USNS Sacagawea (T-AKE-2) facts for kids
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|} The USNS Sacagawea (T-AKE-2) is a special kind of ship called a Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship. It's operated by the United States Navy. This ship is named after Sacagawea, a famous Shoshone woman. She was a guide and interpreter for the Lewis and Clark Expedition a long time ago.
The Sacagawea is one of the few U.S. Navy ships named after a woman.
Contents
| History | |
|---|---|
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| Name | USNS Sacagawea |
| Namesake | Sacagawea |
| Ordered | 18 October 2001 |
| Builder | National Steel and Shipbuilding |
| Laid down | 15 September 2004 |
| Launched | 24 June 2006 |
| In service | 27 February 2007 |
| Homeport | Norfolk, Virginia |
| Identification |
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| Motto | Leading the Way |
| Status | in active service |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Lewis and Clark-class cargo ship |
| Displacement |
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| Length |
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| Beam |
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| Draft |
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| Propulsion | Integrated propulsion and ship service electrical system, with generation at 6.6 kV by FM/MAN B&W diesel generators; one fixed pitch propeller; bow thruster |
| Speed | 20 knots (37 km/h) |
| Range |
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| Capacity |
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| Complement | 49 military, 123 civilian |
| Electronic warfare & decoys |
Nulka decoy launchers |
| Armament |
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| Aircraft carried | Two helicopters, either Sikorsky MH-60S Knighthawk or Aerospatiale Puma |
Building the Sacagawea
The plan to build the Sacagawea was approved on October 18, 2001. The National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) in San Diego, California built the ship. Construction started in September 2004.
The ship was launched into the water in June 2006. Two of Sacagawea's own family members, Lucy Diaz and Rachel Ariwite, were the ship's sponsors. The Sacagawea officially started service on February 27, 2007.
What the Sacagawea Does
The USNS Sacagawea is one of 14 ships in its class. It is part of the United States Marine Corps Maritime Prepositioning Program. This program helps the Marine Corps by storing supplies and equipment on ships. These ships can then quickly deliver what's needed to different parts of the world.
In January 2013, the Sacagawea moved to Saipan to join the Maritime Prepositioning Squadron Three (MPSRON-3). Soon after, it took part in an exercise called Freedom Banner in the Philippines.
Exercise Freedom Banner
Freedom Banner is an important exercise for the Marine Corps. It happens every year and helps test new ideas for how the Maritime Prepositioning Force works. During Freedom Banner 13, the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) used different ways to move things from the ship to shore.
They used MV-22 Osprey aircraft, which are like helicopters. They also used special boats called landing craft, utility (LCU), and landing craft, mechanized, “Mike 8” (LCM-8) boats. These boats were carried on another ship, the USNS 1st Lt. Jack Lummus. These methods helped set up the MAGTF and keep the forces supplied during the exercise.
Other Ships Named Sacagawea
The USNS Sacagawea (T-AKE-2) is the only ship with this exact name and designation. However, other ships in the U.S. Navy have also been named USS Sacagawea in the past.
Images for kids
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Sacagawea conducts an underway replenishment with the amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA-1), front, and the dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD-42) in the Persian Gulf, 18 March 2008.
