USNS 'Henry J. Kaiser 'loads biofuel for RIMPAC 2012's Great Green Fleet Demo by the U.S. Navy
Military Sealift Command (MSC) fleet replenishment oiler USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO 187) loads of 900,000 gallons of a 50/50 blend of advanced biofuels and traditional petroleum-based fuel at Defense Fuel Support Point, Manchester, Wash.
Kaiser will deliver the biofuel to the platforms participating in the Great Green Fleet demonstration, which will take place in July during the 2012 Rim of the Pacific exercise.
This demonstration allows the Navy to test, evaluate, and demonstrate the cross-platform utility and functionality of advanced biofuels in an operational setting, and will achieve one of the five energy goals established by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus: to demonstrate a Great Green Fleet in local operations by 2012.
Kaiser will take on 700,000 gallons of hydro-treated renewable diesel fuel, or HRD76, and 200,000 gallons of hydro-treated renewable aviation fuel, or HRJ5. Both fuels are a 50/50 blend of traditional petroleum-based fuel and biofuel comprised of a mix of waste cooking oil and algae oil.
While underway, Kaiser will transfer the HRJ5 fuel to U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), and the HRD76 fuel to the Navy's guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) and destroyers USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) and USS Chaffee (DDG 90).