New Zealand Navy’s replenishment vessel HMNZS Aotearoa completed a refuelling operation for its largest vessel, the USS Boxer, a US Navy Amphibious Assault Ship which received 3,350,000 litres of fuel.

The operation under the command of Rob Welford took 8.5 hours, making it the longest such operation undertaken by a ship.

Rob Welford said that the task was challenging but this is what the crew trains for and it is a testament to the interoperability of the Royal New Zealand Navy.

USS Boxer completed its ten-day sailing from San Diego to Hawaii, loaded with ground elements of the USMC 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, aircraft, several helicopters and F-35 fighters.

The amphibious vessel and its aircraft both needed refuelling before they could continue across the Pacific.