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Fuel and food to go
By LTCOL Jeffery Squire
Volume 50, No. 13, July 26, 2007 |
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On her way to the Northern Persian Gulf, where she is now stationed, HMAS Anzac picked up food and fuel in a Replenishment at Sea (RAS) with USNS Bridge.
Around 80,000 litres of diesel and 30 pallets of food were transferred in 45 minutes – all with both ships steaming steadily towards the Iraqi oil platforms that HMAS Anzac is helping to defend.
The RAS involved a tanker ship steaming a steady course and speed as HMAS Anzac approached at speed from astern to a position 160 feet on the beam of the tanker.
USNS Bridge’s Seahawk helicopter concurrently shuttled the food on to HMAS Anzac’s flight deck.
In all, about 30 pallets of food were brought onboard including ice-cream, potatoes, fresh meat and vegetables, all of which were quickly transferred below to the waiting fridges.
HMAS Anzac bid farewell to USNS Bridge with the traditional playing of her “theme” song using a loud speaker system.
HMAS Anzac’s song has generally been It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock’n’Roll) by AC/DC (although some younger members of the ship’s company are lobbying to find a more modern song with an Australian flavour).
It was quite spectacular breaking away from USNS Bridge on sunset with AC/DC blaring away at full volume. With full tanks and a well-stocked larder, HMAS Anzac was ready to hold the line. |
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ALL ABOARD: HMAS Anzac crew members, unpack the pallets delivered from USNS Bridge.
Photos: LTCOL Jeffery Squire |
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TEAMWORK: The ships company of Anzac work together to get the stores below deck.
Photos: LTCOL Jeffery Squire |
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WORKHORSE: The Seahawk from USNS Bridge drops off another palletload of stores.
Photos: LTCOL Jeffery Squire
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THANKS: AB Karlee Joynes waves as Anzac cranks up AC/DC to farewell USNS Bridge.
Photos: LTCOL Jeffery Squire
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