USNS John Lenthall Deters Attack off Somalia Coast

In this 2008 file photo, the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) steams alongside the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Lenthall (T-AO 189) during a fueling-at-sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan Laird.)

Focus on Defense:

USNS JOHN LENTHALL, OFF THE COAST OF SOMALIA, Sept. 24, 2008 -- An embarked security team aboard the United States Naval Ship (USNS) John Lenthall (AO 189) fired warning shots in the vicinity of two small boats, Sept. 23. There were no reports of casualties.

Despite defensive measures to deter the vessels from approaching John Lenthall, small boats continued to approach the ship. The rounds impacted the water approximately 50 yards from the closest boat and resulted in both small boats ending their pursuit. All shots were accounted for as they entered the water.

“This incident is clear proof that all mariners must remain vigilant,” said Captain Steve Kelley, the commander responsible for all Military Sealift Command (MSC) ships in the region. “I am extremely pleased with the actions taken by the ship’s master and ultimately by the security personnel aboard. They initially used defensive measures and when those weren’t enough the security personnel took action to defend the ship.”

While it is unclear if personnel on the boats were intent on attacking the 41,000-ton ship, it is clear they were not following the international rules of the road observed by mariners around the globe. More importantly, the location of the incident, the types of boats involved (small open skiffs), and the maneuvering they undertook was consistent with reports from previous attacks on merchant vessels in the region.

Lenthall is one of 14 fleet replenishment oilers operated by MSC and provides underway replenishment of fuel to U.S. Navy ships at sea and jet fuel for aircraft assigned to aircraft carriers. The ship is deployed to the region providing fuel to U.S. Navy and Coalition warships. The oiler is 677.5 feet (206.5 meters) long, and is 97.5 feet (29.7 meters) wide.

The incident did not take place in the Maritime Security Patrol Area (MSPA) in the Gulf of Aden, an area utilized by the Combined Maritime Forces to focus their efforts against destabilizing activities. Coalition forces patrol the MSPA on the seas and in the skies above on a routine basis.

MSC operates approximately 110 non-combatant, civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships, conduct specialized missions, strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world and move military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces and coalition partners.

The incident is under investigation.

(Story from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet Public Affairs.)

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