What is the primary function of the Destroyer Tender (AD)?

• A. Provide destroyers and destroyer escorts with mobile base and repair facilities, supplying fuel, ammunition and other stores
• B. Perform underway replenishment services for Navy battle groups and deliver food, fuel, spare parts and ammunition
• C. Carry fuel, jet fuel, and other petroleum products
• D. Provide open-ocean escort and patrol

Answer: (A)

Destroyer tenders serve as a floating base and repair facility for destroyers and their escorts, allowing them to operate away from port with maintenance, workshops, and provisioning available on site. Their primary duties include repair work, minor maintenance, and supplying fuel, ammunition, and other stores to the ships they support, keeping those combatants ready for extended operations. This directly reflects the option describing a mobile base and repair facilities along with fueling and provisioning. Choices that emphasize underway replenishment, large-scale fuel tanker roles, or open-ocean escort/patrol do not capture the tender’s core function, which is to sustain destroyers through on-site maintenance and supply rather than perform primary replenishment or combat escort roles.