The keel-laying ceremony represents the becoming a member of collectively of a ship’s main modular elements on land, and is a big milestone in ship manufacturing. The keel is authenticated with the ship sponsors’ initials etched right into a ceremonial keel plate that’s later integrated into the ship. EPF 15’s sponsor is Mrs. Beth Asher.
“The keel laying is the start of a ship’s journey, and we stay up for the various milestones forward,” mentioned Program Govt Workplace, Ships Strategic and Theater Sealift Program Supervisor Tim Roberts. “EPF 15 will construct on the capabilities established by the Flight I configuration, offering all kinds of mission instruments, when and the place our fleet wants assist.”
EPFs function in shallow waterways. These versatile, non-combatant transport ships are used to shortly transfer the troops, navy autos, and gear wanted to assist:
- Abroad contingency operations
- Humanitarian help
- Catastrophe aid
- Particular operations forces efforts
- Theater safety cooperation actions
- Rising joint sea-basing ideas
The Flight II is a modified configuration that enables the ship to deploy as a quick transport or with Function 2 enhanced (2E) medical functionality, or each. Medical functionality consists of an intensive care unit, ward beds, restricted X-ray, laboratory, and dental assist. Extra capabilities which assist the ship’s medical mission embody V-22 flight operations and the power to deploy 11-meter inflexible hull inflatable boats.
As one of many Protection Division’s largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is accountable for executing the event and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships, sealift ships, assist ships, boats and craft.
