Just as a side note, HSV2 was also used as an ASW hub off of Angola last year. She was moved in close to shore and ASW rotors prosecuted off of her whilst looking for the NorK Romeos. The CVN and escorts were moved out to sea whilst she ran the searches. It makes an interesing concept for littorals ASW work - and especially for coastal ASW in island areas like the Indonesian Archipelago or some parts of China's southern coast.

re the comment about southern china coastal areas - that assumes a perfect world where the AO is absolutely benign. ;)

gf0012-aust: One should in no way confuse the operational requirements for a combatant such as HSV2 Swift and those for a tactical transport such as Westpac Express. Even when Swift was used to help support Katrina relief efforts, the tonnage and distances it was moving was far less than those of Westpac Express for the Marines. Navy ships aren't designed to haul cargo like merchant ships!

leerw: wasn't my intent. I was obliquely hilighting the fact that there was enough flexibility in the HSV2 for it to swap roles on station with minimal grief.

There is NO WAY the HSV2 could assume the mission of the WestPac Express. Their capabilities are entirely different. The WestPac Express is a personnel and cargo transport with big stern ramps. The HSV2 is an R&D test platform and has neither the pax capacity nor ramps. The new charter to replace the WestPac Express was expected in Feb 2006 and we will see what replaces it?

"There is NO WAY the HSV2 could assume the mission of the WestPac Express. " isn't HSV2 tagged for a stern mod?

MSC awarded Austal Hull 130 Chartering, LLC, Mobile, Alad a $13,395,944 firm-fixed-priced, reimbursables contract for HSV Westpac Express. This charter is a passenger/cargo vessel that will be operated to transport Okinawa-based Marine Corps’ Third Marine Expeditionary Force and their equipment. This contract includes four one-year options. The charter is expected to commence in February 2007. This contract was competitively procured with 8 offers received. Contract #N00033-06-C-3308