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Choctaw County (T-JHSV-2)

2013–

Geographic place name; named for the county in Mississippi. This is the first ship to bear the name.

(T-JHSV-2: displacement 2,400; length 338'; beam 93.5’; speed 35 knots; complement 22 civilians; class Spearhead)

Choctaw County (T-JHSV-2) was laid down on 8 November 2011 at Mobile, Ala. by Austal USA; christened 15 September 2012; sponsored by Ms. Theresa Gilliam Pitts, a retired teacher; launched on 1 October 2012; and placed in service with the Military Sealift Command on 6 June 2013.

Choctaw County- Coat of Arms

Shield

Dark blue and gold are the colors traditionally associated with the Navy, representing the sea and excellence. The Choctaw Nation's emblem, in the center, commemorates the hardworking men and women of rural communities and the rich Native American heritage. The tri-parted portion of the shield represents the flag colors of the three counties in the United States named Choctaw: red denotes the canton of the Mississippi state flag; light blue indicates the Oklahoma flag; and yellow depicts the Alabama State flag. The chief signifies authority, the trident implies marine power, and the lightning bolts symbolize speed. These elements convey the JHSV-2's rapid transport, operating at a speed four times greater than current ships, and her dominance of the sea.

Crest

The ship's wheel symbolizes navigation. The bare arm represents the industrious civilian crew of the Choctaw County. The olive branch represents peace. The arrow signifies military preparedness for any naval wartime operation.

Motto

The phrase "Harvest Peace, Prepare for War" represents the vessel’s objective to maintain humanitarian responsibilities, while demonstrating readiness to defend the national security.

Choctaw County- christening-15June2012-120915-N-AC887-002
Theresa Gilliam Pitts, sponsor of Choctaw County, breaks a bottle of champagne during the christening at the Austal Shipyard, 15 September 2012. (Chief Mass Communication Specialist Sam Shavers, U.S. Navy Photograph 120915-N-AC887-002, Navy.mil Photos).

On 7–8 March 2013 Choctaw County successfully completed her builder’s sea trials. On 6 June the Navy accepted delivery of the ship from Austal USA at Mobile, Ala.

Choctaw County
An aerial view of Choctaw County at the vessel completion yard awaiting delivery at Austal USA in Mobile, Ala., 5 June 2013. (Courtesy of Austal USA, U.S. Navy Photograph 130605-O-ZZ999-001, Navy.mil Photos).

On 10 September 2014 Choctaw County, with Secretary of the Navy Raymond E. Mabus Jr., on board, arrived at Baltimore, Md., for the beginning of the Baltimore Navy Week and the Star Spangled Spectacular. The ship departed Baltimore on 15 September.

Choctaw County- SecNav Mabus on board-10Sep2014-140910-N-LV331-001
Secretary of the Navy Mabus tours Choctaw County during her transit to Baltimore to participate in the Star Spangled Spectacular, 10 September 2014. (Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Armando Gonzales, U.S. Navy Photograph 140910-N-LV331-001, Navy.mil Photos).

From 16–19 September Choctaw County participated in the 21st International Seapower Symposium at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, R.I. From 5–10 November the ship conducted proof-of-concept testing during Exercise Bold Alligator 2014 as an afloat forward staging base style platform. Later, on 1 December, the ship moored at Naval Weapons Station Cheatham Annex, Va., for a weeklong proof of concept trial.

Choctaw County-departing Morehead City-5Nov2014-141105-N-DY265-031
Choctaw County departs Morehead City, N.C. to conduct training exercises off the coast of North Carolina during Bold Alligator 2014, 5 November 2014. (Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Mike Lenart, U.S. Navy Photograph 141105-N-DY265-031, Navy.mil Photos).
Choctaw County- loading equipment-1Dec2014-141201-N-PP499-222
Sailors from Navy Cargo Handling Battalion 1 load materials in support of a Navy Expeditionary Medical Support Command proof of concept exercise aboard Choctaw County, 1 December 2014. (Logistics Specialist Seaman Brandon Bacon, U.S. Navy Photograph 141201-N-PP499-222, Navy.mil Photos).

On 3 September 2015, the Secretary of the Navy announced the re-designation of Joint High Speed Vessels to Expeditionary Fast Transports, making Choctaw County (JHSV-2) newly designated as (EPF-2).

Choctaw County- at Rota- 18Oct2015-151018-N-EC444-107
Choctaw County moored at Naval Station Rota, Spain, 18 October 2015. (Lt. Sonny Lorrius, U.S. Navy Photograph 151018-N-EC444-107, Navy.mil Photos).

Detailed history pending.

C. Kevin Hurst

Christopher B. Havern Sr.

1 December 2015

Published: Fri Feb 19 08:58:20 EST 2016