The U.S. Navy will christen the future USNS Lansing (EPF 16) on January 10 during a formal ceremony at Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama.
The ceremony is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. CDT and will mark the ship’s transition from construction into its test and trials phase.
The principal address will be delivered by Hung Cao, Under Secretary of the Navy. Additional speakers include Vice Adm. Seiko Okano, principal military deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition; Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson, commander of Military Sealift Command; Michelle Kruger, president of Austal USA; and Scott Bonk, director of Future Combatants and Mission Systems at General Dynamics Mission Systems.
“As we christen the future USNS Lansing, we celebrate another symbol of the unbreakable linkage that ties the workmanship of our shipyard workers to those of our American mariners who will man these ships,” Cao said. “This also marks the pivotal transition from construction to the rigorous test and trials phase to ensure these platforms are ready to answer the call.”
Ship Sponsors and Namesake
The ship’s sponsors are Gretchen Whitmer and Lisa McClain, who will christen the vessel by breaking a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow in keeping with naval tradition.
The ship is named after Lansing, Michigan’s capital city. USNS Lansing is the first Navy ship to carry the city’s name. The Navy cited Lansing’s historical role as a manufacturing hub that has produced military supplies since the Civil War.
“The future USNS Lansing is one step closer to joining the U.S. fleet and Military Sealift Command to answer the call to action, any ocean, any time,” Cao said.
Expeditionary Fast Transport Capabilities
USNS Lansing is the final Flight II vessel in the Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport program. As EPF 16, the ship is designed to operate as an expeditionary fast transport, a Role 2 medical-capable platform, or a hybrid of both configurations.
The ship is designated to be crewed by 31 civilian mariners and can embark up to 155 embarked forces or an Expeditionary Medical Unit when required.
Flight II EPFs retain the core mission set of earlier ships while incorporating engineering and design changes that reduce lift capacity and improve overall operational capability. Enhancements include a strengthened bow, flight deck modifications to support CMV and MV-22 operations, a rigid hull inflatable boat davit, expanded medical treatment spaces, an elevator connecting the mission deck to medical areas, and increased berthing, potable water, and sewage capacity.
Military Sealift Command operates and sustains the EPF fleet, which supports theater security cooperation, intra-theater sealift, humanitarian assistance, and special missions.
The christening of USNS Lansing coincides with the Navy’s 250th year of service and reflects the service’s continued emphasis on innovation, maritime readiness, and expeditionary capability.
