USNS Benavidez (T-AKR-306) was a Bob Hope-class roll on roll off vehicle cargo ship of the United States Navy. She was built by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, New Orleans and delivered to the Navy on 10 September 2003.[1] They assigned her to the United States Department of Defense's Military Sealift Command.[2] Benavidez is named for Medal of Honor recipient Master Sergeant Roy P. Benavidez, and is one of 11 Surge LMSRs operated by a private company under contract to the Military Sealift Command. She was assigned to the MSC Atlantic surge force and is maintained in Ready Operational Status 4. On 21 September 2022, Benavidez left service and was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register.[1]

History
United States
NameUSNS Benavidez
OperatorMilitary Sealift Command
BuilderNorthrop Grumman Ship Systems, New Orleans
Laid down15 December 1999
Launched11 August 2001
Completed10 September 2003
In service10 September 2003
Out of service21 September 2022
Stricken21 September 2022
Identification
StatusStricken
General characteristics
Class and typeBob Hope-class roll on roll off vehicle cargo ship
Displacement
  • 35,500 t.(lt)
  • 62096 t.(fl)
Length951 ft 5 in (290.0 m)
Beam106 ft (32.3 m)
Draft34 ft 10 in (10.6 m) maximum
Propulsion
Speed24 knots (44 km/h)
Capacity
  • 300,000 sq ft (28,000 m2)
  • 49,991 sq ft (4,644.3 m2) deck cargo
Complement
  • 26 reduced / up to 45 full, civilian mariners
  • 50 US Navy personnel

In March, 2024, she was designated to assist in construction of the Gaza floating pier.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b "BENAVIDEZ (AKR 306)". Naval Vessel Register. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  2. ^ "USNS Benavidez (T-AKR-306)". United States Department of Defense. Retrieved 2010-02-22.
  3. ^ SAM LAGRONE; MALLORY SHELBOURNE (March 12, 2024). "Army Watercraft Depart for Gaza Port Mission, Navy Preparing East Coast Reserve Ship to Sail". USNI News. US Naval Institute.

Further reading

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