Namesake Washington Chambers Laid down 25 August 2009 Christened 11 September 2010 Construction started 25 August 2009 | Awarded 12 December 2008 Sponsored by Loretta Penn In service 23 February 2011 Launched 11 September 2010 | |
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Builder National Steel and Shipbuilding Company | ||
USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE-11) is a Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship of the United States Navy, named in honor of Captain Washington Chambers (1856–1934), a pioneer in US naval aviation. The contract to build Washington Chambers was awarded to National Steel and Shipbuilding Company on 12 December 2008. Her keel was laid down on 25 August 2009.
Washington Chambers was launched and christened on 11 September 2010 sponsored by Loretta Penn, wife of former Acting Secretary of the Navy, B.J. Penn. The ship will deliver ammunition, provisions, spare parts, potable water and petroleum products to US Navy and other navy ships at sea, allowing them to remain underway and combat ready for extended periods of time.
Washington Chambers was delivered to the US Navy's Military Sealift Command on 23 February 2011, following a series of tests and sea trials.