USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) conducted a complex, multi-day ammunition onload with USNS Robert E. Peary (T-AKE 5), September 12-13, using both connected transfers and vertical lifts.

As with any Navy event, this immense undertaking started by prechecking the equipment necessary to complete the task.

"We initiated multiple phases in order to be prepared for this onload," said Lt. Cmdr. Alexa Sandifer, Truman's Ordnance Handling Officer (OHO). "We had to first make sure our equipment and weapons elevators were fully operational and ready to take on the ammunition onload."

Sandifer not only briefed all ordnance personnel on general procedures prior to the movement of ordnance, but also supervised the entirety of the ammunition handling evolution.

Truman and Peary completed 360 connected transfers and 225 vertical lifts on day one, and 576 connected transfers and 143 vertical lifts on day two.

"This onload is what turns an aircraft carrier into an actual warship," said Master Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Steven J. Gill, Weapons Department Leading Chief Petty Officer. "You're looking at two days of evolutions just to fill the ship with over 1,600 tons of ordnance."

Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Jordan Davis addressed the benefit of having ordnance come through both the flight deck and hangar bay.

"[Vertical lifts] is a very fast process," said Davis. "The helicopters can go back and forth transporting cargo and they move in rotations so a lot gets moved in a short amount of time."

Davis added that Deck department contributed by stationing themselves in the hangar bays and collecting cargo as it was delivered, having ordnance ready for Weapons department to move to elevators for stowage in magazines.

Additionally, Weapons administration team took inventory of every single piece of highly-explosive ordnance and materials being brought aboard in order to keep track of ammunition.

"It was seamless, like an act in a play," said Gill. "Each person played a critical role and if something happened, we had a backup plan in order to make sure that the onload never stopped."

Gill emphasized the importance of each Sailor's role in the evolution.

"I had Sailors driving forklifts while transporting ordnance," added Gill. "If any of those forklifts had broken down, it would've slowed down the entire evolution. No matter how small someone's role seemed, it was significant to the evolution."

The ammunition onload was another milestone reached by Truman, allowing the ship to take on Tailored Ship's Training Availability and Final Evaluation Problem (TSTA/FEP). The completion of TSTA/FEP will allow Truman to move to the next phase of its work-up cycle, Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX).

"Without ammunition on the jets, we cannot fight," said Sandifer, "And without the onload, we cannot deploy."

Truman is currently underway preparing for future operations. For more news from USS Harry S. Truman, visit http://www.facebook.com/usstruman.

For more news from USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), visit www.navy.mil/.