As the future amphibious assault ship LHA 6 USS America makes its way past the countries of the Americas to get to San Francisco for its scheduled Oct. 11 commissioning, U.S. Navy leaders continue to tout the ship’s aviation capabilities.
America represents "a new class of ship," notes Rear Adm. Frank Ponds, commander Task Force 49 and Expeditionary Strike Group 3, in a recent blog.
"Her foundation is in aviation – absent is the traditional well-deck to make room for the latest aircraft, specifically the MV-22 Osprey currently and F-35B Lightning II in the future," he says. "Increased C5I and medical facilities emphasize America’s multi-role capability as a humanitarian assistance/disaster relief first-responder as well; the architecture of the ship gives it an advantage when responding to a crisis – the long-range, high-speed airlift capabilities make moving people and supplies ashore more expedient than other platforms. From the standpoint of power generation and energy efficiency, USS America’s ‘hybrid’ gas turbines and electrical auxiliary propulsion motors combine to provide the ship extended ranges and high-speed endurance without increased fuel consumption."
On its first voyage, he says, America has been "engaged in a partnership-building 10-week transit of Latin America known as ‘America visits the Americas.’ Along the way, we have met and worked with partner nation sailors and Marines in Subject Matter Expert Exchanges, Theater Security Cooperation events, bilateral exchanges, community relations, and sports events. These activities are about building and sustaining relationships. USS America’s sailors and Marines are cultivating enduring and strong relationships which focus on shared interests based on a set of shared values i.e. individual liberties, human rights, personal dignity and a transparent democratic process. I believe that it is vitally important that we leverage our partnerships and relationships with other nations and their militaries to ensure a global presence and to address transnational challenges. Together, we can embody America’s motto: ‘Prepared in war, and in peace.’ "