A carrier group may take a tanker and a separate dry-stores ship, while a smaller littoral group can use one ship carrying both fuel and stores. A one-stop ship suits operations near home where dry-stores runs are relatively easy but sustained engine use in the North Atlantic, North Sea, or Arctic demands substantial fuel. It also lets a small overseas force deploy with a single supporting auxiliary. South Atlantic deployments provide an example of that economy in support ships.
Notable Point · 1:32:47-1:33:37
Why small task groups use one-stop supply ships
Combined fuel and dry-stores ships support fuel-intensive operations near home and let smaller overseas groups deploy with one auxiliary.