Photo By LaShawn Sykes | 210423-N-AC165-0003 NORFOLK, Va. (April 23, 2021) – Military Sealift Command awarded...... read more read more
Military Sealift Command’s Fleet Ocean Tug USNS Apache (T-ATF 172) clinched MSC’s Maritime “E” award for the first time on March 9.
One of the top honors presented annually by MSC is its Maritime “E” award, with pennant. The purpose of the award is to recognize those US Naval Service Ships and Civil Service Mariners (CIVMARS) who demonstrated the highest degree of operational excellence during the prior calendar year. This award is similar in concept to the Navy’s Type Command Battle Efficiency or the Battle “E” award.
Winning the award is a positive validation for all of the hard work the crew has put in over the last few years, said Captain Matthew Hoag, master of USNS Apache. “The key to repeating this year’s success next year will require us to keep our guard up and put safety and mission excellence first and foremost as achievable goals.”
Captain Janice G. Smith, MSC Atlantic Commodore, Norfolk, Va., presented the “E” award on March 17 to several members of the Apache crew and the ship’s master on the pier at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, (JEBLC) Fort Story, Va.
“MSC’s “E” award appropriately reflects the endless hours the Apache crew have spent, maintaining the highest degree of operational readiness. It is a true testament to the elite seamanship of the civil service mariners assigned to the vessel,” Smith said.
In order to clinch the excellence award, the Apache crew developed a culture aboard the ship that instilled commitment to success and pride within all crewmembers, Hoag said. “I couldn’t possibly be more proud of my crew. We are a diverse group of experienced CIVMARS who love our work and have mutual respect for each other.”
Apache was nominated for outperforming all other T-ATFs in competitive-year 2020, by demonstrating day-to-day excellence in providing the highest degree of operational readiness, performance, efficiency, and safety standards.
Apache is the last of the Powhatan-class ocean tugs and the fifth ship in the Navy to bear the name. It is equipped with a 10-ton capacity crane and a bollard pull of at least 54 tons. Operated by MSC and crewed by 18 CIVMARS, the Apache was delivered to the U.S. Navy in 1981.
As the U.S. Navy’s maritime transporter, MSC is tasked with specialty missions such as salvage, towing, and research. In order for MSC to conduct their specialty missions, they use many vessels including their Powhatan-class tug boats. One particular transport mission involving Apache in 2020 involved the recovery of a Landing Craft Mechanized (LCM) that sunk 15 years ago near the quay wall on JEBLC. With the help of JEBLC’s Mobile Diving & Salvage Unit 2-5, the Craft was successfully located and towed from Pier 59 to the end of the quay wall, Jun. 10.
MSC operates approximately 120 non-combatant civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships, conduct specialized missions, and strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world while moving military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces and coalition partners.
For more information from Military Sealift Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/MSC
| Date Taken: | 04.23.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 04.23.2021 11:13 |
| Story ID: | 394580 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 401 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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