In the bright, blue waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands, Military Sealift Command (MSC) Combat Logistics Force (CLF) ships are providing the fuel, supplies, and sustainment that keep the world’s largest international maritime exercise underway.
Fleet replenishment oiler USNS Guadalupe (T-AO 200) and dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE 11) are supporting Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2026 by delivering aviation fuel, marine diesel fuel, food, equipment, and other supplies to the 36 U.S. and foreign Navy surface ships participating in the exercise. The ships are conducting multiple replenishment-at-sea (RAS) operations nearly every day, allowing participating forces to remain at sea and focused on mission objectives.
While RAS operations are routine for MSC’s CLF ships, the pace of RIMPAC is anything but routine. Instead of servicing one or two ships in a day, Guadalupe and Washington Chambers often conduct multiple replenishments daily, with ships receiving fuel and cargo simultaneously on both sides.
“The ability to refuel and resupply ships at sea is the logistics backbone that keeps the exercise force sustained and ready,” said Capt. Aaron Caputo, civil service master of Washington Chambers. “MSC’s ability to deliver fuel, cargo, and logistics support allows U.S. and partner nation ships to remain on station and continue operations throughout RIMPAC.”
