An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


News Stories
U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC)

U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command Conducts Maintenance in India

by Leslie Hull-Ryde, Military Sealift Command Far East Public Affairs
17 August 2022

CHENNAI, INDIA (Aug. 7, 2022) – The Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10) moors pierside in L&T Shipyard in Kattupalli, near Chennai, India, Aug. 7, 2022 for scheduled maintenance.  As part of Military Sealift Command’s Combat Logistics Force (CLF), Charles Drew enables U.S. Navy ships to remain at sea and combat ready for extended periods of time.  In addition, CLF ships, like Charles Drew, also resupply international partners and allies operating in the Indo-Pacific Region.  Under Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet and routinely interacts and operates with 35 maritime nations in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific Region. (Photo by Joel Garcia)
CHENNAI, INDIA (Aug. 7, 2022) – The Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10) moors pierside in L&T Shipyard in Kattupalli, near Chennai, India, Aug. 7, 2022 for scheduled maintenance. As part of Military Sealift Command’s Combat Logistics Force (CLF), Charles Drew enables U.S. Navy ships to remain at sea and combat ready for extended periods of time. In addition, CLF ships, like Charles Drew, also resupply international partners and allies operating in the Indo-Pacific Region. Under Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet and routinely interacts and operates with 35 maritime nations in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific Region. (Photo by Joel Garcia)
CHENNAI, INDIA (Aug. 7, 2022) – The Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10) moors pierside in L&T Shipyard in Kattupalli, near Chennai, India, Aug. 7, 2022 for scheduled maintenance.  As part of Military Sealift Command’s Combat Logistics Force (CLF), Charles Drew enables U.S. Navy ships to remain at sea and combat ready for extended periods of time.  In addition, CLF ships, like Charles Drew, also resupply international partners and allies operating in the Indo-Pacific Region.  Under Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet and routinely interacts and operates with 35 maritime nations in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific Region. (Photo by Joel Garcia)
220807-N-N1109-001
CHENNAI, INDIA (Aug. 7, 2022) – The Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10) moors pierside in L&T Shipyard in Kattupalli, near Chennai, India, Aug. 7, 2022 for scheduled maintenance. As part of Military Sealift Command’s Combat Logistics Force (CLF), Charles Drew enables U.S. Navy ships to remain at sea and combat ready for extended periods of time. In addition, CLF ships, like Charles Drew, also resupply international partners and allies operating in the Indo-Pacific Region. Under Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet and routinely interacts and operates with 35 maritime nations in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific Region. (Photo by Joel Garcia)
Photo By: Joel Garcia
VIRIN: 220807-N-N1109-001
CHENNAI, India - Military Sealift Command’s (MSC) Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10) conducted maintenance at Larsen & Toubro Ltd, commonly known as L&T shipyard, in Kattupalli near Chennai, India, Aug. 7-17.

“India’s initiative to offer logistics, repairs, and refits to the U.S. ships assumes special significance in furthering the strategic partnership between India and the United States, thereby promoting harmony in South Asia under the Indo-Pacific initiative,” said Dr. Ajay Kumar, Defence Secretary of India.

Both Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed their intent to conduct maintenance in India during the U.S.-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in April.

“This inaugural repair of a United States naval ship, the Charles Drew, conducted by the L&T Kattupalli shipyard, is a landmark development to be celebrated as a symbol of our strengthened U.S.-India partnership,” said Judith Ravin, U.S. Consul General in Chennai.

“Today marks another step forward in Indian and American maritime cooperation. Our shipping industries positively contribute to a free and open Indo-Pacific by partnering to deliver effective, efficient, and economical repair of military vessels We look forward to seeing the outcomes of this endeavor and where our partnership may go in the future,” Defense Attaché at the U.S. Embassy at New Delhi Rear Adm. Michael Baker said when the ship first arrived in India.

Routine maintenance conducted aboard Charles Drew in India included repairs to safety and crew habitability systems and equipment.

“We appreciated the opportunity to complete this maintenance in India which will ensure we are ready for any tasking,” said Charles Drew’s Third Officer Anna Lewis, who serves as the ship’s navigator and operations officer.

Charles Drew is one of the many ships that are part of the U.S. Navy’s MSC’s Combat Logistics Force (CLF). CLF are the supply lines to U.S. Navy ships while at sea. These ships provide virtually everything Navy ships need including fuel, food, fleet ordnance, dry cargo, spare parts, mail, and other supplies.

CLF ships enable the Navy fleet to remain at sea and combat ready for extended periods of time. In addition to U.S. Navy ships, CLF ships also resupply international partners and allies operating in the Indo-Pacific Region.

MSC Far East ensures approximately 50 ships in the Indo-Pacific Region are manned, trained, and equipped to deliver essential supplies, fuel, cargo, and equipment to warfighters, both at sea and on shore. Under Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet and routinely interacts and operates with 35 maritime nations in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific Region.


Terms:

C7F MSC
 
Navy.mil  |  Navy.com  |  Navy FOIA  | USFF FOIA DoD Accessibility/Section 508  |  No Fear Act  |  Open Government  |  Plain Writing Act 
USA.gov  |  Veterans Crisis Line  |  VA Vet Center  |  FVAP  |   DoD Safe Helpline  |  Navy SAPR  |  NCIS Tips  |  Privacy Policy  |  Site Map  |  Contact US
 
Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command   |   1562 Mitscher Ave., Suite 250   |   Norfolk, Virginia 23551-2487
Official U.S. Navy Website
Veteran's Crisis Line