Christening of USNS Point Loma (EPF 15)
The Christening of Point Loma, (EPF 15) was held on August 10, 2024 at Austal USA Shipyard, Mobile, Alabama. Elizabeth (Beth) Asher is the proud sponsor of the ship whose motto is: “Long Tradition, New Capabilities”.
Platform guests included: the Honorable Nicholas Guertin, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research Development, and Acquisition; VADM Scott Gray, Commander US Naval Installations Command; RADM Thomas Anderson, PEO Ships; Jon Thomas, Deputy Program Manager, Strategic and Theater Sealift, PEO Ships; CAPT Leonard Cannon, Executive Officer, Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Gulf Coast; CDR Jeffrey Perry, Command Chaplain, USS Bougainville (LHA 8); Michelle Kruger, President, Austal USA; Dave Growden, VP, New Construction Programs, Austal USA; Mr. Larry Ryder, VP, Business Development and external Affairs, Austal USA; Captain Dave Narby, Prospective Master, Point Loma (EPF 15); Elizabeth Asher, Sponsor of Point Loma, and Sarah Asher, Maid of Honor.
The ceremony began with Mr. Larry Ryder welcoming the audience. He recognized the over 3,000 members of the Austal USA team, of which 275 are Veterans, the distinguished guests, and Society of Sponsors representatives and Ships Sponsors, Rebecca Byrne, USS MOBILE (LCS 26) and Bruni Bradley, USNS Guam (HST 1).
Ms. Michelle Kruger, President, Austal USA also recognized the patriotic Austal USA employees. She noted that the Point Loma was the 15th EPF. She discussed the mission of the Expeditionary Fast transport ships (EPF). She said that “EPF’s enable the rapid projection of agile maneuver and sustainment of modular tailored forces in response to a wide range of military and civilian needs.” She emphasized that building the ship was complex and would not be possible without the cooperation of Mobile’s small businesses and suppliers, industry, the Navy, and community partners. She lauded the phenomenal Austral USA workforce as being the best shipbuilders and pointed out their innovation, work ethic and dedication.
Mr. Stan Kordana, Vice President of Program Execution, General Dynamics Mission Systems, said that General Dynamics was very proud to partner with Austal USA. General Dynamics has 46 systems and 1200 pieces of hardware on the Point Loma to include enhanced medical capability systems.
VADM Scott Gray, Commander US Naval Installations Command and representative of Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Lisa Franchetti, explained that the ships in the EPF class were named after medium sized American communities which had strong Navy ties and support. He commented that Point Loma had a long tradition of supporting Navy installations and that the community welcomed and integrated Sailors into its fabric. He discussed the various missions of the EPF’s to include: overseas contingency operations, humanitarian assistance missions, disaster relief, special operations, theatre security, and emerging joint sea basing concepts. He further emphasized that the ship had a helicopter deck, could maneuver quickly and in shallow waters, and was able to onload and offload essential equipment when and where needed to support essential missions. The ship is also equipped with expeditionary medical operations with the capability to provide facilities such as an intensive care unit and medical labs. In short, the USNS Point Loma “added to the capabilities of the United States Navy to stay in the fight around the globe”.
Principal Speaker, the Honorable Nicholas Guertin, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research Development, and Acquisition, spoke about the Navy’s ties to Point Loma and its strong navy support. He pointed out that Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro’s “number one priority is strengthening maritime dominance.” He emphasized that building and delivering diversified platforms does just that. He mentioned that the USNS Point Loma was like a Swiss Army knife, able to do a multitude of missions. He further discussed the challenges facing the US shipbuilding industry and how the dedicated men and women in the industry were working to meet the challenges. He went through the many ships delivered in since he assumed his position, emphasizing cutting edge technologies and the varied platforms.
Beth Asher, the ship’s sponsor thanked all who made the ceremony possible, and thanked the Austal employees for their skill, effort, “dedication and hard work in extreme conditions.” She commented on her long relationship with Point Loma and San Diego, and that her husband and Secretary Harker (former Acting Secretary of the Navy) graduated from Point Loma high school. She was excited to begin her role as Sponsor. She said that her research showed her that the ship should have some of her personality. She said that 1) she was small but tough, and that she could hold her own in any situation; 2) that she was stubborn, does not like to ask for help and if she could do it by herself, she would; and 3) that she panicked really well. If something would go awry that she would regroup and figure it out. She had confidence that these traits were imbedded in the Point Loma. She was looking forward to seeing how the USNS Point Loma incorporated herself into the many missions, and that “the crew would make all of us proud.” She concluded her remarks by thanking all who made the ceremony possible and pointed out the tireless efforts by Alicia Aadnesen, Ships Introduction Specialist, for her dedication.
Beth Asher and the official party proceeded to the platform to christen the ship. She proclaimed: “For the United States of America, I christen the Point Loma. May God bless this ship and all who sail in her.” And she did it magnificently christened the ship with one swing and she was certainly surprised by the champagne shower.
Contributed by Bruni Bradley
Author: Martha Hill
website admin & member
