The Peruvian replenishment oiler BAP Tacna (ARL-158) departed Naval Station Norfolk today for its homeport, concluding a successful five-month deployment in support of U.S. Navy Atlantic replenishment services.
Since 2004, Tacna has participated in activities with the U.S. Navy, initially on the West Coast and, this year, on the East Coast in coordination with Military Sealift Command Atlantic (MSCLANT), said LCDR Esteban Ulfe Lopez, BAP Tacna Operations Officer. “This sustained engagement has provided valuable opportunities to strengthen interoperability, exchange operational experience, and demonstrate the ship’s logistical capabilities in support of multinational operations.”
Throughout its 150-day deployment, the Tacna crew anchored critical logistics, delivering 2,136,594 gallons of Diesel Fuel Marine (F-76) to 12 U.S. Navy and two French vessels. The multi-national fleet delivered services to FS Aconite, FS Dixmude, USS Lassen, USS Mahan, USS Stout, USS Jason Dunham, USS Truxtun, USS Tortuga, USS Nitze, USS Carney, and USS John Basilone. To sustain these operations, the Tacna also received 3,138,342 gallons of F-76 through three shore bunkering operations—the process of transferring marine fuel directly from onshore port pipelines into a docked ship’s fuel tanks.
U.S. Navy Capt. Elizabeth Nelson, commodore of MSCLANT, highlighted the operational impact of the joint effort. “This partnership demonstrates how the U.S. and Peruvian navies work together to extend our reach and cover critical supply needs,” Nelson said. “In essence, it lets allied fleets share the load using specialized supply ships like the BAP Tacna in the Atlantic.”
From the Peruvian perspective, the benefits extended far beyond immediate logistics, Lopez noted. “Through its participation in multinational exercises, integration into tactical training scenarios, and ability to provide logistical support to naval units, the Tacna has helped strengthen professional relationships, practical experience, and the capabilities required for effective combined operations. More importantly, it has demonstrated the value of sustained cooperation between the Peruvian Navy and the U.S. Navy.”
Echoing this sentiment from the highest levels of leadership, RADM Martin Muckian, director of Maritime Operations for U.S. Fleet Forces Command, praised the seamless integration.
“On behalf of myself and USFF we were thoroughly impressed by the BAP TACNA crew’s professionalism and pride while on deployment to the North Atlantic. In addition to supporting Atlantic Fleet resupply missions, BAP TACNA was a participant in events
commemorating the United States’ 250th anniversary to include the International Naval Review 250 (INR250), SAIL 250 Virginia, and Fleet Exercise 250. BAP TACNA’s logistics support to numerous Fleet training events built interoperability skills between our navies and ensured our continued success.”
Originally built as an Amsterdam-class combat support ship, the BAP Tacna is the Peruvian Navy’s primary replenishment oiler, frequently utilized for high-volume fleet logistics and international disaster relief operations.
