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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

Contributed by Mike Smolinski

USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE-8)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Sierra - Charlie - Hotel NSCH

Lewis and Clark Class Dry Cargo/Ammunition Ship:

Laid down, 14 April 2008, at National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, San Diego, CA.

Launched and Christening Sunday 8 March 2009, at National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, San Diego, CA.

Accepted by the Military Sealift Command, 1 September 2009 and placed in service as USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE-8)

Wally Schirra is assigned to the Sealift Logistics Command 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
	30k	*Namesake* Named in honor of Captain Wally Schirra (1923 -2007), one of the Mercury Seven astronauts, who flew three times in space, on Mercury 8, Gemini 6A, and Apollo 7.	Bill Gonyo
	2495k	*USNS Wally Schirra* (T-AKE-8) is in the background still on the building ways at General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego, 16 September 2008 as USNS Carl Brashear (T-AKE-7)** launches into San Diego harbor during her christening and launch ceremony. US Navy photo # 080918-N-7643B-081 SAN DIEGO (Sept. 18, 2008) USNS Carl Brashear (T-AKE 7) by MC3 David A. Brandenburg.	Robert M. Cieri
	786k	*USNS Wally Schirra* (T-AKE-8) is to the far right on her building ways as USNS Carl Brashear (T-AKE-7)** slides into San Diego Bay during her christening and launch ceremony at General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego, 18 September 2008. US Navy photo # 080918-N-7643B-081 SAN DIEGO (Sept. 18, 2008) USNS Carl Brashear (T-AKE 7) by MC3 David A. Brandenburg.	Robert M. Cieri
	1353k	*USNS Matthew Perry* (T-AKE-9) with USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE-8)** background on the builders ways at General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego, 8 December 2008.	Photo by Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
	786k	*USNS Wally Schirra* (T-AKE-8)*, named after Mercury, Gemini and Apollo astronaut Navy Captain Wally Schirra, slides into San Diego Bay during her christening and launch ceremony at General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego, 8 March 2009. US Navy photo # 090308-N-5191L-072 SAN DIEGO (March 8, 2009)* by MC1 Jose Lopez, Jr.	Robert M. Cieri
	2113k	*USNS Wally Schirra* (T-AKE-8)** moored pierside at General Dynamics NASSCO Shipyard San Diego, CA., May 2009.	Richard Miller, BMCS USNR Ret.
	1388k	*USNS Wally Schirra* (T-AKE-8)** underway, date and location unknown. US Navy (MSC) photo courtesy General Dynamics NASSCO.	Robert Hurst
	137k	*USNS Wally Schirra* (T-AKE-8)** proceeding through the Miraflores Lock in the Panama Canal, 6 November 2009. US Navy photo from "Sealift", magazine, December 2009 issue.	Lee Wahler
	503k	*USNS Wally Schirra* (T-AKE-8) moored pierside at Poseidon Wharf, Port Canaveral, FL., 14 November 2009. This was Schirra**'s first stop in the Atlantic after completing her maiden transit of the Panama Canal. US Navy photo.	Brandon J. Varner
	174k	*USNS Wally Schirra* (T-AKE-8) replenishing the German air defense frigate FGS Hessen (F-221), to starboard, and the French destroyer FS Chevalier Paul (D-621), to port, in heavy fog in the VACAPES OpArea, 5 May 2010. Photos taken from USS Bulkeley (DDG-84)**. US Navy photos.	Brandon J. Varner
	179k
	176k
	157k	*USNS Wally Schirra* (T-AKE-8)** southbound in the Panama Canal at the Mira Flores Locks, Saturday 14 June 2010. Going from Atlantic to Pacific. The container ship in the other lock is MV Cosco Boston.	Brandon J. Varner
	1862k	*USNS Wally Schirra* (T-AKE-8) being assisted by Dakanawida (YTB-831)** as she arrives at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, 9 June 2010 to offload approximately 160 pallets of bottled water and dry food stores as part of Project Handclasp. Project Handclasp is a Navy program that coordinates transportation and delivery of humanitarian, educational and goodwill material donated to the foundation by corporations, charitable and public service organizations and private citizens throughout the United States for distribution to foreign countries who need aid. US Navy photo # 100609-N-8241M-061 GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (June 9, 2010) by MCC Bill Mesta.	Robert Hurst
100914-N-1276B-022 PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 14, 2010)	512k	*USNS Wally Schirra* (T-AKE-8) transits alongside the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) during an ammunition offload. Nimitz is scheduled to transfer more than 1,200 tons of ordnance during the offload. Nimitz** is conducting blue water operations in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of responsibility. US Navy photo #'s 100914-N-1276B-022 PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 14, 2010) by MC2 Orrin Batiste, 100914-N-1638S-236 PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 14, 2010) by MCSN Thomas Siniff.	Lee Wahler
100914-N-1638S-236 PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 14, 2010)	972k		Lee Wahler
	2187k	*USNS Wally Schirra* (T-AKE-8) at anchor off Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, Christmas 2010. Wally Schirra** was preparing for deployment to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility with the USS Carl Vinson Strike Group.	Brandon J. Varner, Assistant Cargo Mate USNS Wally Schirra
	984k	An HH-60H Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to *Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS-15)* carries a load of supplies off the deck of *USNS Wally Schirra* (T-AKE-8) during a vertical replenishment with the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70). Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW-17)** are on a deployment to the U.S. 7th and U.S. 5th Fleet areas of responsibility. US Navy photo # 101229-N-2055M-021 PACIFIC OCEAN (Dec. 29, 2010) by MC3 Travis K. Mendoza.	Lee Wahler
	574k	An HH-60H Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to *Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS-15)* carries a load of supplies off the deck of *USNS Wally Schirra* (T-AKE-8) during a vertical replenishment with the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70). Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW-17)** are conducting maritime security operations and close-air support missions in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. US Navy photo # 110408-N-6505H-630 ARABIAN GULF (April 8, 2011) by MCSN Timothy A. Hazel.	Lee Wahler
	4878k	*USNS Wally Schirra* (T-AKE-8) prepares to refuel USS Bunker Hill (CG-52) while at the same time conducting VertRep with USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70)*. USS Carl Vinson* is taking on fuel from MSC replenishment oiler *USNS Henry J. Kaiser* (T-AO-197)*. All ships are wrapping up their deployment to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility. Photo was taken early May 2011, from an H-60S helicopter from Helicopter Combat Support Squadron HSC-21 Det 2* “Vagabonds” who were embarked aboard *Wally Schirra* for the deployment.	Brandon J. Varner, Assistant Cargo Mate USNS Wally Schirra
	486k	An HH-60H Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the Chargers of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC-26) flies between the amphibious transport dock ship *USS Green Bay* (LPD-20), left, and USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8), during a vertical replenishment. Green Bay** is underway supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. US Navy photo # 110717-N-RC734-153 ARABIAN GULF (July 17, 2011) by MC2 Joseph M. Buliavac.	Lee Wahler
	768k	An SH-60 Sea Hawk helicopter transfers pallets of stores from *USNS Wally Schirra* (T-AKE-8) to the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4), not pictured, during a vertical replenishment. Boxer** is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations and support missions as part of Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn. US Navy photo # 110812-N-XQ375-446 GULF OF ADEN (Aug. 12, 2011) by MC3 Deven B. King.	Lee Wahler
	305k	A MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM-263) lifts an AV-8B Harrier engine from *USNS Wally Schirra* (T-AKE-8) to the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD-5)*, not pictured. This was the first time this type of lift has been conducted at sea by a MV-22B. US Navy photo # 110822-N-KA046-038 ARABIAN GULF (Aug. 22, 2011)* by MC3 .	Lee Wahler