USNS
Military cargo vessel
USNS is a prefix for vessels of the United States Naval Ship fleet—ships owned by the U.S.
Navy but operated by civilian crews rather than commissioned naval personnel.
Unlike USS (United States Ship), USNS vessels are not warships: The USNS Comfort is a hospital ship.
They handle transport, supply, and support missions.
Restoring depleted supply
- oilerShip carrying petroleum
- tenderSoft or sore
- hospital shipWatercraft providing medical care
- sealiftTransport of goods by ship
fleet support · cargo ship · tanker · rescue ship · tug · salvage ship · transport
Coordination of complex activities
- resupplyProvide fresh provisions
- provisioningSupplying resources in advance
- refuelingAdding more fuel supply
- medical evacuationTransporting injured to care
humanitarian aid · disaster relief · surveillance · reconnaissance · prepositioning · troop transport · hospital services · search and rescue
Property of the state
- non-commissionedHolding rank without commission
- merchant marinerCivilian ship crew member
- civil serviceGovernment's administrative workforce
- prefixRoot-modifying front element
replenishment
Restoring depleted supply
- oilerShip carrying petroleum
- tenderSoft or sore
- hospital shipWatercraft providing medical care
sealift · fleet support · cargo ship · tanker · rescue ship · tug · salvage ship · transport
logistics
Coordination of complex activities
- resupplyProvide fresh provisions
- provisioningSupplying resources in advance
- refuelingAdding more fuel supply
medical evacuation · humanitarian aid · disaster relief · surveillance · reconnaissance · prepositioning · troop transport · hospital services · search and rescue · scientific research
government-owned
Property of the state
- non-commissionedHolding rank without commission
- merchant marinerCivilian ship crew member
- civil serviceGovernment's administrative workforce