The Military Sealift Command Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force (NFAF)
Underway Replenishment

(UNREP) Detachment Earle is dedicated to serving the Merchant Ship Naval Augmentation Program (MSNAP). Its mission includes providing Underway Replenishment (UNREP) training primarily for Cargo Afloat Rig Teams (CART) which are comprised of Naval Selected Reserves. Training is also provided for Civilian Mariners, Merchant Mariners, Active Duty Navy personnel. MSNAP's mission also includes providing the UNREP related equipment to outfit the MSNAP/MCDS ships and providing the engineering support for maintenance and repair of the UNREP equipment on the MSNAP/MCDS ships.

Although the MSC NFAF UNREP Det Earle had been under many different names over the years, the program has existed here at Naval Weapons Station Earle for twenty-six years and the Training Center for 9 years. Our dedicated staff welcomes you to the MSC NFAF UNREP Detachment Earle and is glad to be of assistance.

History

The Merchant Ship Naval Augmentation Program (MSNAP) has been in existence since it’s program inception in 1976. The MSNAP mission was to modify merchant vessels to enable them to augment Naval Combat Logistics Force vessels in time of contingencies and war by serving as shuttle ships for ammunition and stores and to be capable of sending this cargo to the CLF ships by means of Underway Replenishment (UNREP), both Connected Replenishment (CONREP) and Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP). The vessels that were modified became known as the MSNAP ships. The Modular Cargo Delivery System (MCDS) ships were the most sophisticated of the MSNAP ships and are the ones currently employed. These ships include the SS CAPE GIRADEAU, CAPE GIBSON, and CAPE JACOB. They are primarily used to transport ammunition, but are also equipped to carry stores, both dry and freeze/chill.

MSNAP UNREP Training Center, NWS Earle, 201 Highway 34 south BLDG C-46, Colts Neck NJ 07722 (732) 866-2426