American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, July 18, 2012 – Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Henry J. Kaiser, which is providing logistical support for U.S. Pacific Fleet’s biennial Rim of the Pacific exercise off Hawaii, yesterday delivered 900,000 gallons of a 50-50 blend of advanced biofuels and traditional petroleum-based fuel to the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Nimitz strike group.
The Military Sealift Command says the fuel delivery is part of the Navy’s Great Green Fleet demonstration, which allows the Navy to test, evaluate and demonstrate the cross-platform utility and functionality of advanced biofuels in an operational setting. This will achieve one of the five energy goals established by Navy Secretary Ray Mabus: to demonstrate a Great Green Fleet in local operations by 2012.
The demonstration is an important milestone in the Navy’s testing and certification of 50-50 blends of advanced hydrotreated biofuel and aviation gas. The military’s ability to use fuels other than petroleum reduces vulnerability to rapid and unforeseen changes in the price of oil that can negatively impact readiness, while also increasing energy security.
Kaiser delivered 700,000 gallons of hydro-treated renewable diesel fuel, or HRD76, to three ships of the strike group. Kaiser also delivered 200,000 gallons of hydro-treated renewable aviation fuel, or HRJ5, to Nimitz. Both fuels are a 50-50 blend of traditional petroleum-based fuel and biofuel comprised of a mix of waste cooking oil and algae oil.
The biofuel delivery is part of Kaiser’s schedule of logistics support to the multinational forces participating in RIMPAC 2012, according to the Military Sealift Command. Kaiser, along with MSC dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Matthew Perry and MSC fleet replenishment oiler USNS Yukon, will support RIMPAC throughout the nearly five week exercise. The MSC ships will deliver fuel and supplies to participating vessels in a series of approximately 180 replenishments at sea.
“This is a great opportunity for both my crew and me,” said Kaiser’s civil service master, Capt. Joseph Trogdlen. “MSC’s mission is service to the fleet and that is what RIMPAC is all about. Being able to bring a cutting edge technology like the biofuel to the fleet is an exciting part of a very busy schedule of UNREPS that we are conducting in support of this exercise.”
Held every two years, RIMPAC 2012 is a multinational maritime exercise that takes place in and around the Hawaiian Islands. This year’s RIMPAC exercise is the 23rd in the series, which began in 1971.
RIMPAC 2012 began June 29 and is scheduled to end Aug. 3. Twenty two nations, 40 surface ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are taking part. The exercise includes a wide range of capabilities demonstrating the inherent flexibility of maritime forces including disaster relief, maritime security operations, to sea control and complex warfighting. “This is just another example of the critical role MSC ships play in supporting significant Navy strategic priorities,” Navy Rear Adm. Mark H. Buzby, commander of Military Sealift Command said.
Related Sites:
Military Sealift Command
RIMPAC 2012 Exercise
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