Sailors from the U.S. Navy’s Expeditionary Fast Transport vessel USNS Spearhead (T-EPF 1) are preparing for their deployment in 2016 to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations.
Their aim will be to support the international collaborative capacity-building program Africa Partnership Station (APS).
Sailors participated in a two-week training at the Navy Expeditionary Warfighting Development Center on Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story to become better acquainted and equipped for the upcoming mission.
Captain Doug Cassavant, Spearhead’s master, said: “My crew and I are looking forward to working with such a diverse group of Sailors. This year’s APS is an exciting opportunity to continue to build our relationships with our African partner nations and expand maritime capabilities.”
Spearhead is the first of 11 expeditionary fast transport vessels planned for the Navy’s Military Sealift Command. The ship is on her third deployment supporting theater security cooperation efforts and the international collaborative capacity-building program, Africa Partnership Station, in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations. Spearhead is scheduled to work with and visit more than six nations during her deployment.
T-EPF 1 is a 103-meter long aluminum catamaran capable of transporting 600 tons 1,200 nautical miles at an average speed of 35 knots, and is designed to operate in austere ports and waterways, providing added flexibility to U.S. warfighters worldwide. The ship’s flight deck can also support flight operations for a wide variety of aircraft, including a CH-53 Super Stallion.
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