By Chief Mate Thomas Knizewski
M/T Shenandoah Trader
The M/T Shenandoah Trader successfully completed a four-month tour earlier this year as the CONSOL tanker in support of the Truman Carrier Strike Group during Operations Rough Rider and Prosperity Guardian in the Red Sea.
Throughout this engagement, the vessel delivered over 432,000 barrels of DFM and JP-5 to the USNS Arctic during CONSOL operations. These critical fuel deliveries enabled the strike group to remain fully mission-capable and continuously engaged in sustained operations against Houthi forces in Yemen.
Operating under the Tanker Security Program (TSP), the Shenandoah Trader bolsters the U.S. Navy’s ability to project power globally through assured and reliable tanker support. Notably, the vessel was the first TSP tanker to achieve full CONSOL qualification as well as the first to conduct CONSOLs on an operational level.
Officers and crewmembers of the Shenandoah Trader during operations in the Red Sea included AB J. Scofield, Captain Al Warmbier, AB A. Reza, and Third Mate (PIC observer) W. Fruehauf.
Crewmembers of the Shenandoah Trader heave in on-hoses across the span wire. Photo by Captain Al Warmbier
Working aboard the Shenandoah Trader during operations in the Red Sea were (left to right) Chief Mate Thomas Knizewski, Second Mate Keegan Flynn and Bosun Christian Haber.
The crew of the Shenandoah Trader during Red Sea operations included (left to right) SA D. Batiz, AB J. Aquino, Pumpman E. Elkori, AB M. Mosed, Wiper E. Bertke, Bosun Christian Haber, Chief Mate Thomas Knizewski, QMED M. Joel and Second Mate Keegan Flynn.
