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

USNS "Richard E. Byrd" (T-AKE-4) is a "Lewis and Clark"-class dry cargo ship in the United States Navy. She is the second United States Navy ship to be named after polar explorer Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd (1888–1957).

The contract to build her was awarded to National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) of San Diego, California, on 18 July 2003. She was launched from the building ways into the San Diego Bay on the evening of 15 May 2007; Bolling Byrd Clarke, Admiral Byrd's eldest daughter, broke the ceremonial bottle of champagne on the ship's bow to start the launch amid fireworks and fanfare. [cite web
url= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a9rtwzKfgQ
title= T-AKE Ship: USNS "Richard E. Byrd" Launch
date= October 25, 2007 |format= |work= | publisher= YouTube
accessdate= 2008-05-13 ] Construction continued until the U.S. Navy accepted her on 14 November 2007. Additional construction work continued until she was delivered to Military Sealift Command (MSC) for crewing and placed in service on 8 January 2008.

She completed a fitting-out period as well multiple operational inspections and trials, including a full INSURV inspection on 27 March 2008. A final period of modifications and design alterations was completed during a 70-day availability before full fleet introduction on 25 July 2008. The ship joins the Pacific Fleet and predominantly operates in the Far East and Indian Ocean operation areas.

References

Based on data from the Naval Vessel Register and press releases.

External links

*cite web
url= http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/AKE4.htm
title= USNS "Richard E. Byrd" (T-AKE 4)
author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors=
date= 11/15/2007 | work= Naval Vessel Register | publisher= United States Navy
accessdate= 2008-05-13
*cite web
url= http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/75/7504.htm
title= T-AKE-4 "Richard E. Byrd"
last= Priolo |first= Gary P. | date= 4 January 2008
work= Service Ship Photo Archive | publisher= NavSource Online
accessdate= 2008-05-13
*cite web
url= http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2008/07/mil-080725-nns03.htm
title= New Ship Class Begins Operations in 7th Fleet
publisher= Navy NewsStand
accessdate= 2008-07-25
* [http://www.ussrichardebyrd.com USS "Richard E. Byrd" (DDG-23) veterans' website]