HMNZS Aotearoa (right, out of shot) conducts refuelling of the US Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, USS Boxer (left), in which 3.35m fuel was transferred to the ship. Credit: RNZN.

HMNZS Aotearoa, a Polar-class auxiliary vessel in the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN), has conducted her longest refuelling mission at sea since she entered service four years ago.

A total of 3.35m litres of fuel was transferred to USS Boxer (LHD-4), the fourth Wasp-class amphibious assault ship in the US Navy, as well as the maritime aircraft on board the warship.

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The replenishment took place south of the Hawaiian island of Oahu, according to a RNZN statement on 2 August 2024.

According to the commanding officer of Aotearoa, Commander Rob Welford, the oiler took around eight-and-a-half hours to replenish Boxer, which the Navy confirmed made it “the ship’s longest replenishment.”

Constructed by Hyundai Heavy Industries, Aotearoa is a 26,000 tonne oiler capable of carrying up to 9,500 tonnes of liquid cargo and up to 22 shipping containers measuring 20-feet each. She was commissioned in July 2020.

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Meanwhile, the Wasp-class LHD – with a displacement of 40,650 tonnes – resembles a small aircraft carrier. They carry a mix of assault helicopters and six to eight Harrier fighter aircraft for close air support; although more recent LHDs are adapted to carry fifth-generation F-35 fighters – which are larger aircraft compared to the ageing AV-8B Harrier.

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LHD-4 has provided the Marine Corps with a means of ship-to-shore movement by helicopter in addition to movement by landing craft.

The RNZN auxiliary vessel uses dual all-electric replensihment at sea rigs, a SH-2G(I) Seasprite helicopter or an NH90, integrated communications and bridge systems as well as winter features such as some upper deck trace heating and an ice-strengthened hull.

“This was no simple task,” assured Welford, “but our crew carrier this out with the care and attention needed over a sustained period of time.”

“This is what our crews train for, and it is a testament to the interoperability the RNZN cnducts with partners as we continue to work together,” he added.