The task of the general stores issue ship was to sail into non-combat, or rear, areas and disburse general stores, such as canned goods, toilet paper, office supplies, etc., to ships and stations.
General stores issue ships would provision in the States before sailing to the non-combat areas.
For example, USS Pollux, homeported in Yokosuka, Japan, during the 1960s, maintained an inventory of 25,000 line items, supplying Seventh Fleet units with numerous items, augmented by other supply vessels delivering specialty materials, including foods, ammunition, and fuels.
Along with the emphasis of underway replenishment (UNREPs), also delivered supplies to ships in various ports as well (INREPs).
An example of use of the requisition system used by the general stores issue ship can be found in the narrative of USS Volans.