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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

Contributed by Mike Smolinski

USNS Richard E. Byrd (T-AKE-4)

/International Radio Call Sign:
November - Bravo - Yankee - Romeo NBYR

Lewis and Clark Class Dry Cargo/Ammunition Ship:

Laid down, 28 July 2006, at National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, San Diego, CA.

Launched, 15 May 2007

Delivered to the US Navy, 8 November 2007

Placed in service, 14 November 2007, by the Military Sealift Command (MSC) as USNS Richard E. Byrd (T-AKE-4)

Specifications:
Displacement 41,000 long tons (fl.)
Length 689 feet
Beam 106 feet
Draft 29.5 feet

Complement

53 CivMar

36 Military + 13 for helicopter detachment

Landing/Attack Craft: Air Cap two VERTREP capable helicopters

Armament none

Cargo Capacities

Dry Cargo 6,675 tons

Refrigerated stores 1,716 tons

Cargo Fuel 18,000 bbls

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
	91k	*Namesake* Richard Evelyn Byrd, son of Richard E. and Eleanor Bolling Byrd and younger brother of Senator Harry Flood Byrd, Sr., was born in Winchester, Va., 25 October 1888. After graduating from the Naval Academy 7 June 1912. Byrd was assigned to battleship South Carolina (BB-26), and subsequently served in Kentucky (BB-6), Wyoming (BB-32), Missouri (BB-11), Washington (ACR-11), and Dolphin (PG-24). He was retired 15 March 1916 because of a leg injury. On 24 May 1916 he was recalled to active duty, limited service, and acted as Instructor-Inspector of Naval Militia, Providence, East Providence, Bristol, and Newport, R.I. After the United States entered World War I, he organized a commission on training camps. Following flight training at Pensacola, Fla., he was designated Naval Aviator No. 608 on 17 April 1918 and served during the remainder of World War I as Commanding Officer, U.S. Naval Air Stations in Canada. In planning and executing antisubmarine patrols, Byrd pioneered in night and all-weather flying, designed improved navigation instruments, and devised a plan for a transatlantic flight, which resulted in the NC-4 flight, the first crossing of the Atlantic by air. After studying in England at the Royal Air Force School of Aerial Navigation, Byrd helped to establish naval reserve air stations throughout the United States. In 1924 he was ordered to Washington for a proposed flight of the lighter-than-air craft Shenandoah (ZR-1) over the North Pole, but when the craft was damaged in a storm, the expedition was canceled. Byrd then turned his thoughts to flight over the North Pole by heavier-than-air craft. He obtained funds from private sources to pay for the expedition and borrowed equipment such as planes, tractors, and ships from government agencies. In the fall of 1925 Byrd's first story appeared in the National Geographic Magazine, beginning a valuable association with the National Geographic Society which continued over the next three decades. Byrd and Floyd Bennett took off from King's Bay, Spitzbergen, 750 miles from the Pole, 9 May 1926. After 7 hours of flight they were over the North Pole. Byrd, the first man to fly over the Pole, was second only to Peary to reach that point. In 1926 Byrd acquired an improved three engine Fokker and named it America, and prepared for a nonstop transatlantic flight to establish the feasibility of regular passenger service across the Atlantic. However, while bad luck delayed Byrd, Charles Lindbergh took off from New York on 20 May 1927 and landed at Paris 33 hours later. The America departed New York 29 June 1927, found Paris fogged in, and so landed in the ocean just off the French coast. Byrd and his three crewmen were rescued, taken to Paris, and then returned to an enthusiastic welcome in New York. Byrd's first Antarctic expedition, consisting of City of New York and Eleanor Bolling, departed the United States 28 August 1928; steamed via the Panama Canal and New Zealand; and, on 1 January 1929, established a base on the Bay of Whales, Antarctica, named Little America. Byrd and three companions took off from Little America 28 November 1929 in the ski-equipped trimotored monoplane, Floyd Bennett, and headed for the South Pole where they dropped an American flag. When Byrd returned to the United States, he was promoted to rear admiral. In 1933-35 he led a second expedition to Antarctica. Living at an advanced base to record weather data during the long winter night, Byrd nearly died from carbon monoxide. Although rescued in time, he suffered from the ill effects of the poisoning for the rest of his life. Byrd's third expedition consisted of the Navy commissioned and manned Bear (AG-29) and Department of the Interior's North Star. Two wintering over bases were established and scientific investigation was intensified. During World War II, Admiral Byrd studied and reported on their suitability for airfields. After the war ended, Byrd resumed polar exploration. During Operation "Highjump" he led an expedition of 4,700 men and modern support equipment in 13 ships to the Antarctic. They explored much of the little known continent and added greatly to man's knowledge of the region. In 1954 the Secretary of Defense agreed to furnish logistic support for American scientists in the Antarctic for the International Geophysical Year which would begin on 1 July 1957. President Eisenhower appointed Byrd, Officer-in-Charge of U.S. Antarctic programs. Admiral Byrd remained active in exploration of Antarctica until he died in his home at Boston on 11 March 1957. US Naval History and Heritage Command Photo # NH 105371	Photo - Tommy Trampp Caption - Bill Gonyo
	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.
09750436	304k	Bolling Byrd Clarke, ADM. Byrd's daughter christens *USNS Richard E. Byrd* (T-AKE-4)** as the ship is launched at National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, San Diego, CA., 15 May 2007. NASSCO photo	Dale Hargrave
	103k	*USNS Richard E. Byrd* (T-AKE-4)** launching at National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, San Diego, CA., 15 May 2007. US Navy photo # 070515-N-3642E-289 SAN DIEGO (May 15, 2007) by MCC Shawn P. Eklund.	US Navy Newsstand
	99k	*USNS Richard E. Byrd* (T-AKE-4)** launching at National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, San Diego, CA., 15 May 2007. US Navy photo # 070515-N-3642E-304 SAN DIEGO (May 15, 2007) by MCC Shawn P. Eklund.	US Navy Newsstand
	305k	*USNS Richard E. Byrd* (T-AKE-4)** passes under the San Diego-Coronado Bridge for sea trials. Photo by NASSCO/ General Dynamics, 2007.	Robert Hurst
	161k	*USNS Richard E. Byrd* (T-AKE-4)** moored pierside, Naval Station San Diego in January 2008.	Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
	175k		Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
	208k	*USNS Richard E. Byrd* (T-AKE-4) and USNS Robert E. Peary (T-AKE-5)** moored side by side at the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company Shipyard, San Diego, CA., 11 January 2008. Photo by Pathh (real name unknown).	Robert Hurst
	252k	*USNS Richard E. Byrd* (T-AKE-4)** underway, date and location unknown. US Navy photo from the Military Sealift Command collections.	Bill Gonyo
	165k	*USNS Richard E. Byrd* (T-AKE-4) underway in WestPac while relieving USNS Niagara Falls (T-AFS-3)**, date unknown. US Navy photo from the Military Sealift Command collections.	TJ Tropea
	204k	*USNS Richard E. Byrd* (T-AKE-4) makes her approach alongside the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD-2) for an underway replenishment, 19 October 2008. Essex** is the lead ship of the only forward-deployed U.S. Expeditionary Strike Group and serves as the flagship for CTF 76, the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious force commander. US Navy photo # 081019-N-0120A-106 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Oct. 19, 2008) by MC2 Mark R. Alvarez.	TJ Tropea
	197k	*USNS Richard E. Byrd* (T-AKE-4)** moors at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka. US Navy photo # 090521-N-2013O-042 YOKOSUKA, Japan (May 21, 2009) by MCSN Charles Oki.	Lee Wahler
	336k	*USNS Richard E. Byrd* (T-AKE-4) sits pier side during Pacific Partnership 2009. The U.S. Navy's Pacific Partnership is the dedicated humanitarian and civil assistance mission conducted by, with and through partner nations, non-governmental organizations and other U.S. and international government agencies to execute a variety of humanitarian civic action missions in the Pacific Fleet area of responsibility. This year Pacific Partnership will travel to Oceania, including Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tonga. The Richard E. Byrd** serves as the enabling platform for U.S. and partner nation military and non-governmental organizations to coordinate humanitarian civic assistance efforts. US Navy photo # 090703-N-9689V-001 UPOLU, Samoa (July 3, 2009) by MCSN Charles Oki.	Lee Wahler
	204k	*USNS Richard E. Byrd* (T-AKE-4) center, and the Royal Australian Navy heavy landing craft HMAS Betano (L-133) and HMAS Wewak (L-130)** transit from Malaita to Guadalcanal while underway in the Solomon Islands during Pacific Partnership 2009. US Navy photo # 090814-N-9689V-008 MALAITA, Solomon Islands (Aug. 14, 2009) by MC2 Joshua Valcarcel.	Lee Wahler
	975k	*USNS Walter S. Diehl* (T-AO-193) conducts a replenishment at sea with USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) and USNS Richard E. Byrd (T-AKE 4)*. US Navy photo # 091023-N-5716H-557 PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 23, 2009)* by MC2 Josh Huebner.	Lee Wahler
	217k	A Military Sealift Command-contracted SA-330J Puma helicopter transports cargo from *USNS Richard E. Byrd* (T-AKE-4) to the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) during a vertical replenishment. Mercy** is conducting Pacific Partnership 2010, the fifth in a series of annual U.S. Pacific Fleet humanitarian and civic assistance endeavors to strengthen regional partnerships. US Navy photo # 100629-N-6410J-032 PACIFIC OCEAN (June 29, 2010) by MC3 Matthew Jackson.	Lee Wahler
	547k	The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer *USS Gridley* (DDG-101) pulls along side USNS Richard E. Byrd (T-AKE 4) during a vertical replenishment. Gridley** is on a deployment with the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility. US Navy photo # 110118-N-2055M-208 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Jan. 18, 2011) by MC3 Travis K. Mendoza.	Lee Wahler
	220k	The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer *USS Preble* (DDG-88) and USNS Richard E. Byrd (T-AKE 4) break away from the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) after an underway replenishment. Ronald Reagan** is operating in the western Pacific Ocean. US Navy photo # 110409-N-1004S-723 PACIFIC OCEAN (April 9, 2011) by MC3 Shawn J. Stewart.	Lee Wahler
	278k	The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer *USS Preble* (DDG-88) approaches the port side of USNS Richard E. Byrd (T-AKE 4) during a replenishment at sea with the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) Ronald Reagan** is operating in the western Pacific Ocean. US Navy photo # 110415-N-MJ491-066 PACIFIC OCEAN (April 15, 2011) by MC2 Matthew Jackson.	Lee Wahler
	223k	*USNS Richard E. Byrd* (T-AKE 4) transits the Bay of Bengal after conducting a replenishment at sea with the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) Ronald Reagan** is operating in the Bay of Bengal. US Navy photo # 110506-N-1004S-381 BAY OF BENGAL (May 6, 2011) by MC3 Shawn J. Stewart.	Lee Wahler
	213k	*USNS Richard E. Byrd* (T-AKE-4) and USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE-3)** moored at their builders yard, National Steel and Shipbuilding Company Shipyard, San Diego, CA., 7 August 2011.	Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
	295k	*USNS Richard E. Byrd* (T-AKE-4)** under way, 16 June 2012, location unknown. US Navy photo # 120617-O-ZZ999-002 by Kristopher Radder, taken from *USNS Mercy* (T-AH-19)**	Robert Hurst
	227k	*USNS Richard E. Byrd* (T-AKE-4) and the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Pecos (T-AO-197)** are underway in the Gulf of Aden in support of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and, embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (22nd MEU). The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility US Navy photo # 140320-N-HO612-181 GULF OF ADEN (March 20, 2014) by MC3 Erik Foster.	Robert M. Cieri
	206k	*USNS Richard E. Byrd* (T-AKE 4) transits alongside the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD-5) during a replenishment-at-sea. Bataan** is the flagship for the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (22nd MEU) is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. US Navy photo # 140408-N-JX484-345 ARABIAN SEA (April 8, 2014) by MC3 Mark Hays.	Lee Wahler
	266k	An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter leaves the flight deck of *USNS Richard E. Byrd* (T-AKE-4), carrying supplies to the guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG-52), not shown. Bunker Hill is underway in the US 7th Fleet area of responsibility as part of the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group. USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70)** and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW-17), are on deployment in the US 7th Fleet area of responsibility supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. US Navy photo # 140919-N-GW918-344 PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 19, 2014) by MC1 LaTunya Howard	Lee Wahler
150210-N-ZZ999-149 EAST CHINA SEA (Feb. 10, 2015)	347k	The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer *USS Lassen* (DDG-82) conducts an underway replenishment with USNS Richard E. Byrd (USNS T-AKE-4). Lassen** is on patrol in the East China Sea in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. US Navy Photo # 150210-N-ZZ999-149 EAST CHINA SEA (Feb. 10, 2015) and 150210-N-ZZ999-118 EAST CHINA SEA (Feb. 10, 2015) by Naval Aircrewman (Tactical) Helicopter 2nd Class Bryce Hawley	Lee Wahler
150210-N-ZZ999-118 EAST CHINA SEA (Feb. 10, 2015)	253k		Lee Wahler
	114k	A Military Sealift Command-contracted SA-330J Puma helicopter from *USNS Richard E. Byrd* (T-AKE-4) delivers pallets of cargo to USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) during a replenishment at sea in the Arabian Sea. The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit** is embarked on the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and is deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. US Marine Corps photo # 160125-M-DE426-003 ARABIAN GULF (Jan. 25, 2016) by Staff Sgt. Bobby J. Yarbrough	Lee Wahler
	1239k	*USNS Richard E. Byrd* (T-AKE-4) performs a vertical replenishment with the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75)*, not pictured. The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, maritime security operations, and theater security cooperation efforts, in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. US Navy photo # 160316-N-NK123-058 ARABIAN GULF (March 16, 2016)* by MC3 Jacob Richardson.	Lee Wahler
	198k	Fire Controlman 3rd Class Guillermo Ortiz fires a shot line from the forecastle of guided-missile destroyer *USS Gonzalez* (DDG 66) during a replenishment-at-sea with USNS Richard E. Byrd (T-AKE-4). Gonzalez** is currently operating with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. US Navy photo # 160506-N-VE959-045 GULF OF ADEN (May 6, 2016) by MC3 Pasquale Sena.	Lee Wahler
	213k	*USNS Richard E. Byrd* (T-AKE-4) transits alongside guided-missile destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) during a replenishment-at-sea. Gonzalez** is currently operating with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. US Navy photo # 160506-N-VE959-192 GULF OF ADEN (May 6, 2016) by MC3 Pasquale Sena.	Lee Wahler
	219k	*USNS Richard E. Byrd* (T-AKE-4) conducts a vertical replenishment with the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70)*. The U.S. Navy has patrolled the Indo-Asia-Pacific routinely for more than 70 years promoting regional peace and security. US Navy photo # 170507-N-GD109-194 PACIFIC OCEAN (May 7, 2017)* by MC2 Z.A. Landers.	Lee Wahler
	314k	The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer *USS Sterett* (DDG-104) conducts a replenishment-at-sea with USNS Richard E. Byrd (T-AKE-4). Sterett** is part of the Sterett-Dewey Surface Action Group and is the third deploying group operating under the command and control construct called 3rd Fleet Forward. US Navy photo # 170609-N-ZW825-232 SOUTH CHINA SEA (June 9, 2017) by MC1 Byron C. Linder.	U.S. Navy Photos of the Day Update 06/12/2017
	261k	The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer *USS Arleigh Burke* (DDG-51) prepares to come alongside USNS Richard E. Byrd (T-AKE-4), center, as she conducts an underway replenishment with the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7*). US Navy photo # 180629-N-IC246-0032 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (June 29, 2018)* by MCSN Raymond Maddocks.	Lee Wahler
	166k	*USNS Richard E. Byrd* (T-AKE-4)** underway in the Pacific Ocean while conducting replenishments at sea. US Marine Corps photo # 190527-M-EC058-0117 PACIFIC OCEAN (May 27, 2019) by Lance Cpl. Dalton S. Swanbeck.	Lee Wahler
	313k	*USNS Richard E. Byrd* (T-AKE-4) conducts a replenishment-at-sea the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG-85). McCampbell** is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. US Navy photo # 190703-N-JL568-1096 CORAL SEA (July 03, 2019) by MC2 Isaac Maxwell	Lee Wahler
	216k	*USNS Richard E. Byrd* (T-AKE-4) and the amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD-20) transit alongside each other during a replenishment-at-sea. Green Bay, part of the Wasp Expeditionary Strike Group, with embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit*, is currently participating in Talisman Sabre 2019 off the coast of Northern Australia. A bilateral, biennial event, Talisman Sabre is designed to improve U.S. and Australian combat training, readiness and interoperability through realistic, relevant training necessary to maintain regional security, peace and stability. US Navy photo # 190720-N-DX072-1154 CORAL SEA (July 20, 2019)* by MC2 Anaid Banuelos Rodriguez/	Lee Wahler
091919430	355k	*USNS John Ericsson* (T-AO-194) left, transfers fuel to the Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Richard E. Byrd (T-AKE-4)** during an underway replenishment on 31 July 2020 while underway in the Philippine Sea. US Navy photo #200801-N-UA460-0001 PHILIPPINE SEA (July 31, 2020) by Stephen Bowen.	Lee Wahler