Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro (Austal USA photo)
By Troy Turner
MOBILE – Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Alabama Congressman Jerry Carl were among the speakers on stage Friday to help Austal USA celebrate the beginning of construction on the Expeditionary Fast Transport series-finale vessel, the future USNS Lansing.
The Lansing (EPF 16) will be the 16th and final ship in the class, and the third built in Mobile by Austal.
The latest versions of the fast-transport vessels are designed to provide enhanced medical capability that includes basic secondary health care built around primary surgery, an intensive care unit, ward beds, and limited x-ray, laboratory and dental support.
The catamaran design provides inherent stability to allow surgeons to perform underway medical procedures in the ship’s operating suite. Enhanced capabilities to support V-22 Osprey vertical flight operations, and launch-and-recover Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats, complement the ship’s medical facilities.
Vessels in the class also can be configured for use in Special Forces missions.
Austal’s keel-laying celebratory beginning of work on the Lansing comes only days after its ceremonial Aug. 27 launch of the USNS Point Loma (EPF 15), which was moved out of the bay and parked on the Mobile River for final assembly.
“This ship highlights the success and importance of our Maritime Statecraft initiative, encompassing a national, whole-of-government effort to restore the comprehensive maritime power of our nation,” said Del Toro, who praised the Alabama shipyard workers at Austal and also the reputation of frontline workers in Michigan.
“The future USNS Lansing is named for the capital city of the state that is a leader in developing the techno-industrial workforce we need to build and assemble the ships, munitions, parts, and pieces our Naval fleet requires,” he said.
Whitmer is the ship’s honorary sponsor, and as such was given the honor of welding her initials into a piece of metal that will become part of the ship. She talked about the pride Michigan has in having the ship named for one of its cities, and it will be the first U.S. naval vessel to carry the Lansing name.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
“I lived and raised my family in the Lansing area, and it is a big deal to us,” Whitmer said.
Rep. Carl, who represents the Mobile-area district, also heaped praise on Austal’s workforce, and he mentioned the Lansing as the final vessel in its class.
Rep. Jerry Carl
“Gosh, our last ship,” he said of the fast-transport series. Then, turning to Whitmer, said “governor, we saved the best for last, just for the record… It will be the best ship.”
Troy Turner is the editor and senior consultant for AlaDefense.com. He can be contacted a [email protected].
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