Military Sealift Command's fleet replenishment oiler, USNS John Lenthall (T-AO 189) returned to Naval Station Norfolk after completing a successful eight-month deployment, July 13.

"Congratulations and welcome home to the crew of USNS John Lenthall," said Capt. Doug A. McGoff, Commodore, Military Sealift Command Atlantic. "For 240 deployment days you represented the nation in the 5th and 6th Fleet [areas of operations] during exercises and operations while strengthening relationships with allies and regional partners."

Fleet replenishment oilers provide underway replenishment of fuel, fleet cargo and stores for naval ships at sea.

"Military Sealift Command oilers are designed for high-tempo training, logistic services, naval exercises and maritime operations throughout the world," said John Lenthall's Operations Chief Lew Montague.

Steaming 45,575 nautical miles, Lenthall showcased its fleet oiler capabilities by conducting 144 underway replenishments, delivering nearly 21 million gallons of fuel and 2,194 pallets of cargo to U.S. Navy and allied ships. Allied ships serviced by Lenthall included naval vessels from Spain, Italy, Greece, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

"The entire Lenthall crew could not have performed any better as the primary duty oiler assigned to aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75)," said McGoff. "Although tasked with a challenging and demanding operational schedule, the Lenthall crew rose to the occasion with much pride and esprit de corps to successfully complete all missions on time and often ahead of schedule."

"Lenthall was crewed by 89 civil service mariners (CIVMARs) during this deployment," said Montague. "Each CIVMAR aboard Lenthall is responsible for ensuring the ship's overall readiness, continued operational success and prevention of mishaps at sea."

"Civilian [service] mariners have been a vital component of American sea Power since the Revolutionary War," added McGoff. "Today mariners continue to play a critical role in our nation's defense, enabling the U.S. Navy to operate around the world. Each Lenthall crew member can take great satisfaction in the role they play in keeping the mariner legacy alive."

While deployed, Lenthall supported Operations Inherent Resolve, Active Endeavor and Vigilant Mariner.

Lenthall made 22 port visits including stops in Augusta Bay, Italy; Souda Bay, Greece; Fujairah, U.A.E.; Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.; Jebel Ali, U.A.; and the Kingdom of Bahrain.

"Throughout the eight-month deployment with the Harry S. Truman Strike Group, Lenthall's crew members displayed exemplary dedication, drive and professionalism while meeting all required operational requirements," said Montague.

The ship's namesake, John Lenthall, was an American shipbuilder and naval architect. He was responsible for the construction and repair of United States Navy ships during the Civil War (1861-1865), as well as in the years immediately before and after it. His career spanned the U.S. Navy's transition from sail to steam propulsion and from wooden ships to ironclads, and in retirement he participated in early planning for an eventual steel Navy.

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