NORFOLK (Nov. 30, 2022) The Military Sealift Command Fleet replenishment oiler USNS Leroy Grumman (T-AO 195) returns to Naval Station Norfolk from a successful four-and-a-half-month deployment in Northern Europe, November 30, 2022. For more than 140-plus days, Grumman served as the sole replenishment oiler responsible for supporting nine U.S. Navy and allied surface combatant ships operating in the North and Baltic seas of U.S. Sixth Fleet’s area of operations. Leroy Grumman’s flexibility and commitment enabled the safe execution of 25 underway replenishments and the transfer of more than 6.5 million gallons of fuel and 807 pallets of vital stores and ordnance. Leroy Grumman is the ninth ship of the Henry J. Kaiser’s Combat Logistic Force ships. Underway replenishments are a critical naval capability that allows U.S. Navy and allied ships to be resupplied with fuel, food and stores without pulling into a port. They are particularly important when combatants are unable to receive supplies from local ports in theater due to force protections measures. Replenishment oilers have a maximum sustained speed of 20 knots and are fitted with five fueling stations capable of pumping 900,000 gallons per hour to two ships at a time. (U.S. Navy photo)