October 29, 2004

TWO U.S. NAVAL SHIPS DOCK IN SUBIC

USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO 199) and USNS GYSGT Fred W. Stockham (T-AK 3017) arrived in Subic Bay, Philippines today for a routine port visit to take on supplies and allow rest and relaxation for the crews.

Tippecanoe, one of the Military Sealift Command’s 14 fleet replenishment oilers, is 677.5 feet in length, with a beam of 97.5 feet. The ship displaces 41,225 long tons, and has a civilian crew of approximately 90, consisting of 74 civilian mariners and a detachment of approximately 16 U.S. Navy personnel. The ship provides fuel to ships and jet fuel for aircraft assigned to aircraft carriers.

Stockahm, one of 36 Military Sealift Command ships in the prepositioning program, is 906 feet in length, with a beam of 105.7 feet. The ship has a crew of approximately 26 civilian mariners. The self-sustaining ship, having cranes to enable its own unloading of cargo, is configured to handle vehicles, equipment and field hospital cargo.

More than 40 ships of the Military Sealift Command routinely operate in and transit through the Western Pacific, providing ocean transportation of equipment, fuel, supplies and ammunition to sustain U.S. forces worldwide.

The Military Sealift Command is the sea transportation component for the United States Transportation Command.

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