From August 12-15, 2025, the commercial tanker Stena Imperative, operated by the Military Sealift Command(MSC), completed ship qualification training(SQT) with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force(JMSDF) tanker JS Ōmi(AOE-426), culminating in a consolidated offshore replenishment(CONSOL) operation west of Kyushu, Japan.
Interoperability and replenishment
This exercise records progress in logistics interoperability logistical interoperability between U.S. and Japanese naval forces. Through the CONSOL procedure, they have been able to have MSC tankers transfer fuel and cargo to combat logistics force(CLF) units at full sail, extending the operational autonomy of the allied fleets in the Indo-Pacific.
During the training, both crews performed dry-docking maneuvers in port, deploying and recovering fuel lines at Fleet Activities Command Sasebo. Later, at sea, the actual fuel transfer was performed, certifying the JS Ōmi’s ability to receive supplies from U.S. ships.
This training builds on previous iterations between MSC commercial tankers and JMSDF units, consolidating Japanese capability to support prolonged operations at sea. According to Peter P. Bok, MSC Far East shipping specialist, “certifying more ships under the CONSOL program is essential to ensure mission success and the safety of military personnel.”
MSC Far East supports the U.S. Seventh Fleet, the largest forward-deployed fleet in the region, ensuring that more than 50 ships are equipped to deliver critical supplies in maritime and land-based environments.
Source and photo: America’s Navy
