The Navy on Saturday christened the expeditionary transport ship USNS Point Loma at Austal USA’s shipyard in Alabama.
Elizabeth Asher, who holds a bachelor of arts degree in art history from the University of Maryland at College Park, is the sponsor of the Point Loma. She christened the vessel with a smash of a champagne bottle on the ship’s bow.
Asher lived in Point Loma with her husband, Naval Academy graduate and retired Navy physician Dean Asher, while he served on the U.S. Navy attack submarine USS La Jolla.
“Austal USA was excited to see Mrs. Asher christen the second Flight II EPF for our great Navy today,” said Michelle Kruger, Austal USA president. “These ships are built by an incredible team of men and women who remain steadfast in their commitment to being the absolute best in the industry by providing the most cost-effective and capable ships to our great Navy.”
The future USNS Point Loma is named after the San Diego community with a long-standing naval presence, beginning with the establishment of the Naval Coaling Station, La Playa, in 1901, and later the Naval Supply Center San Diego in 1943.
Point Loma now is home to Naval Base Point Loma, bordered by the Pacific Ocean, San Diego Bay and the San Diego River.
The EPF 15 is the second naval vessel to represent the community.
It is the second Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport Flight II configuration built by Austal USA.
The Navy is currently embarking an Expeditionary Medical Unit (EMU) aboard the first EPF Flight II ship delivered by Austal USA, USNS Cody, at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story.
