The second, and by far the most spectacular, method of feeding the fleet is the underway replenishment. In this operation the food that is ordered in advance is transferred to the fighting ships of the fleet out on the open sea. This operation requires the full-time cooperation and work of all hands - - a real "team" effort. Much of the cargo is broken out of the holds by working parties and placed on the main deck the day before the operation. The next day it is netted and sent speeding across the waves to ton cables that connect the VEGA with the receiving ship. This may sound like an all-day operation; but actually, it is accomplished in a matter of minutes, and often as many as 15 or 16 ships may be replenished in one day.

    In order to accomplish an undertaking of this magnitude successfully, the VEGA has been equipped with the latest in cargo handling equipment. Her winches are the latest hydraulic type, and new, light-weight nylon-tape cargo nets make for greater ease in handling heavy loads. In the holds the latest cargo lashing techniques have been incorporated, and new skate-roller slides keep the food cases moving swiftly out of the refrigerated boxes.

    But perhaps the most interesting innovation built into the VEGA is it's installation of vertical pocket conveyors used for lifting the food from below decks to the main deck. Down in the holds, sailors load food crates into the free swinging J-loops of the endless rubberized canvas elevator belt. These hoist the provisions topside in dumbwaiter fashion where they fall out onto skate-roller slides to be sped to the waiting nylon nets for transfer to ship or pier. It has been statistically proven that these vertical conveyors lift provisions out of the ship's holds at two to three times the rate of conventional winches, booms and cables.

    These vertical conveyors and other new equipment together with the teamwork and pride of her crew have enabled the VEGA to set new records during the relatively short time she has been in commission. On her first cruise, 180 tons of cargo per hour were transferred in an underway replenishment breaking the old record by about 30 tons. This rate of transfer was increased on the second cruise, and on her third cruise the VEGA established a new high of almost 220 tons. It is believed that new improvements and the continued hard work of the crew will raise these rates even higher.

    That, in short, is the story of the USS VEGA (AF-59) - - a ship that has performed and will continue to perform a vital service of the fleet.