June 24, 2024
Austal USA Construction of the future USNS has begun James D. Fairbanks (T-ATS 13), the third of five steel Navajo-class tow, salvage and rescue vessels under contract with the Navy.
Construction of the future USNS is well underway at Austal’s Mobile, Alabama shipyard. Billy Frank Junior (T-ATS 11) and USNS Solomon Atkinson (T-ATS12).
“It’s exciting to see the new vessels arrive on our steel production line, which has been busy since it opened just a little over two years ago,” said Dave Groden, vice president of new construction for Austal USA. “We’re proud of how well our employees have handled the diverse work we’ve taken on since the steel line became operational.”
The ship’s namesake, James D. Fairbanks, was a Marine at Camp Pendleton who served in the Navy and became a prominent Seabees figure. Fairbanks grew up on the White Earth Indian Reservation in northern Minnesota and went on to have a distinguished military career.
He first served with 2nd Battalion (2/11), 11th Marines at Camp Pendleton and then served two tours of duty in the Navy, the first of which was Operation Iraqi Freedom, for which he was awarded the Bronze Star. Fairbanks is also well known for his service with the Seabees, the Navy’s legendary construction battalion.
The T-ATS will provide ocean-going tug, salvage and rescue capabilities in support of U.S. Navy fleet operations, and will be a multi-purpose common hull platform capable of towing large vessels. These vessels will also support several missions, including oil spill response, humanitarian assistance and wide area search and surveillance.
