Amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) conducted a port visit to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Nov 19.

During the port visit, Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center (NAVSUP FLC) Pearl Harbor personnel operated the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility to provide diesel fuel and jet fuel to the amphibious assault ship.

America moored to Pearl Harbor’s Hotel Pier, a 1,332-foot long reinforced concrete deep-water berth. The pier is designed to issue fuel supplied through fuel risers connected to carbon steel pipelines linked to the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility and the Defense Fuel Supply Point’s Upper Tank Farm.

The Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility’s unique gravity-fed distribution system delivers fuel three times faster than comparable facilities, it is also two times faster than refueling from a barge or truck.

The efficiency of Hotel Pier’s design, by encompassing multiple risers connected to several pipelines, gave flexibility to the ship’s mooring plan, allowing the crew to position the ship feely alongside the pier rather than in a specific location in order for the ship’s fuel risers to be closer to the pier’s risers.

NAVSUP FLC Pearl Harbor’s fuels operators worked seamlessly with the America’s chief engineer, main prolusion assistant, and engineering department to ensure procedural compliance was met. Adhering to procedural compliance during fueling operations includes; ensuring fuel lab samples have met quality standards; the ship’s fuel manifold system is aligned; leadership has walked the ship’s manifold visually ensuring the correct valves are open; and communications between pier side operators and the ship’s watch standers are clear. Simultaneously, pier side operators were busy bolting together over 300-feet of fueling hose and coordinating crane operations to connect the fueling hose to the ship.

Once ready to receive fuel, the pier side operators slowly opened the valve connecting the pipeline to the fueling hoses, testing the system pounds per-square-inch (psi). Slowly opening the riser at a low psi allows both parties to test for fuel flow consistency within the connections in a controlled environment. Both sides quickly confirmed their psi readings were close and the fuel operators received notification to proceed with fueling.

NAVSUP FLC Pearl Harbor’s fuel department is the DOD’s largest fuel terminal, storing and issuing petroleum products in support of fuel requirements across Hawaii as well as the Indo-Pacific Region. As the Navy’s mission around the globe evolves, NAVSUP FLC Pearl Harbor’s specialized fuel technicians play a critical role in ensuring operational agility and around-the-clock support.

NAVSUP FLC Pearl Harbor is one of eight FLCs under Commander, NAVSUP. Headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and employing a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel, NAVSUP's mission is to provide supplies, services, and quality-of-life support to the Navy and joint warfighter.

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