Newest Joint High Speed Vessel USNS Carson City (JHSV 7) Keel Authenticated

From Team Ships Public Affairs

MOBILE, Ala. (NNS) -- The keel of the future USNS Carson City (JHSV 7) was authenticated during a ceremony at the Austal USA shipyard here today.

The keel was authenticated by the Mayor of Carson City, the Honorable Robert Crowell. By etching his initials into the keel plate, Crowell confirmed that the "keel" of the ship had been "truly and fairly laid." Today's ceremony serves to recognize the joining together of a ship's components, representing a major milestone in the ship's construction.

"We're honored to have Mayor Crowell of Carson City give life to the ship by authenticating its keel," said Capt. Henry Stevens, Strategic and Theater Sealift program manager, Program Executive Office, Ships. "This ship will fill a role critical to our maritime strategy, providing forward naval presence, and strengthening alliances and partnerships, and the keel laying is the first significant milestone in her journey."

Joint high speed vessels are versatile, non-combatant vessels designed to operate in shallow-draft ports and waterways, increasing operational flexibility for a wide range of activities including maneuver and sustainment, relief operations in small or damaged ports, flexible logistics support, or as the key enabler for rapid transport. They are capable of interfacing with roll-on/roll-off discharge facilities, as well as on/off-loading vehicles such as a fully combat-loaded Abrams Main Battle Tank.

JHSVs support a variety of missions including the overseas contingency operations, conducting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, supporting special operations forces, and supporting emerging joint seabasing concepts.

JHSVs provide fast intra-theater transportation of troops, military vehicles and equipment. Each JHSV is capable of transporting 600 short tons 1,200 nautical miles at an average speed of 35 knots. Each vessel includes a flight deck to support day and night aircraft launch and recovery operations. Brunswick will have airline style seating for 312 embarked forces with fixed berthing for 104.

As one of the Defense Department's largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships, and special warfare craft.

NAVSUP GLS Commander Visits Sailors of NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound

By Brian J. Davis, NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound Corporate Communications

BREMERTON, Wash. (NNS) -- The Commander of Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Global Logistics Support (GLS) wrapped up a three-day visit with four regional facilities in the Pacific Northwest run by NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Puget Sound July 29.

The purpose of the visit of NAVSUP GLS Commander, Rear Adm. James McNeal was to view NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound operations and see firsthand the diverse scope of activities and services the Sailors, Department of Defense civilians, and contractors provide to operational and shore-based units in the area, and to understand the day-to-day challenges they face.

The admiral met with NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound personnel at four locations; Naval Base Kitsap (NBK) Bremerton and Bangor, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, and Naval Station Everett.

"Providing global logistics to a global Navy is a team sport. The focus of NAVSUP GLS is supporting the fleet logistics centers so you can support the fleet," said McNeal.

Along with touring the various NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound activities and speaking to staff, McNeal met with unit commanders supported by NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound to gain a 'customer's perspective' on the quality of services the command provides to the fleet.

"Your reputation is impeccable," McNeal told a group of FLC Puget Sound Sailors and civilians during an admiral's call at NBK Bremerton. "We want happy customers and your customers are delighted."

During his visit, McNeal also visited Sailors at work in a flight line "hot pit" aircraft refueling station and an EA-18G "Growler" simulator at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, a Strategic Weapons Facility Pacific (SWFPAC) missile assembly facility at NBK Bangor, and went aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86) in Everett.

NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound, one of eight fleet logistics centers under NAVSUP GLS, provides operational logistics, business and support services to Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and other Joint and Allied Forces. Products and services include contracting, fuels, global logistics, hazardous material management, household goods, integrated logistics support, material management, postal, regional transportation and warehousing.

NAVSUP GLS provides global logistics for a global Navy. The organization is made up of more than 6,500 military and civilian logistics professionals operating from 105 locations worldwide providing an extensive array of integrated global logistics and contracting services to Navy, Marine Corps, joint operational units, and allied forces across all warfare enterprises.

Carrier Strike Group 4 Commander Visits USS Arlington

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Stevie Tate, USS Arlington Public Affairs

ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Commander of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 4 Rear Adm. Richard W. Butler visited the amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) while the ship was underway for the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group's (ARG) composite unit training exercise (COMPTUEX), July 28.

During the course of his visit, crew members provided Butler a thorough tour of the ship's spaces, including the combat and control center (CIC) and the ship's medical ward, where the crew recently trained to process detainees and non-combatant evacuees.

"It was a great opportunity to show Rear Adm. Butler a ship like Arlington right as we are making preparations for our maiden deployment," said Personnel Specialist 3rd Class Raul Florencio. "We're very proud of this ship, and we're proud to show visitors all of the hard work we have put in to making Arlington the best ship in the fleet."

Butler also took time to congratulate Arlington's Sailors of the Quarter, Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Jamin Beaugard, Fire Controlman 2nd Class Joshua Toohey, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Austin Harris and Fireman Diana Amimo.

"The visit to Arlington was a wonderful one and I really enjoyed speaking to the crew as I toured the ship," said Butler. "This ship has done a great job during COMPTUEX and I wish the captain and his crew the best of the luck on the upcoming deployment."

Arlington is currently underway with the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) which is composed of Arlington, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 4 staff, USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).

Commanded by Capt. Sean Bailey, Arlington is preparing for its maiden deployment this fall.