Sailors aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) performed a connected replenishment (CONREP) with the Military Sealift Command (MSC) dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Matthew Perry (T-AKE 9) to restock supplies, July 12.

While conducting routine operations in the South China Sea, Curtis Wilbur took on more than 200,000 gallons of fuel and 38 pallets of food, supplies, and mail in less than three hours.

Curtis Wilbur has completed 12 underway replenishments-at-sea since her patrol started in May. Typically cargo pallets are transferred via helicopter in what is called a vertical replenishment (VERTREP); however, this was the fourth time Curtis Wilbur has transferred pallets via CONREP.

Tactics, techniques and procedures standardize the replenishment-at-sea process across the fleet. During a CONREP two ships steam side-by-side connected to each other by a tensioned wire rope. A sliding trolley is attached to the rope, allowing pallets of cargo to slide back and forth upon each ship's command.

"The spectrum of underway replenishments is inherently dangerous because there are so many different moving parts," said Ensign Andrew Stallard, Curtis Wilbur's first lieutenant. "The tensioned high line used during this evolution is scary, because it can do a lot of damage if it breaks."

Supervisors and safety observers hold safety briefs and training before replenishments-at-sea, which focus on getting the job done safely and efficiently.

"My guys consistently perform above and beyond expectations," said Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Stephen Ware, leading petty officer of deck division. "As subject matter experts, they are prepared and ready for any situation and always give 110 percent. They are the heart and soul of any ship's evolution."

Every available Sailor helps out to store the food, supplies and mail taken on board during a replenishment-at-sea. Refueling and resupplying are critical parts of carrying out Curtis Wilbur's mission.

The Navy replenishes ships on a regular basis to support constant readiness for any assignment at a moment's notice.

Curtis Wilbur is on patrol with Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5 in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific.

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