Background: Military Sealift Command's five transport tankers were built by the American Ship Building Company of Tampa, Fla., for Ocean Product Tankers of Houston, Texas, for long-term time charter to MSC. MV Gus W. Darnell, MV Paul Buck and MV Samuel L. Cobb entered MSC service in 1985. MV Richard G. Matthiesen and MV Lawrence H. Gianella entered MSC service in 1986. Gianella and Matthiesen are able to rig underway replenishment gear.