T-AKE USNS Washington Chambers Accepted into Military Sealift Command's Fleet

By Sarah Burford, Military Sealift Command Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Military Sealift Command (MSC) accepted delivery of its newest dry cargo/ammunition ship, USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE 11), during a ceremony at the General Dynamics NASSCO Ship Yard San Diego Feb. 23.

The ship, which was christened and launched Sept. 11, 2010, in San Diego, honors Navy Capt. Washington Irving Chambers, a pioneer in naval aviation who arranged the world's first airplane flight from a warship Nov. 14, 1910. The flight confirmed the potential for carrier-based naval aviation. Since its launch, the ship has been undergoing a series of tests and trials in preparation for its delivery to MSC.

"I'm always proud to be a part of ceremonies like this one," said Navy Capt. Jerome Hamel, commander Sealift Logistics Command Pacific. "This ship represents the continued growth that MSC is experiencing and our continued commitment in support of our Navy."

Washington Chambers is the eleventh of 14 ships in the T-AKE class of dry cargo/ammunition ships. Eleven will serve as combat logistics force ships, and three are expected to be attached to maritime prepositioning squadrons, which strategically place combat cargo at sea, enabling fast delivery to warfighters ashore.

"Washington Chambers is one of the finest ships I have been privileged to be aboard in my MSC career," said Capt. Mike Flanagan, Chambers' civil service master. "This ship will join the fleet ready to go to work safely, efficiently and with strong purpose."

Chambers has a crew of 104 civil service mariners working for MSC and 11 Navy sailors who provide operational support and supply coordination.

T-AKEs are the newest class of ships being built for MSC. They are replacing some of MSC's aging, single-mission ships such as Kilauea-class ammunition ships and Mars- and Sirius-class combat stores ships as they reach the end of their service lives.

MSC operates approximately 110 noncombatant, civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships, conduct specialized missions, strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world and move military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces and coalition partners.

Keel Laid for Future USNS Washington Chambers

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The keel for the future USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE 11) was laid during a ceremony at the General Dynamics-NASSCO shipyard in San Diego Aug. 25.

Barbara Whaley, a production group manager with the Naval Sea Systems Command's Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, confirmed the keel was laid "straight and true."

As a combat logistics force ship operated by the Military Sealift Command, the future USNS Washington Chambers will help the Navy maintain a forward presence worldwide by delivering ammunition, food, fuel and other dry cargo to U.S. and allied ships at sea. The ship is designed to operate independently for extended periods at sea and can carry and support two helicopters. USNS Washington Chambers is the 11th ship of the Lewis and Clark-class.

Continuing the tradition of honoring legendary pioneers and explorers, the Navy's newest underway replenishment ship recognizes Capt. Washington Irving Chambers, a pioneer in naval aviation history. Among his many accomplishments, Chambers arranged for the world's first take-off and landing of an airplane on a warship –confirming the potential of carrier-based naval aviation operations. T-AKE 11 will be the first Navy ship to honor Chambers.

The T-AKE program has contract options for up to 14 ships and 12 ships are currently fully under contract. To date, seven ships of the Lewis and Clark class have been delivered. The shipbuilder is delivering ships approximately one to two months early, with future ships delivering even earlier as the program compresses the overall build cycle.