THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 3, 1994 TAG: 9408030456
SECTION: MILITARY NEWS PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JACK DORSEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
Saturday's arrival of the Navy's newest ship, the fast combat-support ship Supply, will reunite some sailors aboard with more than 400 family members, many of whom have been waiting nearly six months for the ship to arrive from San Diego.
For Jennifer King, an ombudsman for the ship, it's the end of a two-year separation from her husband, Petty Officer 1st Class Frank King, a damage controlman who has been with the ship since early in its construction.
``Excited? You've got to be kidding,'' Jennifer King said this week after she and other wives met to construct a 100-foot-long lei that will be placed on the ship's bow as it enters Norfolk.
``Yes, we're excited. We've got people coming in from all over: Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania, California. Some of the wives are flying in to surprise their husbands. I'm worried I might not even know him.''
Plans call for the Supply to dock at Pier 12 of the Norfolk Naval Station about 9:30 a.m. Saturday.
An estimated 1,500 people are expected to be on hand to greet it.
The Supply is the first of four ships of its class, considered a new generation of Navy logistics ships designed to significantly improve support for the Atlantic Fleet.
Its mission is to receive ammunition, provisions, stores and petroleum products from shuttle ships and distribute them to aircraft carrier battle groups and amphibious ready groups while under way.
Constructed at National Steel and Shipbuilding in San Diego, the 50,000-ton ship is the world's largest gas turbine-powered vessel. It is 754 feet long, with a beam of 107 feet, and is capable of supporting three UH-46 Sea Knight helicopters. It was launched Oct. 6, 1990, and commissioned in San Diego on Feb. 26. It was built for just under $500 million.
The Supply is unique among all other Navy ships because it is the first to be built to extremely rigid shock, noise and vibration standards.
It can cruise for sustained periods at battle group speeds (in excess of 25 knots), replenishing and re-arming the entire battle force.
The Supply can replenish up to four warships simultaneously while carrying out its self-defense, electronic surveillance and battle group command and communication functions.
It is the fourth ship to bear the name honoring the heritage of the previous three ships and in honor of the men and women of the Naval Supply Corps. The ship's motto, ``Carrying the Fire,'' signifies that the crew is carrying the torch of freedom that was carried by all men and women who served the country in the past.
Commanded by Capt. John J. Bepko, the Supply has a crew of 40 officers and 627 enlisted personnel. Its estimated annual payroll is more than $15 million. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
D. KEVIN ELLIOTT/Staff
Jennifer King, along with other family members of sailors, helps
construct a 100-foot lei that will be placed on the bow of the
Supply when it arrives in Norfolk on Saturday. The arrival of the
combat-support ship means the end of a two-year separation for King,
an ombudsman for the ship, and her husband, Petty Officer 1st Class
Frank King, a damage controlman.
by CNB