Austal USA christens USNS Lansing, the final EPF
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The final U.S. Navy Expeditionary Fast Transport Ship<\/a> \u2014 the future USNS Lansing<\/em> (EPF 16) \u2014 was christened April 10 at Austal USA\u2019s Mobile, Ala. shipyard. The christening marked a major milestone in the Spearhead-class EPF program, which has delivered vital high-speed, shallow-draft transport capability to the U.S. Navy and Military Sealift Command. Since the inception of the EPF program, Austal USA has built and delivered a fleet of fast transport vessels that provide agile intra-theater personnel and cargo movement, rapid response support, and enhanced operational flexibility around the globe.<\/p>\n This christening event was unique in that two sponsors christened the ship: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan, and Rep. Lisa McClain (R. Mich.), who broke bottles of champagne simultaneously on the bow of the ship after which they jointly exclaimed, \u201cFor the United States of America, I christen thee Lansing. May God bless this ship and all who sail in her!\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cI was especially honored to witness this tradition that means so much to our Navy and our Nation with the christening of the last ship of this great fleet,\u201d said Michelle Kruger, president, Austal USA. \u201cThe Flight II Expeditionary Fast Transport ships represent a significant increase in naval auxiliary capability, designed to support a wide range of missions including medical operations, logistics, and troop transport. These ships are built by an exceptional team of dedicated men and women who consistently strive to be the best in the industry, delivering the most capable and cost-effective vessels to our superior Navy.\u201d<\/p>\n The future USNS Lansing i<\/em>s the first Navy ship named after the capital of Michigan. There have been 32 naval ships named after some aspect of Michigan. This includes the first iron-hulled ship in the Navy, named after the state and commissioned in 1844.<\/p>\n EPF Flight II provides a Role 2E (enhanced) medical capability which includes, among other capabilities, basic secondary health care built around primary surgery; intensive care unit; ward beds; and limited x-ray, laboratory and dental support. The EPF\u2019s catamaran design provides inherent stability to allow surgeons to perform underway medical procedures in the ship\u2019s operating suite. Enhanced capabilities to support V-22 flight operations and launch and recover 11-meter rigid hull inflatable boats complement the ship\u2019s medical facilities. These Flight II upgrades along with EPF\u2019s speed, maneuverability and shallow water access are key enablers for mission support of future distributed maritime operations and expeditionary advanced base operations around the world. Flight II retains the capability of the Flight I to support other missions including core logistics. EPF is one of four shipbuilding programs under serial production at Austal USA.<\/p>\n The post Austal USA christens USNS Lansing, the final EPF<\/a> appeared first on Marine Log<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n