Yuma IV (T-EPF-8)
The fourth U.S. Navy ship named to honor one of the major tribes of Native Americans who lived on land on both sides of the lower Colorado River, near the present site of what is now Yuma, Ariz.
IV
(T-EPF-8: displacement 2,460; length 338'; beam 93'; draft 13'; speed 21 knots; complement 22, troop capacity 312; aircraft landing pad for 1 Sikorsky MH-60 Seahawk; class Spearhead)
The fourth Yuma (T-EPF-8) was laid down as a joint high speed vessel (JHSV-8) on 29 March 2016 at Mobile, Ala., by Austal USA; subsequently reclassified to an expeditionary fast transport (T-EPF-8); christened on 20 August 2016; launched on 17 September 2016; completed acceptance trials on 26 January 2017; sponsored by (former) Gov. Janet A. Napolitano of Ariz.; and was delivered on 21 April 2017.
The Military Sealift Command will operate the ship, which can embark a company of marines or soldiers. Yuma is a shallow draft aluminum catamaran that has a flight deck for helicopter operations, and a loading ramp to enable vehicles to quickly drive on and off the ship. The ramp is designed to accommodate the limited piers and quay walls often encountered in developing countries.
Detailed history pending.
Mark L. Evans
24 April 2017
