Please report any broken links or trouble you might come across to the Webmaster. Please take a moment to let us know so that we can correct any problems and make your visit as enjoyable and as informative as possible.

NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

Contributed by Mike Smolinski

USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE-3)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Sierra - Hotel - Echo NSHE

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 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
	243k	MSC's third dry cargo/ammunition ship, *USNS Alan Shepard* (T-AKE-3)*, is named for astronaut Alan B. Shepard, the first American in space. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Class of 1944, Alan Shepard became a pilot and served as a test pilot at Patuxent Naval Air Station, later becoming an instructor. In 1959, he was one of the first seven astronauts selected for Project Mercury. In May 1961, he became the first American in space - the second human after Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin achieved that feat a month earlier. He returned to space in Apollo 14 and in that mission became the fifth person to walk on the moon and first to hit a golf ball on the moon. US Naval History and Heritage Command Accession # 88-161ZI* Oil on Canvas; by Everett Raymond Kinstler; 1965	US Naval History and Heritage Command
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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
061206-N-9195K-090	184k	*USNS Alan Shepard* (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.	#2-Tony Cowart #17-Ron Reeves
	230k		#2-Tony Cowart #17-Ron Reeves
	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.
	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.
	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.
	464k	*USNS Alan Shepard* (T-AKE-3)** moored at NAS North Island in January 2008.	Photo by Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
	318k	*USNS Alan Shepard* (T-AKE-3)** moored at NAS North Island in January 2008.	Photo by Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
	329k	*USNS Alan Shepard* (T-AKE-3)** moored at NAS North Island in January 2008.	Photo by Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
	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
	1382k	*USNS Alan Shepard* (T-AKE-3) conducts and underway replenishment with the guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG-85). McCampbell*, one of seven Arleigh Burke-class destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, is permanently forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan. US Navy photo # 090304-N-9123L-004 PACIFIC OCEAN (March 4, 2009)* by MC2 Byron C. Linder.	Lee Wahler
	449k	*USNS Alan Shepard* (T-AKE-3), USNS Carl Brashear (T-AKE-7), and USNS Flint (T-AE-32)** (in foreground) were in the same vicinity and had an opportunity to sail in close formation. US Navy MSC photo courtesy of contracted Puma helicopter crew.	Lee Wahler
	150k	*USNS Alan Shepard* (T-AKE-3) conducts a vertical replenishment with the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD-2). Essex** is conducting security patrols during her scheduled deployment. US Navy photo # 101002-N-YO446-041, Pacific Ocean, (Oct.2, 2010) by MC1 N. Ross Taylor	Ron Reeves
	680k	An AS332 Super Puma helicopter moves pallets of supplies from *USNS Alan Shepard* (T-AKE-3) to the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD-2) during a vertical replenishment. Essex** is part of the forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group and is underway in the western Pacific region. US Navy photo # 101021-N-2218S-202 PHILIPPINE SEA (Oct. 21, 2010) by MC3 Andrew Ryan Smith.	Lee Wahler
	211k	*USNS Alan Shepard* (T-AKE-3)** vertrep operations using a civilian manned AS332 Super Puma helicopter, 16 March 2011.	Photos by Thomas Epps
	232k
	358k
	240k
	522k	*USNS Alan Shepard* (T-AKE 3), middle distance, and the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Joshua Humphreys (T-AO-188), foreground are underway in the Gulf of Aden after providing fuel and supplies to the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4). Boxer** is underway supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. US Navy photo # 110427-N-ZS026-095 GULF OF ADEN (April 27, 2011) by MC3 Trevor Welsh.	Lee Wahler
	325k	A 330EV Puma helicopter prepares to land aboard *USNS Alan Shepard* (T-AKE-3)** during a replenishment at sea. US Navy photo # 110711-N-ZS026-073 GULF OF ADEN (July 11, 2011) by MC3 Trevor Welsh.	Lee Wahler
	432k	*USNS Alan Shepard* (T-AKE-3) left, transfers fuel and stores to the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4) as the guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG-103), background, prepares to come alongside Alan Shepard during a replenishment at sea. Boxer** is underway supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the US 5th Fleet area of responsibility. US Navy photo # 110711-N-ZS026-391 GULF OF ADEN (July 11, 2011) by MC3 Trevor Welsh.	Lee Wahler
	1108k	Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer *USS Truxtun* (DDG-103) , right, stand by as the ship approaches USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE-3) and the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4) for a replenishment at sea. Truxtun** is on a scheduled deployment supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. US Navy photo # 110711-N-ZS026-391 GULF OF ADEN (July 11, 2011) by MC3 Trevor Welsh.	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.
	1067k	A helicopter from *USNS Alan Shepard* (T-AKE-3) delivers supplies to the amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD-52) during a vertical replenishment. Pearl Harbor** is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group. US Navy photo # 111210-N-PB383-953 PHILIPPINE SEA (Dec. 10, 2011) by MC2 Dominique Pineiro.	Lee Wahler
	304k	An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26, Detachment 1, refuels aboard *USNS Alan Shepard* (T-AKE-3) during routine flight operations. HSC-26, Det. 1** is a forward deployed naval force asset attached to Commander, Task Force 53 to provide combat logistics and search and rescue capability throughout the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. US Navy photo # 151103-N-DN943-034 ARABIAN GULF (Nov. 3, 2015) by MC2 Gabriel Bevan.	Lee Wahler
	1165k	*USNS Alan Shepard* (T-AKE-3) comes alongside the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD-3). Kearsarge is the flagship for the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and, with the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)** , is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. US Navy photo # 151230-N-AX638-195 ARABIAN GULF (Dec. 30, 2015) by MC3 Tyler Preston.	Lee Wahler
	216k	*USNS Alan Shepard* (T-AKE-3) transits alongside the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) in the Arabian Gulf. Kearsarge is the flagship for the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and, with the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)*, is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. US Navy photo # 160203-N-KW492-007 ARABIAN GULF (Feb. 3, 2016)* by MCSA Ryre Arciaga.	Lee Wahler
	224k	*USNS Alan Shepard* (T-AKE-3) maneuvers toward the fast combat support ship USNS Arctic (T-AOE-8) in preparation for a vertical replenishment. Arctic** is deployed supporting coalition maritime forces ships in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. US Navy photo # 161119-N-RX777-064 ARABIAN GULF (Nov. 19, 2016) by MC3 Cole Keller.	Ron Reeves
	185k	An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the Dusty Dogs of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 7 transports stores from the fast combat support ship *USNS Arctic* (T-AOE-8) to USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE-3) during a vertical replenishment. Arctic** is deployed supporting coalition maritime forces ships in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. US Navy photo # 161119-N-RX777-112 ARABIAN GULF (Nov. 19, 2016) by MC3 Cole Keller.	Lee Wahler
	864k	*USNS Alan Shepard* (T-AKE-3) pulls alongside the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6) to conduct a replenishment-at-sea. America is the flagship for the America Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit*, is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of maritime security operations designed to reassure allies and partners and preserve the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in the region. US Navy photo # 171201-N-ZS023-042 ARABIAN GULF (Dec. 1, 2017)* by MC3 Vance Hand.	Lee Wahler
	56k	*USNS Alan Shepard* (T-AKE-3) participates in a vertical replenishment while on a deployment of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)*. The Essex ARG/13th MEU is a flexible and persistent Navy-Marine Corps team deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operation in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. US Navy photo # 190107-N-EY021-1164 ARABIAN SEA (Jan. 7, 2019)* by MC3 Tyler Diffie.	Lee Wahler
	208k	Sailors watch as *USNS Alan Shepard* (T-AKE-3) pulls along side the Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD-43) during a replenishment-at-sea. Fort McHenry is part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit*, is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the central region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. US Navy photo # 190121-N-AT530-1026 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (Jan. 21, 2019)* by MC3 Chris Roys.	Lee Wahler
	226k	Sailors observe as the Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship *USS Fort McHenry* (LSD-43) pulls alongside USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE-3) during a replenishment-at-sea. Fort McHenry is part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)*, is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the central region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. US Navy photo # 190418-N-AT530-1134 ARABIAN GULF (April 18, 2019)* by MC3 Chris Roys.	Lee Wahler
09750337	174k	An MH-60S Sea Hawk, assigned to the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser *USS Antietam* (CG-54), approaches USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE-3). Antietam** 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 # 200901-N-VF045-1023 PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 1, 2020) by MC3 James Hong.	Lee Wahler
09750338	282k	The Navy�s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier *USS Ronald Reagan* (CVN-76) pulls alongside USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE-3) during a replenishment-at-sea. Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5*, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the United States, as well as the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific. US Navy photo # 201105-N-BR419-1003 PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 5, 2020)* by MCSA Oswald Felix Jr.	Lee Wahler
09750339	129k	A U.S. Airbus H225 Super Puma helicopter conducts a replenishment-at-sea with *USNS Alan Shepard* (T-AKE-3) and the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD-8). The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit** are operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations as part of a scheduled deployment to the region. As the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed fleet, 7th Fleet routinely operates and interacts with 35 maritime nations while conducting missions to preserve and protect a free and open Indo-Pacific Region. US Navy photo # 210414-N-IV962-1024 PACIFIC OCEAN (Apr. 14 2021) by MCSN Nadia Lund	John Spivey