Rear Adm. Michael A. Wettlaufer, commander, Military Sealift Command (MSC), is rung aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) during MSC’s change of command ceremony held on board the ship, Sept. 8, 2023.

Civilian mariner Capt. Erwin F. Lao, right, USNS Millinocket’s master, maneuvers Military Sealift Command’s expeditionary fast transport USNS Millinocket prior to launching the fast rescue boat, while assisted by Chief Mate Jeffrey A. Motl while rendering assistance to a small craft in distress in the vicinity of Darwin, Australia, August 8.

Chariza “Chacha” Solis, a long-time NASSCO employee and the Start of Construction honoree for the future USNS Hector A. Cafferata, initiated the first cut of steel that will be used to construct the vessel.

The keel for the future USNS Lucy Stone (T-AO 209), the Navy’s 5th John Lewis-class fleet replenishment oiler, was laid at General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Company’s (GD NASSCO) shipyard in San Diego, August 8. Program Executive Officer Ships, RADM Tom Anderson, ship sponsors, Alicia Aadensen and Debbie Simmons and General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Company artisans, Fausto Cruz and Jesus Quevado, who welded the sponsor initials into the keel plate, were part of the ceremony.

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Military Sealift Command

Norfolk, Va. (June 16, 2023) - Capt. Stephen Arles, Commanding Officer, USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), delivers remarks during Comfort's Medical Treatment Facility's change of command ceremony aboard the ship. The change of command ceremony is a tradition where the outgoing commander symbolically relinquishes command and authority by passing the division's colors to the presiding officer, who will hand the colors to the incoming commander, thus beginning a new era of leadership for the incoming commander. (U.S. Navy photo by Ryan Carter)

A view of a Blue Water Logistic Unmanned Areal System on the flight deck of the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Patuxent (T-AO 201) while the ship was underway in the Atlantic Ocean, June 10.

Dave Yoho, U.S. Merchant Marine and World War II Veteran, delivers remarks during Military Sealift Command’s National Maritime Day ceremony aboard USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) May 22, 2023. National Maritime Day honors the thousands of dedicated merchant mariners who served aboard United States vessels around the world.