MEDITERRANEAN SEA - Seaman Jeffery Emerick heaves on a phone and distance line as amphibious dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) while conducting a replenishment-at-sea with fleet replenishment oiler USNS Laramie (T-AO 203), middle, and amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21), back. Gunston Hall, with the embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

MEDITERRANEAN SEA - A helicopter picks up a pallet from the foc'sle of the guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) during a vertical replenishment with the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Lenthall (T-AO 189). Jason Dunham is on a scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

MEDITERRANEAN SEA - Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99) prepare to receive pallets of supplies from fleet-replenishment oiler USNS John Lenthall (T-AO 189) during an underway replenishment. Farragut is on a scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

MEDITERRANEAN SEA - Fleet-replenishment oiler USNS John Lenthall (T-AO 198) sails away after an underway replenishment with the guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99). Farragut is on a scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

MEDITERRANEAN SEA - Sailors stand by on the forecastle as the guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) approaches the Military Sealift Command fleet-replenishment oiler USNS John Lenthall (T-AO 189) for an underway replenishment. Jason Dunham is on a scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

MEDITERRANEAN SEA - Gunner's Mate 3rd Class Chris Baker fires a shot line from the forecastle of the guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) to the Military Sealift Command fleet-replenishment oiler USNS John Lenthall (T-AO 189) during an underway replenishment. Jason Dunham is on a scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

MEDITERRANEAN SEA - Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Cedric Taylor observes as an SH-60B Seahawk from Helicopter Anti-submarine Light Squadron (HSL 48) removes cargo from the flight deck of the guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99) during a vertical replenishment. Farragut is on a scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (June 11, 2011) -- Sailors attached to USS Stephen W. Groves (FFG 29) stand by to conduct replenishment at sea with Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Big Horn (T-AO 198), June 11, as a part of Phoenix Express 2011. Phoenix Express, a three-week exercise divided into in-port and underway training phases, is designed to enhance regional maritime partnerships among the 13 participating countries in their efforts to deter illicit trafficking at sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Edward Vasquez/Released)

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (June 11, 2011) -- USS Stephen W. Groves (FFG 29) comes alongside Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Big Horn (T-AO 198) in anticipation of conducting a replenishment at sea, June 11, as a part of Phoenix Express 2011. Phoenix Express, a three-week exercise divided into in-port and underway training phases, is designed to enhance regional maritime partnerships among the 13 participating countries in their efforts to deter illicit trafficking at sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Edward Vasquez/Released)

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (March 17, 2011) -- USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) Gunner's Mate 3rd Class Bert White takes aim before shooting the shot line over to the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Lewis and Clark (T-AKE 1) at the start of a replenishment at sea. Kearsarge is the command ship of Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group, supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy Photo By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Stevie Tate/Released)

MEDITERRANEAN SEA, (March. 15, 2011) -- Quartermaster 2nd Class Jesse Glover uses a statometer to measures the distance from the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52) to the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Kanawha (T-AO 196) prior to a replenishment at sea. Barry is on a routine deployment conducting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonathan Sunderman/Released)

MEDITERRANEAN SEA, (March. 15, 2011) -- Quartermaster 2nd Class Jesse Glover uses a statometer to measure the distance from the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52) to the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Kanawha (T-AO 196) prior to a replenishment at sea. Barry is on a routine deployment conducting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonathan Sunderman/Released)

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (March 17, 2011) -- Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Joel Babino helps haul in a line during a replenishment at sea between the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Lewis and Clark (T-AKE 1) and amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Kearsarge is the command ship of Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group, supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy Photo By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Stevie Tate/Released)

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (March 10, 2011) -- Seen in this five-image composite panorama, Cmdr. Etta Jones, middle, commanding officer the amphibious transport dock ship USS Ponce (LPD 15), checks the status board maintained by Personnel Specialist Seaman Apprentice Bryant Tillman, right, as Ponce approaches the starboard side of fleet replenishment oiler USNS Kanawha (T-AO 196) to take on fuel during a replenishment at sea (RAS). During the RAS, the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) was also being replenished by Kanawha. Ponce is part of Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group, supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo illustration by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nathanael Miller/Released)

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (March 10, 2011) -- Sailors from the deck department aboard the amphibious transport dock USS Ponce (LPD 15) watch as the fuel hose from fleet replenishment oiler USNS Kanawha (T-AO 196) slides down the span wire rigged between the ships during a replenishment at sea. Ponce is part of Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group, supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nathanael Miller/Released)

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (March 10, 2011) -- Sailors assigned to the deck department aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Ponce (LPD 15) prepare for a replenishment at sea with the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Kanawha (T-AO 196) and the Amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Ponce is part of Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group, supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nathanael Miller/Released)

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Mar. 10, 2011) USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) conducts a replenishment-at-sea with USNS Kanawha (T-AO 196). Kearsarge is the command ship of Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy Photo By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Stevie Tate)

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Mar. 10, 2011) Seaman Gizka gives the heave around sign to fleet replenishment oiler USNS Kanawha (T-AO 196) during a replenishment-at-sea with USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Kearsarge is the command ship of Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy Photo By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Stevie Tate)

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Mar. 10, 2011) Seaman Apprentice David Hanley hauls in the phone and distance line during a replenishment-at-sea between USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) and USNS Kanawha (T-AO 196). Kearsarge is the command ship of Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group, supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy Photo By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Stevie Tate)

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Mar. 10, 2011) USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), left, and USS Ponce (LPD 15), right, are alongside USNS Kanawha (T-AO 196) during a replenishment at sea. Kearsarge is the command ship of Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group, supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Scott Pittman/Released)

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Mar. 10, 2011) USNS Kanawha (T-AO 196) extends fuel lines to USS Kearsarge during a replenishment at sea. Kearsarge is the command ship of Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group, supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Scott Pittman/Released)

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Mar. 10, 2011) Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Chase Hickman fires a shot line from USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) to USNS Kanawha (T-AO 196) during a replenishment-at-sea. Kearsarge is the command ship of Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group, supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Scott Pittman/Released)

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Mar. 3, 2011) Sailors observe a vertical replenishment aboard USS Barry (DDG 52) during flight operations with USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Barry is on a routine deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonathan Sunderman/Released)

SIGONELLA, Sicily (February 4, 2010) Rear Adm. James G. Foggo, deputy commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, speaks with the crew of a Italian navy replenishment and logistic support ship Etna (A5326) during a tour of the ship to kick off Exercise Proud Manta 2011. Proud Manta is designed to provide operational training in the air, surface, and subsurface cooperation and coordination anti surface warfare operations in potential NATO response force task/roles and missions. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Gary A. Prill/Released)