Observations on a Comprehensive Replenishment Training Exercise at a Navy Flotilla
On a scorching summer day, a Navy flotilla organized a comprehensive replenishment training exercise to conduct a full-scope assessment of combat-oriented logistical support capabilities and inter-vessel coordinated operations. During the exercise, the flotilla's Dongpinghu conducted operations across multiple sea areas, carrying out underway lateral replenishment (UNREP), longitudinal replenishment (VERTREP-style astern), and alongside replenishment operations together with the Lhasa, Urumqi, and other vessels.
"Underway replenishment stations!" With a single order from the commander, the exercise commenced. Upon receiving the order, the Dongpinghu immediately adjusted course and speed while officers and enlisted personnel rapidly moved to their battle stations and prepared replenishment equipment including fuel transfer hoses.
On the open ocean, the Lhasa maneuvered into the lateral replenishment station off the Dongpinghu's port side. Once the two vessels stabilized their separation distance, the Dongpinghu's crew proficiently executed each replenishment task. They adjusted the firing angle of the line-throwing gun, fired the messenger line, and rigged the span wire—before long, amid cresting waves and troughs, a "fuel dragon" stretched between the two vessels, with fuel flowing continuously from the Dongpinghu to the Lhasa.
Simultaneously, the Urumqi, having received the order to "commence longitudinal replenishment," took up station astern and to the right of the Dongpinghu. Buoys were cast, hoses were deployed, and the hose was hauled aboard—through seamless coordination between the crews of both vessels, the Dongpinghu's fueling probe precisely mated with the Urumqi's receiving coupling along the highline. The Dongpinghu's operator then activated the fuel transfer pump on command, delivering fuel to the Urumqi.
The Lhasa and Urumqi had barely departed after completing replenishment when the Dongpinghu received an order for alongside replenishment, and the entire ship again shifted to battle stations. At the training site, this reporter observed the Dongpinghu's operators precisely controlling the steering gear and propulsion systems to maintain a stable hull attitude on the wave-tossed sea. Meanwhile, crew members rapidly established communications with a tugboat that was about to receive alongside replenishment.
"Compared with lateral and longitudinal replenishment methods, alongside replenishment requires vessels to operate at much closer distances, making it more difficult to execute and demanding higher standards," a flotilla leader explained.
At the operations site, the tugboat approached the Dongpinghu from astern upon receiving the order. The boat-handling crew made real-time adjustments to course and speed to counteract the effects of currents and swells, slowly closing on the Dongpinghu. After completing the alongside mooring, crew members conducted an orderly transfer of supplies, after which the tugboat slowly disengaged from the replenishment station.
"Training must be strict, difficult, and grounded in actual combat—only then can we forge truly capable skills," a flotilla leader stated. This exercise, he explained, was conducted continuously under complex sea conditions, with the primary focus on honing personnel's precision operations and coordinated teamwork, effectively assessing the Dongpinghu's comprehensive support capabilities.
As night fell, an alarm suddenly sounded and a nighttime replenishment exercise began. The Dongpinghu activated its area lighting and other nighttime navigation and replenishment support systems. Nearby, the Shijiazhuang continuously adjusted course and speed, maneuvering toward the replenishment station…