U.S. Navy to Debut High-Speed Transport Vessel, Future USNS Point Loma

The Honorable Nickolas Guertin, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition will deliver the principal address at an upcoming event. Vice Adm. Scott Gray, Commander Navy Installations Command, will also provide remarks alongside Ms. Michelle Kruger, President of Austal USA, and Mr. Stan Kordana, Vice President of Program Execution at General Dynamics Mission Systems.

As part of a longstanding Navy tradition, ship sponsor Elizabeth Asher will christen the ship by breaking a bottle of sparkling wine across its bow. This ceremony pays homage to a rich naval heritage.

The ship, named in honor of the Point Loma community, recognizes a relationship with the Navy that dates back to 1901 with the establishment of the Naval Coaling Station, La Playa. This bond was further strengthened with the creation of the Naval Supply Center San Diego in 1943. This vessel is the second to be named in tribute to Point Loma.

Configured as a Flight II ship, EPF 15 can operate as a fast transport or be outfitted with Role 2 Enhanced medical capabilities—or both. The medical suite comes with an embarked medical unit, two operating rooms, and can support 147 medical patients along with 38 civilian crew members who maintain the ship. Additionally, Flight II EPFs are equipped with an 11M Rigid Inflatable Boat and have MV-22 capability.

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