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USNS Watson (T-AKR-310) is one of the Navy's 19 LMSRs, and is assigned to Afloat Prepositioning Ship Squadron Four

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Specifications:
Displacement 29,000 t.(lt) 62,644 t.(fl)
Length 951'4"
Beam 106'
Draft 34' (max)
Speed 24 kts.
Cargo Capacity 292,000 sq. ft.

Complement

Civilian Mariners 26 up to 45

US Navy Personnel 50
Armament none

Propulsion

two GE Marine LM gas turbines; 64,000 hp (7.7 MW)

two shafts, cp props

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Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description		Source
	470k	Watson (T-AKR-310) on the builders ways at National Steel and Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, CA. prior to her launch date of 26 July 1997		Dale Hargrave
	294k	Mrs. Gail Berry West, Sponsor of Watson (T-AKR-310) breaks the traditional bottle of champagne across the ships' bow on 26 July 1997 to officially launch the vessel at the National Steel and Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, CA. In attendance is her husband, Secretary of the Army Togo D. West Jr.; her daughter, Ms. Hilary West, Maid of Honor and Richard A. Vortmann, NASSCO President. US Department of Defense photo # DN-ST-01-00408.		Bill Gonyo
0954031012	530k	Watson (T-AKR 310) executing a hard turn to port during the builder's sea trials off the coast of San Diego, 19 May 1998. U.S. Nation Archives Identifer 6517608 a NASSCO San Diego photo now in the collections of the the U.S. National Archives, College Park.		Robert Hurst
	93k	USNS Watson (T-AKR-310) under way, date and location unknown. US Navy photo.		MSC web site
	64k	USNS Watson (T-AKR-310) under way, date and location unknown. US Navy photo.		Global Security web site
	66k	USNS Watson (T-AKR-310) under way, date and location unknown. US Navy photo.		Global Security web site
	75k	USNS Watson (T-AKR-310) under way, date and location unknown.		Photo by Peter Westdijk
	430k	USNS Watson (T-AKR-310) under way 19 May 1998, location unknown.		Robert Hurst
	242k	An M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle is prepared for loading aboard USNS Watson (T-AKR-310), at Gwangyang Port Terminal, Republic of Korea, 12 March 2005. The on load is part of the first stages of Reception, Staging, Onward movement, and Integration/Foal Eagle exercises (RSO&I/Foal Eagle). RSO&I is a complex multi-phase exercise conducted annually, tailored to train, test, and demonstrate United States and Republic of Korea force projection and deployment capabilities. Foal Eagle exercise runs simultaneously and trains in all aspects of Combined Forces Command's mission. US Air Force photo # 050312-F-2902B-001, by Staff Sgt. Ricky A. Bloom		Robert Hurst
	249k	A Korean contractor uses a radio to contact his co-workers while loading a U.S. Army tracked vehicles aboard USNS Watson (T-AKR 310), at Gwangyang Port Terminal, Republic of Korea, 12 March 2005. The on load is part of the first stages of Reception, Staging, Onward movement, and Integration/Foal Eagle exercises (RSO&I/Foal Eagle). US Air Force photo # 050312-F-2902B-025, by Staff Sgt. Ricky A. Bloom		Robert Hurst
	276k	USNS Watson (T-AKR-310) moored at Wharf Alpha at, Naval Weapons Station, Joint Base Charleston, S.C., 7 October 2014. USNS Watson is part of MSC’s Prepositioning Program. Afloat prepositioning strategically places military equipment and supplies aboard ships located in key ocean areas to ensure rapid availability during a major theater war, a humanitarian operation or other contingency. US Air Force photo # 141007-F-TK607-003, by Eric Sesit.		Bill Gonyo
	629k	USNS Watson (T-AKR-310) drydocked at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, date unknown.		Ron Reeves

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USNS Watson (T-AKR-310)
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)

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Private George Watson United States Army Medal of Honor

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Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
Naval History and Heritage Command - Private George Watson

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Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log

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This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo

Last Updated 14 April 2023