Posted:
December 1, 2011
The USNS Bob Hope supported Exercise Brilliant Tern in November, demonstrating maritime pre-positioning force capabilities.
The two-day exercise was designed as a proof-of-concept, first-of-its-kind operation to test a movement of equipment from ship to shore. Subordinate units of Expeditionary Strike Group 3 conducted the exercise.
"This is the first time we have done this Maritime Prepositioning Force exercise in a homeport," said Rear Adm. Gerard Hueber, commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 3. "We are able to flex the entire capabilities of the Expeditionary Strike Group and Naval Beach Group teams."
The exercise required a week of pre-staging rolling stock, containers, equipment and the Amphibious Bulk Liquid Transfer System on the USNS Bob Hope, moored pierside at Naval Base San Diego. Amphibious Construction Battalion 1 assembled the Improved Navy Lighterage System (INLS), which consists of a group of motorized and non-motorized barges that can move cargo directly from a vessel to the shore.
During the exercise, the battalion moved the INLS system from across the San Diego Bay at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado alongside the USNS Bob Hope. Then the vessel's cranes were utilized to lift equipment and containers onto the INLS, allowing transport of materiel to shore without the use of a port.
These capabilities allow continued operation in hot spots around the world. After a Marine Expeditionary Unit goes ashore and secures the beach, the larger follow-on force comes after. The marine prepositioning force will then offload equipment and supplies, sustaining the force for up to thirty days.
The USNS Bob Hope is operated for Military Sealift Command by American Overseas Marine Corporation and is manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers.
USNS Bob Hope supports Exercise Brilliant Tern
The USNS Bob Hope supported Exercise Brilliant Tern in November, demonstrating maritime pre-positioning force capabilities.
The two-day exercise was designed as a proof-of-concept, first-of-its-kind operation to test a movement of equipment from ship to shore. Subordinate units of Expeditionary Strike Group 3 conducted the exercise.
"This is the first time we have done this Maritime Prepositioning Force exercise in a homeport," said Rear Adm. Gerard Hueber, commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 3. "We are able to flex the entire capabilities of the Expeditionary Strike Group and Naval Beach Group teams."
The exercise required a week of pre-staging rolling stock, containers, equipment and the Amphibious Bulk Liquid Transfer System on the USNS Bob Hope, moored pierside at Naval Base San Diego. Amphibious Construction Battalion 1 assembled the Improved Navy Lighterage System (INLS), which consists of a group of motorized and non-motorized barges that can move cargo directly from a vessel to the shore.
During the exercise, the battalion moved the INLS system from across the San Diego Bay at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado alongside the USNS Bob Hope. Then the vessel's cranes were utilized to lift equipment and containers onto the INLS, allowing transport of materiel to shore without the use of a port.
These capabilities allow continued operation in hot spots around the world. After a Marine Expeditionary Unit goes ashore and secures the beach, the larger follow-on force comes after. The marine prepositioning force will then offload equipment and supplies, sustaining the force for up to thirty days.
The USNS Bob Hope is operated for Military Sealift Command by American Overseas Marine Corporation and is manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers.