Photo By LaShawn Sykes | NORFOLK, Va. (October 24, 2025) The U.S. Navy’s newest expeditionary fast transport...... read more read more
NORFOLK, Va. (October 24, 2025) The U.S. Navy’s newest expeditionary fast transport vessel, the USNS Point Loma (T-EPF-15), arrived on Oct. 24 to Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story (JEBLC-FS) in Virginia Beach, Va.
Point Loma is named after the San Diego community of Point Loma, which has maintained a naval presence since 1901. That presence is now represented by Naval Base Point Loma, providing support for many Pacific Fleet commands and units such as Submarine Squadron 11.
Point Loma is the fifteenth Spearhead-class EPF, operated by Military Sealift Command (MSC). EPFs are known for their high speed, shallow draft, and flexible design, which allows for rapid transport of troops, vehicles, and cargo across coastal waters to support a variety of military missions.
Point Loma is the second Flight II subclass of its kind to join the fleet, said Brent Holbeck, a marine transportation specialist, supporting MSC’s EPF program. “This new vessel will enhance the Navy's logistical support and flexibility by providing fast transport and improved medical capabilities (two operating rooms, 41 medical beds, and support for up to 147 embarked medical staff) to combatant commands.”
While operating from JEBLC-FS, Point Loma’s 31-person crew of Civil Service Mariners (CIVMARs) will be focusing on Post Delivery Test and Trials and a Post Shakedown Availability before officially being introduced to the fleet, Holbeck said.
The 338ft.-long aluminum catamaran is designed to travel at speeds more than 33 knots or 38 miles an hour. It includes a flight deck that supports V-22 flight operations and can launch and recover 11-meter Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBS). Its missions are ideal for logistical support, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief.
MSC operates approximately 125 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 on MSC visit: https://www.facebook.com/MSCdelivers/; https://www.linkedin.com/company/military-sealift-command; https://x.com/mscsealift?lang=en
| Date Taken: | 10.24.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 11.13.2025 15:30 |
| Story ID: | 551028 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 17 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Point Loma’s First Sighting, by LaShawn Sykes, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
