USS Bridge AOE 10

• Commissioning and Namesake: USS Bridge (AOE-10) was commissioned on 5 August 1998 and named in honor of Commodore Horatio Bridge, a distinguished officer in the U.S. Navy during the 19th century. • Fast Combat Support Ship: As a Supply-class fast combat support ship, Bridge was designed to provide rapid underway replenishment of fuel, ammunition, and supplies to carrier strike groups at sea. • Impressive Size and Speed: With a length of 754 feet and a displacement of over 48,800 tons when fully loaded, USS Bridge could reach speeds up to 25 knots, keeping pace with aircraft carriers. • High Capacity: Bridge could carry over 177,000 barrels of fuel, 2,150 tons of ammunition, and 500 tons of dry/refrigerated stores, supporting extended naval operations without port visits. • Advanced Replenishment Operations: The ship was equipped with five fueling stations and three cargo stations for simultaneous underway replenishment to multiple ships, making it a vital logistics asset. • Operational Deployments: USS Bridge supported numerous U.S. Navy operations, including deployments to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. • Flight Deck Operations: It featured a helicopter deck and could support vertical replenishment (VERTREP) operations with two CH-46 Sea Knight or equivalent helicopters. • Transition to Civilian Crew: On 24 June 2004, USS Bridge was decommissioned from active Navy service and transferred to Military Sealift Command (MSC), redesignated as USNS Bridge (T-AOE-10) with a primarily civilian crew. • Deactivation and Fate: USNS Bridge was placed out of service and struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 24 June 2015, and was later laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet in Bremerton, Washington. • Legacy: Although in service for only 17 years, USS/USNS Bridge exemplified the vital role of fleet logistics and support, and remains remembered for her contributions to U.S. naval operations in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.