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USNS SAN JOSE
(T-AFS 7)

United States Naval Ship SAN JOSE is an Auxiliary Fleet Support ship, operated by MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND, with a primary mission of re-supplying the U.S. Navy Fleet ships operations through the use of Connected Replenishment (CONREPS) and Vertical Replenishments (VERTREPS) so that they may remain at sea at full operational capability. Her crew currently consists of approximately 120 Civilian Mariners (CIVMARS), and 40 Military Personnel.

SAN JOSE is one of six combat stores ships operated by Military Sealift Command. They are part of the MSC Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force of approximately 35 ships, which provide fuel, food, ammunition and ocean towing services to U.S. Navy ships around the world.

The keel of USS SAN JOSE was laid in March 1969 in San Diego, California at the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, and was named to honor the city of San Jose, California. October 1990 marked the twentieth birthday of the "Magnificent Seven." In October 1993, she was decommissioned and recommissioned as USNS SAN JOSE. After an extensive shipyard overhaul, her maiden voyage as a Military Sealift Command asset took her to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH in 1995. As one of only three remaining T-AFS's in the Pacific Fleet, SAN JOSE has an ardous operational schedule, and continues to provide outstanding support to fleet customers in her thirty-second year of service. For more information about the meaning of the ship's crest go here.

Combat stores ships have been described as floating supermarkets, and they carry virtually every type of food and supply needed by our Navy ships. Military Sealift Command combat stores ships carry spare and repair parts for other ships and aircraft and also have a limited capability to transfer fuel to other Navy ships at sea.

Supplies and fuel are transferred to other ships using lines and hoses suspended above the water to another ship as the ships move forward at the same speed and sometimes less than 50 feet apart. SAN JOSE is capable of replenishing two ships at the same time, one on either side, using this side-by-side technique.

Dry stores are also transferred by using helicopters to lift large cargo nets and pallets loaded with supplies and parts. SAN JOSE has elevators and mobile equipment for handling stores internally on the ship. Helicopters are not assigned to SAN JOSE on a full-time basis, but fly aboard for extended periods of time while the ship is at sea.

"Amateurs talk about strategy. Professionals talk about logistics."
Omar N. Bradley
General of the Army

CIVMAR INFORMATION

Civilian Mariners (CIVMARS) on board USNS SAN JOSE are a vital part of the MSC Fleet. Their areas of expertise encompass a wide variety of occupations ranging primarily from the engineering, deck and supply departments. Current compliment is approximately 120 personnel. Tour lengths are 4 months in duration with an extension option available.

MILDET INFORMATION

U.S. Navy personnel perform in the Operations and Logistics areas. The Officer community consists of Supply Officers, that manage the ship's cargo material that eventually will find its way to other naval vessels. Enlisted ratings onboard include Operations Specialists (OS), Information Systems Technicians (IT), Electronics Technicians (ET), Personnel Specialist (PS) and Storekeepers (SK). Current tour length for enlisted military members aboard SAN JOSE is 12 months. Officers serve up-to a two-year tour.

GENERAL SHIP INFORMATION

• Length:	581 feet
• Beam:	79 feet
• Draft:	28 feet
• Displacement:	14,000 long tons
• Speed:	20.0 knots
• Area Command:	Sealift Logistics Command Far East
• Civilian:	124
• Military:	49

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Life onboard a USNS ship

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Last updated on 22 August 2006