MANAMA, Bahrain – Eleven Sailors from U.S. Naval Forces Central Command’s (NAVCENT) tenant commands toured the dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE 11) at Khalifa Bin Salman Port Oct. 23.
During the tour, the Sailors visited engineering spaces, spoke to the crew members and ate in the ship’s galley.
“It’s important for the service members to get to see the supply side of things,” said Daniel Glazier, captain of the Washington Chambers. “The Military Sealift Command ships ensure that U.S. Navy and coalition ships stay stocked to carry out their missions in order to fight piracy, conduct operations in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and sustain critical tasks. It’s an honor to serve out here.”
The tour was led by Chris Kilroy, a 3rd assistant engineer, who took Sailors through the ship’s water-processing plants, tiller rooms and explained the mechanical functions of various engine rooms.
“The tour was very insightful,” said Machinist Mate 2nd Class Shawna Rich, assigned to NAVCENT Task Force (TF) 53. “It was a great opportunity as a reservist to get to see and apply what I’ve learned in “A” school to an actual ship.”
“This was an awesome opportunity for our Sailors to take advantage of while the Washington Chambers is in port,” said Capt. Timothy Gibboney, commodore of NAVCENT Military Sealift Command Central (MSCCENT) and TF 53. “Not only are our Sailors getting hands-on experience, but our Sailors are also seeing how MSC ships operate. The goal is that we can see our logistic efforts first hand, and we get to meet another force that is pertinent to our mission.”
Washington Chambers is a part of the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command, which operates approximately 120 noncombatant, civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships, conducts specialized missions, strategically prepositions combat cargo at sea around the world, and moves military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces and coalition partners.
TF 53 coordinates replenishment-at-sea efforts and delivers passengers, mail, cargo, ammunition, provisions and fuel throughout the 5th Fleet area of operations via air, land and sea, helping to ensure Sailors aboard ships have what they need to complete their missions. TF 53 was established in 1992 to perform operational logistical coordination and given tactical control over all assigned logistics forces.
U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. The expanse is comprised of 20 countries and includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.