On Thursday 27 August 2015 Royal Netherlands Navy warship, HNLMS Groningen, which is currently deployed with Operation Atalanta, completed her first replenishment at sea (RAS) with USNS Joshua Humphreys in the Gulf of Aden.
The RAS required close coordination between the two ships, with HNLMS Groningen sailing at a safe distance alongside USNS Joshua Humphreys to enable the fuel lines and other stores to be passed between the two ships.
Conducting a RAS means that Operation Atalanta warships do not have to enter a port to top up their fuel and food and can remain at sea to protect World Food Programme vessels and deter piracy off the coast of Somalia.