo and extraneous equipment for safety
No it is not. It is well past it’s mid life refueling. Think it is due for withdrawal in 2030. It is almost definitely due some end of deployment maintenance though after an extended deployment.
Bloody Show Offs 🥴
Impressive operation but why was it necessary?
To say “we can”……
Good question. Maybe a show of force for Putin & the Iranian proxies threatening Israel & merchant shipping? Depends of course where the Truman & Ford go next.
Strange to happen at sea. Did Eisenhower have a fault necessetating returning to homeport & another carrier covering her deployment?
No, she is at the end of a long deployment.
Three carriers together is an impressive show of force, but my question (badly posed) was about why did they de-ammunition ‘the Eisenhower’?
To keep sharp and show it can be done when the time comes. Be prepared for everything 💯 ✌️
The Truman is very close to deploying, Ike just got off of an extended deployment and is transferring her ammo to Truman. I’m not sure what Ford is doing, but it makes for an impressive photo:)
Ah, OK. Thanks.
Test
Test
test
Test?
Is George getting testy about something.
Why am I banned ?
Testberg
Why am I banned ?
Why am I banned ?
How can you be banned when you have posted the same question 3 times?
Theoretically you could take a Chinook Helicopter or an Osprey and turn them into “ship refueler” by just putting a fuel tank in the troop compartment.Land on a “Flat Top” and drop 10000 gallons of fuel right into the carriers fuel tanks.
Think you have over estimated the capacity of a chinook… perhaps a quarter of the fuel quantity would be more realistic… plus not very useable, the carrier would have to be very close to an airfield to be fuelled.
Wait, aren’t they nuclear propulsion? Mmmm nevermimd, jet fuel JP5 or 8 for the fighters.
Why is military information made public.
Should be top secret and not given to our enemies
sometimes you want to send a message
Why not?
It’s not like there is any sensitive tactical information in there and you can’t hide the strategic part, nor do you likely want to.
1764 Helicopter deliveries – this doesn’t sound right, surely?
Hmmm…3M lbs. ÷ 1764 flts. = ~1700 lbs./flt
Certainly w/in the realm of possibility. Presume the pace of current events dictated the requirement to transfer munitions enroute as opposed to a transfer at homeport. Actually, did not realize until this article that multiple carrier groups probably share the same munitions, in turn. Presume RN has a similar practice? Does this obliquely ndicate that there may be inadequate levels of war reserve munitions available? Dunno, hopefully not…🤔😳
…indicate ..🙄
The RN does not do VERTREP Helo ammo resupply if it can at all help it. It is literally a massive accident waiting to happen.
Normally any transfer is via the stores ship using RAS (S) on a Jackstay.
Transfer of ammo from ship to shore is doable and a well practised evolution in support of RM etc.
Regarding Warstock ammo.
In the RN a big chunk of the Warstock ammo is usually afloat on either RN ships or in RFA supply ships.
Thanks for the info re RN practice. Uncertain why USN is practicing this evolution. 🤔
It seems logical to me to empty out a carrier that is going in for a refit.
But, there being shortages , mainly due to attrition from the long and partly pointless wars in the Middle East, but also due to the absolutely necessary aid to Ukraine seems evident.
If the latter affects carriers I am not sure, the first reason definately does. For instance, the F-18E went from one of the safest fighters to a rather iffy record mainly due to lack of maintenance and replacement of parts.
God, those three carriers together carry more airpower than most European nations have. A very impressive show of force. Then combined with the carriers escorts which would normally be 2 CCGs, 3-4 DDGs and 2 SSNs per carrier plus support ships the combined strength of these three carriers is equal if not more than any European nation. To think that the US could put ten of these Strike Groups to sea if the carriers were all operational at the same time really should give any nation a think twice before you take on the USN. Whilst looking at the photo… Read more »
Good Morning Ron. Your suggestion makes perfect sense but it is unlikely to happen. Notwithstanding the standardisation that has occured in the EU over the years,National self interest persists, especially in countries such as France! In addition, there is very little support for properly combining the Bloc’s armed forces and realistically this could only happen if the EU were to integrate much further to form a proper nation state
It’s not an inherently bad suggestion, but European integration isn’t going to happen for a very long time, at least not until the rest of Europe agrees to buy literally everything off the French.
As much as I love France, they’re an absolute pain in the arse to work with in my field. I can only imagine (and read) how much of a nightmare they’d be in defence procurement.
Are my eyes deceiving me on my phone?
No Aircraft over flowing on the decks?
Scandal!!!!
Hey i see a couple, even an AEW rotating dish.
Really curious. All three carriers were in port at Norfolk just prior to the date of this photo – 24 August. It appears that all three carriers departed Norfolk a few days prior to this photo specifically to conduct this replenishment at sea.
USN voluntarily chose to conduct this exercise? Very interesting, uncertain re implications, but an impressive proposition. 🤔