The US Navy has officially christened its seventh Navajo-class towing, salvage, and rescue vessel, the USNS Solomon Atkinson (T-ATS 12), during a ceremony held in Mobile, Alabama. The ship is named in honor of Chief Warrant Officer 4 Solomon Atkinson, an early member of SEAL Team One who served with distinction in Korea and Vietnam, earning multiple decorations including the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. The Navajo-class program, launched in 2017, is designed to replace aging Powhatan-class and Safeguard-class vessels. These ships are built for multi-role missions such as towing large combatants, salvage operations, firefighting, diving support, and autonomous system assistance. Measuring about 263 feet in length, the vessel features advanced propulsion, extended range, and accommodation for 65 personnel, strengthening the Navy’s support fleet capabilities.
