Underway replenishment
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Underway replenishment (UNREP) or replenishment at sea (RAS) is a method of transferring fuel, munitions, and stores from one ship to another while under way. First developed in the early 20th century, it was used extensively by the United States Navy as a logistics support technique in the Pacific theatre of World War II, permitting U.S. carrier task forces to remain at sea indefinitely.
INS Deepak (at left) conducts a RAS with INS Vikrant.
Early ship resupplying at sea, such as an attempt with HMS Captain in 1870, was slow and often hazardous.
Trials of the Metcalfe system in 1902 between the battleship HMS Trafalgar and collier.
The USS Maumee (AO-2) oiler achieved the first operational UR in 1917.
USS Independence (CV-62)
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The fifth USS Independence (CV/CVA-62) was an aircraft carrier of the United States Navy. She was the fourth and final member of the Forrestal class of conventionally powered supercarriers. She entered service in 1959, with much of her early years spent in the Mediterranean Fleet.
USS Independence in 1971
Independence under construction at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in 1955
Independence fitting out at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in June 1958; Enterprise (CV-6) is opposite awaiting disposal
Independence on her initial shakedown in 1959