Image Credits: US Navy The U.S. Navy’s fleet replenishment oiler USNS Kanawha (T-AO 196) has received the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) for its role in supporting the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group during Operation Epic Fury, becoming one of only two Military Sealift Command (MSC) units to earn the award in the command’s 77-year history. The award, presented during a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk on July 17, recognises Kanawha’s combat logistics support during the operation, where its civilian mariners kept the strike group supplied with fuel and ordnance while operating in contested waters. The crew of USNS William McLean (T-AKE 12), a dry cargo and ammunition ship that also provided logistics support to the strike group during Operation Epic Fury, was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation as well. Its crew will be formally recognised at a later ceremony. Adm. Karl Thomas, commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, said the Civil Service Mariners (CIVMARs) aboard Kanawha played a key role in ensuring the strike group remained ready for operations. “By serving as a vital lifeline in contested waters, the civil service mariners of Kanawha ensured the strike group remained fueled, armed, and ready for combat,” Thomas said during the ceremony. He said the award marked the first of two Presidential Unit Citations in Military Sealift Command’s 77-year history and praised the crew’s courage, resilience and dedication. “They didn’t just support the fleet; they made history,” Thomas said, adding that the crew had earned “the deepest respect of the entire United States Navy.” Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson, commander of Military Sealift Command, said the recognition shows the commitment of the Civil Service Mariner workforce that supports U.S. Navy operations at sea. “This team represents the best of our Civil Service Mariner force,” Nicholson said. “Their work is the reason