Vertical replenishment by helicopters began with the commissioning of the USS Mars in which year?

Vertical replenishment by helicopters was pioneered with the commissioning of the USS Mars in 1964. This ship was specifically constructed to support replenishment operations at sea, utilizing helicopters to transfer supplies and equipment from the ship to other vessels or aircraft. The introduction of this operational capability marked a significant advancement in logistics for naval operations, allowing for faster and more efficient resupply processes compared to traditional methods. The year 1964 signifies the beginning of this innovative era of vertical replenishment, which has since become a critical component of naval logistics and operations.