The civilian mariners who crew Military Sealift Command’s Bob Hope-class USNS Mendonca (T-AKR 303), a large, medium speed roll-on, roll-off ship (LSMR), brought aboard an F/A-18E Super Hornet from the Augusta Bay Port Facility in Sicily, Italy, on Aug. 16, 2022.
As told by Story by Bill Mesta, USN Military Sealift Command, in the article USNS Mendonca Transports Recovered Navy F/A-18E Aircraft to the United States, the aircraft was brought aboard Mendonca to be transported back to the US.
The F/A-18E Super Hornet blew off the deck of USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) aircraft carrier on Jul. 8, 2022. The single-seat Super Hornet belonging to Strike Fighter Squadron 211 (VFA-211) “Fighting Checkmates” and assigned to Carrier Air Wing 1 was knocked off the deck of the carrier in what the Navy at the time called “unexpected heavy weather” during the midst of an underway replenishment.
“The Mendonca’s crew assisted with planning the lift, landing the aircraft from the salvage barge’s crane, and securing the F/A-18 on deck,” according to Capt. James Gill, USNS Mendonca’s Master. “The USNS Mendonca received the tasking due to our available cargo space and geographic location. We were the right piece at the right place at the right time.”
The aircraft was recovered on Aug. 3 from a depth of approximately 9,500 feet by a team from Task Force (CTF) 68, Naval Sea Systems Command’s Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV), Harry S. Truman, Naval Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic, and US 6th Fleet embarked on the multi-purpose construction vessel MPV Everest. It was then transported to Italy.
The Super Hornet was recovered using a CURV-21 remotely operated vehicle to attach specialized rigging and lift lines to the aircraft. A lifting hook was attached to the rigging to raise the aircraft to the surface and hoist it aboard Everest.
Mendonca has over 73,000 square feet of weather-deck space for cargo, and twin pedestal cranes which made the ship a perfect platform to transport the aircraft back to the US.
“The return of the F-18 came up as a lift of opportunity during our recent mission in support of Operation Resolute Castle,” according to Gill. “Our configuration and cargo capabilities allow us support many different types of cargo. Whether it is lift-on, lift-off, roll-on, roll-off, containerized or break-bulk cargo, we can do it all; from artillery, armor, vehicles of all sizes, containers, helicopters, and now tactical aircraft.”
The F/A-18’s ultimate destination is Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. “Mendonca’s crew performed extremely well,” Gill stated. “The unique nature of the lift and aircraft has provided a break from the routine and kept everyone interested and involved.”
Gill also credited overseas shore-side partners for the successful aircraft on load.
“MSC Europe and Africa’s staff and the Port Operations Team made the process quick and painless,” Gill stated. “We pulled in, anchored, conducted the lift, secured the aircraft, and cleared the port in a little over four and a half hours.”
USNS Mendonca is crewed by approximately 30 civilian contract mariners who are employed by US Marine Management, Inc.
Photo credit: U.S. Navy
You must be logged in to post a comment.
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Get the best aviation news, stories and features from The Aviation Geek Club in our newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.
What are you waiting for? Set your Throttles to Full AB and Join The Aviation Geek Club!
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website.
The Twitter Tweet button and social widgets are services allowing interaction with the Twitter social network provided by Twitter, Inc.
Place of processing: United States – Privacy Policy.
YouTube is a video content visualisation service provided by Google Ireland Limited. This service allows this Website to incorporate content of this kind on its pages. This widget is set up in a way that ensures that YouTube will not store information and cookies about Users on this Website unless they play the video.
Personal Data collected: Tracker; Universally unique identifier (UUID); Usage Data.
Place of processing: Ireland – Privacy Policy.
Gravatar is an image visualisation service provided by Automattic Inc. that allows this Website to incorporate content of this kind on its pages.
Place of processing: United States – Privacy Policy.
Google AdSense is an advertising service provided by Google Ireland Limited. which uses the "Doubleclick" cookie to track the use of this application and the behaviour of the User in relation to the advertisements, products and services offered. You can disable all the Doubleclick cookies by clicking on: Google Ad Settings.
In order to understand Google's use of data, please read Google's partner policy.
Personal information collected: Tracker; Usage Data.
Place of processing: Ireland – Privacy Policy – Opt Out.
The Facebook Like button and social widgets are used to interact with the Facebook social network and are provided by Facebook Ireland Ltd.
Personal data that are processed: Tracker; Usage Data.
Place of processing: Ireland – Privacy Policy.
Google Fonts is a service used to display font styles operated by Google Ireland Limited and serves to integrate such content into its pages.
Personal Information processed: Usage Data; Tracker
Place of processing: Ireland – Privacy Policy.
Google Analytics is a web analytics service provided by Google Ireland Limited (“Google”). Google uses the Personal Data collected to track and examine the use of this Application, compile reports on its activities and share them with other services developed by Google. Google may use your Personal Data to contextualize and personalize ads in its advertising network. This Google Analytics integration anonymizes your IP address. The anonymization works by shortening the IP address of the Users within the borders of the member states of the European Union or other countries that are members of the Agreement on the European Economic Area. Only in exceptional cases, the IP address will be sent to Google's servers and shortened within the United States.
Personal Data collected: Tracker; Usage Data.
Place of processing: Ireland – Privacy Policy – Opt Out.