#GreatGreenFleet: USS Chafee Takes On Biofuel

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Dustin W. Sisco, USS Nimitz Public Affairs

PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Chafee (DDG 90) took on 250,000 gallons of alternative fuel, a 50/50 blend of advanced biofuel and traditional petroleum-based fuel, from the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO 187) as part of the Great Green Fleet demonstration during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012.

The demonstration serves as another milestone in the Navy's pursuit to improve combat capability through improved energy efficiency measures.

Lt. j.g. Karen Smith, Chafee's fuels officer, said the use of biofuels on Navy ships further enhances the overall readiness of the fleet.

"Anything that takes away our need to use foreign fossil fuel is, I think, a step in the right direction," said Smith. "It gives the Navy a little bit more flexibility, and they know where it's coming from. Thinking about it economically, yes, it's a little bit pricier on the front end, but everything new is. I think that, as time goes on, that cost will drive down. The added benefit of having that operational capability is a plus, and now it's not left in foreign hands to decide what our fuel costs are."

The installation of an energy dashboard marks one more step in Chafee's move towards energy efficiency. The energy dashboard uses the Integrated Condition Assessment System (ICAS) to collect data from shipboard equipment.

"The energy dashboard has been a big help," Smith said. "It gives us instantaneous data of what we're doing, so we've been utilizing that tool to make sure that we're burning as little fuel as possible."

The dashboard includes the Fuel Management System (FMS), which assists pre-underway planning by recommending efficient equipment lineups. Along with energy dashboard, a series of light emitting diodes (LED) have been installed on board Chafee to replace incandescent and fluorescent lighting fixtures to improve lamp lifespan and drive down maintenance and sparing costs, as well as a stern flap, which will increase propulsion exhaust emissions to foster fuel cost savings while increasing both ship speed and range.

 USS Chafee is one of the five ships included in the Great Green Fleet demonstration.

#GreatGreenFleet: USS Nimitz Receives Biofuel

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Renee L. Candelario

PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- USS Nimitz (CVN 68) took on more than 900,000 gallons of 50-50 biofuel in preparation for the Navy's Great Green Fleet demonstration, July 18.

The fuel will be used for aircraft and other naval surface ships to reduce U.S. dependency on foreign oil by blending traditional petroleum-based fuel and biofuel made up of a mixture of algae oil and waste cooking oil.

"There has been a lot of rigor in our Navy to try to test bio fuel and see how we can be more efficient in terms of how we operate our engines and aircraft," said Rear Adm. Peter Gumataotao, commander Carrier Strike Group 11. "If the biofuel works it can potentially increase our legs in combat maneuverability in terms of our ability to fly longer and sail further."

Nimitz received the fuel delivery July 17, from the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO 187) using connecting fuel hoses between both of the ships. The fuel will be tested for accuracy and similar properties as unblended fuel in the ship's fuel laboratory.

"This is the last step," said a representative from NAVAIR. "To make this Great Green Fleet possible with the expertise of these sailors, [this evolution] will not be a problem."

The Great Green Fleet demonstration will be attended by the Secretary of the Navy the Honorable Ray Mabus and Chief of Naval Operation Jonathan Greenert.

"It's more than biofuel when you talk about energy efficiency," said Gumataotao. "The bottom line is [the fuel] improves our combat capability and improves the way we fight."

Nimitz is currently underway for participation in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012. RIMPAC 2012 is the 23rd exercise in the series that began in 1971. Twenty-two nations, more than 40 surface ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in the RIMPAC exercise from June 29 to Aug. 3, in and around the Hawaiian Islands.

RIMPAC is world's largest international maritime exercise and provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans.

Kaiser Delivers Biofuel for RIMPAC's Great Green Fleet Demo

By Sarah Burford, Military Sealift Command Pacific Public Affairs

Pearl Harbor (NNS) -- Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO 187), will deliver 900,000 gallons of a 50-50 blend of advanced biofuels and traditional petroleum-based fuel July 17, to the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) strike group.

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 Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus: to demonstrate a Great Green Fleet in local operations by 2012.

 Kaiser is scheduled to deliver 700,000 gallons of hydro-treated renewable diesel fuel, or HRD76, to three ships of the strike group. Kaiser will also deliver 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.

 Using fuel hoses connected to the two ships moving at tandem at approximately 13 knots, Kaiser will transfer the HRJ5 fuel to Nimitz, and the HRD76 fuel to guided-missile destroyers USS Princeton (CG 59) and destroyers USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) and USS Chaffee (DDG 90), during individual underway replenishments, or unreps.

The biofuel delivery is part of Kaiser's schedule of logistics support to the multinational forces participating in RIMPAC 2012. Kaiser, along with MSC dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Matthew Perry (T-AKE 9) and MSC fleet replenishment oiler USNS Yukon (T-AO 202), will support RIMPAC throughout the nearly five weeks of the exercise that lasts through early August.

The MSC ships will deliver fuel and supplies to participating ships in a scheduled 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 as an annual exercise in 1971. RIMPAC 2012 began June 29 and is scheduled to run through Aug. 3. It features 22 nations, 40 surface ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel.

Units from Australia, Canada, Chile, France, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia, Singapore and the United States will participate in RIMPAC, along with military personnel from Colombia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Republic of Philippines, Thailand, Tonga and the United Kingdom. Participating forces will exercise a wide range of capabilities during RIMPAC, demonstrating the inherent flexibility of maritime forces.

These capabilities range from disaster relief and maritime security operations, to sea control and complex warfighting that includes amphibious operations, gunnery, missile, anti-submarine, and air defense exercises, as well as counter-piracy, explosive ordnance disposal operations, diving and salvage operations.

"This is just another example of the critical role MSC ships play in supporting significant Navy strategic priorities," said Rear Adm. Mark H. Buzby, commander, Military Sealift Command.

MSC operates approximately 110 non-combatant, civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships, conduct specialized missions, strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world and move military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces and coalition partners.

USNS Henry J. Kaiser is currently providing logistical support for RIMPAC.