PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) teamed up with guided-missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) and fleet replenishment oiler USNS Yukon (T-AO 202) to conduct a three-ship replenishment-at-sea (RAS), Aug. 2.

Beginning the evolution before dawn, Carl Vinson stationed the underway replenishment detail and rendezvoused with Yukon. After making a nighttime approach to Yukon, the two ships exchanged whistle signals and Carl Vinson fired her lines.

After more than two hours of receiving supplies and fuel, Carl Vinson got company as Wayne E. Meyer hauled up the Romeo flag and came alongside Yukon on the fleet replenishment oiler's starboard side.

Lt. Matthew Fannin, Carl Vinson's assistant navigator, said conducting a RAS with two other ships presents unique challenges while providing an opportunity for increased coordination with other members of Carrier Strike Group 1 and Destroyer Squadron 1.

"Up until now, we've been working on scenarios that focused on Carl Vinson as an individual ship," said Fannin. "This RAS got us working with many other ships and implementing real-world scenarios as we continue to build toward deployment."

Fannin said the three-ship RAS demanded increased vigilance from all Team Vinson watchstanders.

"A three-ship RAS requires us to focus even more closely on course changes and closure rates," said Fannin. "We had V-22 flight operations going on and we were transferring heavy loads; both things that created different risks. With three ships, the slightest changes affect not only us, but every ship involved."

Carl Vinson Quartermaster 1st Class Paula Day, Navigation Department leading petty officer, said all three ships had to work together to get the replenishment done safely and effectively.

"We had to maintain a course and speed with Yukon in order for Wayne E. Meyer to commence their approach alongside," said Day. "Once alongside, all three ships maintained immense precision in a formation with little to no leeway."

According to Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuels) 1st Class Kenneth Cranston, Carl Vinson took on 728,000 gallons of fuel.

"During today's evolution, the ABF team worked together to get the job done," said Cranston. "Our console operators, Aviation Boatswain's Mate 2nd Classes Annamarilys Cabrera and Cheyenne Foreman, as well as Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuels) 3rd Class Edwin Osterbaan, monitored each tank used for the unrep. They kept a steady eye on the tanks and closed them at the appropriate time to meet the mission requirements."