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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive
Contributed by TJ Tropea

USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE-3)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Foxtrot - Sierra - Juliet
 NFSJ
Lewis and Clark Class Dry Cargo/Ammunition Ship:
  • Laid down, 14 February 2006, at National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, San Diego, CA.
  • Launched, 6 December 2006
  • Delivered the Navy, 26 July 2007, and placed in service as USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE-3), assigned to MSC Pacific
    Specifications:
    Displacement 35,400 long tons (fl.)
    Length 689 feet
    Beam 106 feet
    Draft 29.5 feet
    Complement
    124 CivMar
    36 Military + 13 for helicopter detachment
    Armament
    Cargo Capacities
    Max Dry Cargo Weight 5,910 long tons
    Max Dry Cargo Volume 783,000 square feet
    Max Cargo Fuel Weight 2,350 long tons)
    Cargo Fuel Volume 18,000 barrels (DFM: 10,500) (JP5:7,500)
    Propulsion
    Main machinery - Integrated propulsion and ship service electrical system, with generation at 6.6KV by FM/MAN B&W diesel generators; one fixed pitch propeller; bow thruster.
    Speed 20 knots
    Range 14,000 nautical miles at 20 knots
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Source
    Alan Shepard 159k Astronaut Alan B. Shepard boards Mercury spacecraft Freedom 7 in 1961. MSC's third dry cargo/ammunition ship, USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE-3), is named for Shepard, the first American in space. NASA file photo. Bill Gonyo
    Alan Shepard 521k Advanced auxiliary dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE-3) on the builders ways at National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO), San Diego, CA., 28 August 2006.
    NASSCO photo    		 Mary Montgomery, General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego, California.
    Alan Shepard 137k USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE-3) on the builders ways at National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO), San Diego, CA., 28 August 2006.
    NASSCO photo    		 Mary Montgomery, General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego, California.
    Richard E. Byrd 606k USNS Richard E. Byrd (T-AKE-4), foreground, USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE-3), background, on the builders way at National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO), San Diego, CA., date unknown.
    NASSCO photo    		 Mary Montgomery, General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego, California.
    Alan Shepard 214k USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE-3) slides backwards into San Diego Bay during a christening ceremony held at the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO). USNS Shepard is the third Lewis and Clark class supply ship to be launched and is scheduled to join the fleet next summer.
    US Navy photo # 061206-N-9195K-039 by MC3 Patrick M. Kearney.    		 Tony Cowart
    Alan Shepard 184k USNS Alan Shepherd (T-AKE-3) launching at NASSCO. The Shepard is named after Rear Adm. Alan Bartlett Shepard, who was the first American astronaut in space and the fifth person to walk on the moon. USNS Shepard is the third of the USNS ships named after great explorers. Its primary mission will be to deliver ammunition, fuel, food and other supplies to combat ships at sea.
    US Navy photo # 061206-N-9195K-090 by MC2 Alexis R. Brown.    		 Tony Cowart
    Alan Shepard 63k USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE-3) departing National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO), San Diego, CA., for the first time to undergo sea trials, 12 June 2007.
    NASSCO photo    		 Mary Montgomery, General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego, California.
    Alan Shepard 61k USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE-3) departing National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO), San Diego, CA., for sea trials, 12 June 2007.
    NASSCO photo    		 Mary Montgomery, General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego, California.
    Alan Shepard 66k USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE-3) departing San Diego Bay to conduct sea trials, 12 June 2007.
    NASSCO photo    		 Mary Montgomery, General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego, California.
    Alan Shepard 464k USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE-3) moored at NAS North Island in January 2008. Photo by Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
    Alan Shepard 318k USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE-3) moored at NAS North Island in January 2008. Photo by Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
    Alan Shepard 329k USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE-3) moored at NAS North Island in January 2008. Photo by Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
    Alan Shepard 269k An MH-60 Seahawk assigned to the "Eightballers" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC-8) approaches the flight deck of USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE-3) to receive and transport ordnance to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) during an ammunition on load. John C. Stennis is receiving ammunition to prepare for deployment in early 2009.
    US Navy photo # 80525-N-0673M-173 PACIFIC OCEAN (May 25, 2008) by MCSN Kevin M. Murphy.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    There is no DANFS history for USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE-3) available at NavSource
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S.Navy Memorial Foundation
    Fleet Reserve Association
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    Navy Fact File - Dry Cargo/Ammunition Ships - T-AKE
    General Dynamics - NASSCO - Louis and Clark (T-AKE-1) Class Dry Cargo/Ammunition Ship Fact Sheet
    Back To The Main Photo Index Back To The Service Force Ship Type Index Back To The Dry Cargo/Ammunition Ship (AKE) Photo Index
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    © 2005 Gary P. Priolo © 1996 - 2008 NavSource Naval History. All Rights Reserved.
    Last Updated 25 July 2008