The USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo (T-AK-3008) is a strategic sealift ship built to support rapid deployment of military forces and supplies. Constructed by the General Dynamics Quincy Shipbuilding Division in Quincy, Massachusetts, she was launched as MV 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo in 1985 and later acquired by the U.S. Navy in 2007, gaining the designation USNS. She is the lead ship of her class of roll-on/roll-off vessels, designed to carry cargo, vehicles, and liquids to sustain a 17,000-man Marine Air Ground Task Force for up to 30 days. Measuring 673 feet (205.13 meters) in length, 105 feet (32 meters) in width, and with a draft of 29 feet (8.8 meters), the ship displaces approximately 40,846 tons when fully loaded. Her cargo capacity includes 162,500 square feet of vehicle storage space, capable of transporting up to 1,605,000 gallons of petroleum, 81,700 gallons of water, and 522 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). The ship is equipped with multiple cranes, including two double cranes amidships and a forward crane, to facilitate cargo operations. A helicopter landing platform aft allows for rotary-wing operations, supporting mission flexibility. Propulsion is provided by two Stork-Wartsila Werkspoor 18TM410 diesel engines delivering 26,400 brake horsepower, enabling a cruising speed of 17.7 knots and a range of approximately 12,840 nautical miles at 18 knots. Maneuverability is aided by a 1,000 bhp bow thruster. The vessel's design emphasizes cargo versatility, with features like a retractable ramp capable of supporting heavy vehicles. Initially chartered as a civilian vessel in 1985, the USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo served in Europe as part of the Maritime Prepositioning Force, acting as its flagship until 2012. Her operational history included supporting logistical missions worldwide, notably in the Mediterranean. In April 2024, she experienced a fire en route to aid efforts near Gaza, causing a return to port. By late 2024, she was moved to the James River Reserve Fleet and subsequently arrived in Brownsville, Texas, for scrapping as of August 2025. Her service highlights her role in strategic sealift and military logistics support.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.