Usns Bridge News

Rear Admiral Mark “Buz” Buzby, commander of the Military Sealift Command, sat with Maritime Reporter contributing editor Edward Lundquist talked with a week before his retirement aboard USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1) at Little Creek, Virginia, on May 10, 2013. The talk centered on a unique event in maritime history. MSC had seven ships in the area east of Japan, responding to the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami that killed 19,000 people. One of them was the fast combat support ship USNS Bridge (T-AOE 10)…

Five separate episodes of heroism and bravery on the high seas were recognized at the 42nd annual United Seamen's Service Admiral of the Ocean Sea (AOTOS) dinner. The AOTOS event itself honored James L. Henry, Chairman and President of the Transportation Institute; General Duncan J. McNabb, USAF, former Commander, U.S. Transportation Command; and Robert D. Somerville, Chairman of ABS (formerly the American Bureau of Shipping). The maritime industry's most prestigious awards since…

The Secretary of the Navy announced March 26 that Military Sealift Command fast combat support ship USNS Bridge is the winner of the fiscal year 2008 SECNAV Environmental Quality Award in the small ship category. Bridge is one of MSC’s four fast combat support ships that replenish Navy ships at sea with fuel, ammunition, food and other cargo. The 754 ft ship, which has a crew of 170 civil service mariners and currently operates out of San Diego, was cited for the crew’s work in preventing pollution, ensuring readiness in responding to environmental issues, conserving resources and complying with environmental regulations. Bridge advanced to the Secretary of the Navy competition after it was named as one of the Chief of Naval Operations quality small ship award winners in February.

Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems–Marine Systems, Sunnyvale, Calif., is being awarded a $20.5m firm-fixed-price contract to design and produce replacement gears for the propulsion system in the Navy's four T-AOE 6-class fast combat support ships, USNS Supply (T-AOE 6), USNS Rainier (T-AOE 7), USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8) and USNS Bridge (T-AOE 10). The new hardware will replace components of the ships' main reduction gear, which converts and transmits engine power to the propeller. Fast combat support ships provide fuel, ammunition, food and other cargo to U.S. Navy ships at sea worldwide. The contract includes five options for installation support and one option for the purchase of additional hardware, which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $22,395,475.

USS Bridge became the last of four U.S. Navy Supply-class fast combat support ships to leave commissioned service for an even more active role with the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command at a formal transfer ceremony June 24. Now known as United States Naval Ship Bridge, she joins more than 30 civilian-crewed ships providing combat logistics services to the Navy fleets worldwide. USNS Bridge, which as a Navy ship was crewed by a complement of 544 active-duty Sailors, will now have a civilian crew of 160 mariners.

USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 returned to the North Arabian Sea June 14 following its third port visit in the Middle East. Starting June 15, CVW-9 will conduct missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and will provide close air-power support and reconnaissance to International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops on the ground in Afghanistan. ISAF is comprised of more than 35,000 troops, with contributions from 37 nations. “We have met every operational commitment assigned to perfection and have maintained a level of operational readiness second to none,” said Stennis’ Commanding Officer, Capt. Brad Johanson.

By Lt. Nathan Christensen, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. ABOARD USS JOHN C. STENNIS (NNS) --Combined Task Force (CTF) 152 hosted a maritime law symposium aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) for business leaders while in port at the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command area of responsibility June 11. The symposium was designed to generate a friendly dialogue between CTF 152 and the larger maritime and merchant community within the region. CTF 152 operates in the southern and central Persian Gulf conducting maritime operations. “The sea is the great equalizer of us all,” said Capt. Michael Salvato, commander, Combined Task Group 152.0.

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joshua Cassatt, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. USNS Bridge (T-AOE 10) conducted underway replenishments with nine U.S. ships June 1-3 in the Persian Gulf. More than 865,000 gallons of jet fuel, 2.3 million gallons of diesel fuel, 560 pallets of food, ammunition and stores were transferred over the three-day period. It was an undertaking that didn’t intimidate the crew of Bridge in the slightest. "This is what we come out here for," said Chief Mate Tom Giudice, Bridge’s executive officer. For Bridge's civilian crew, taking on the challenge of keeping the ships supplied is how they contribute to maritime operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO).

Ships assigned to the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (ESG) and John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSSG) successfully completed Unit Level Training and Readiness Assessment-Sustainment (ULTRA-S) April 9-14 during their deployments to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. ULTRA-S is an assessment of the ship’s training proficiency level in warfare areas such as engineering, damage control, combat systems, medical, aviation, and maintenance and material management. The ships participating in ULTRA-S were USS Anzio (CG 68), USS Antietam (CG 54),USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS Preble (DDG 88) and USS O’Kane (DDG 77). Instituted as part of the Fleet Response Plan…

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) conducts operations in the Arabian Sea. The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group is on regularly scheduled deployments in support of Maritime Security Operations (MSO). MSO help set the conditions for security and stability, as well as aid counter-terrorism and security efforts to regional nations. U.S. From USS John C. USS JOHN C. STENNIS, At Sea (NNS) -- The aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) entered the Persian Gulf on March 27, escorted by the guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG 54). While in the Gulf, the flagship of the USS John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSSG) and its air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, will conduct a dual-carrier exercise with the USS Dwight D.

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) conducts operations in the Arabian Sea. The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group is on regularly scheduled deployments in support of Maritime Security Operations (MSO). MSO help set the conditions for security and stability, as well as aid counter-terrorism and security efforts to regional nations. U.S. Senior leaders from the French Navy Ship (FNS) Charles de Gaulle (R 91) arrived aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) March 16 to establish a foundation for further professional interaction and combined operations between the two navies. Commander Task Force 473 French Rear Adm. Xavier Magne and 15 other French officers from Charles de Gaulle met with their John C.

By Lt. Nathan Christensen, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. USS JOHN C. STENNIS, At Sea (NNS) -- The USS John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSSG) entered the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO) Feb.19 to conduct Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in regional waters, as well as to provide support for ground forces operating in Afghanistan and Iraq. Led by Rear Adm. Kevin Quinn, Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 3, the strike group includes the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON)21, the guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG 54), guided-missile destroyers USS O’Kane (DDG 77) and USS Preble (DDG 88), and the fast combat-support ship USNS Bridge (T-AOE 10).

BAE Systems announced the award of a $3.8m contract to its San Diego shipyard by Military Sealift Fleet Support Command (MSFSC). The contract for the USNS BRIDGE (T-AOE 10) Mid-Term Availability (MTA) is scheduled to be performed this summer. If all options are exercised by MSFSC, the contract could exceed $4.8 million. The 754-foot long USNS BRIDGE, one of four Fast Combat Support Ships, carries a crew of 160 civilians and 28 Sailors. These support ships are Military Sealift Command's largest combat logistics vessels and are part of the 36-ship Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force. The ships carry oil, ammunition and dry and refrigerated stores and are capable of rapidly replenishing Navy carrier strike groups.