USS Gerald R. Ford conducts a replenishment-at-sea with the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Leroy Grumman, February 8, 2020. US Navy/MCS 2nd Class Ruben Reed

Petty Officer 2nd Class Ruben Reed, Business Insider/US Navy: How the Navy pumps 1.3 million gallons of fuel into an aircraft carrier without ever pulling into port

* This month, for the first time in two years, the Navy's new aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, received fuel during a replenishment at sea.
* Replenishment at sea is one of the most dangerous operations sailors can perform, and its what keeps the carrier operating without having to return to port.

ATLANTIC OCEAN — USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) conducted a successful replenishment-at-sea (RAS) February 8 marking the ship's first time receiving fuel from a replenishment ship in more than 24 months.

Ford successfully received more than 1.3 million gallons of fuel, and exercised a solid cargo station, transferring 22 pallets for training from the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Leroy Grumman (T-AO 195), in less than three hours.

The RAS started off with Ford pulling alongside Grumman. A few moments later, a line was shot from Ford to Grumman to establish communications and connect to the fuel lines. Once completed, the fuel lines were pulled to Ford to begin the fueling process.

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WNU Editor: Transferring 1.3 million gallons of fuel and 22 pallets of supply in less than 3 hours. Now that is fast.