U.S. and Finnish Naval Forces Unite
The U.S. Military Sealift Command has issued the following news release concerning the Seafarers-crewed USNS Henson. Here the news:
U.S. Navy oceanographic survey ship arrives in Finland
Military Sealift Command’s oceanographic survey ship USNS Henson pulled into Turku, Finland, yesterday, May 28. Henson’s port call in Finland, the first for a U.S. Navy ship in nearly two years, gives the United States an opportunity to enhance its partnership with Finland and to build cooperation between U.S. and Finnish naval forces.
While in Turku, Henson will host tours for high school science students and conduct an underway survey demonstration with Finnish sailors and scientists.
Oceanographic survey ships like Henson examine the world’s oceans using a variety of sonar systems and other oceanographic equipment to collect environmental data in either coastal or deep sea waters. The information gathered is used to develop accurate maritime charts and models of the ocean. Survey ships are also used in special situations to locate downed aircraft or chart wrecks that pose hazards to safe ship navigation.
“Henson’s visit to Turku is a wonderful opportunity for our navies to collaborate and to build on the already strong friendship between our two countries,” said Capt. Nick Holman, Commander, Task Force 63/Sealift Logistics Command Europe. Capt. Holman oversees of all of the U.S. Navy noncombatant and logistics ships and aircraft operating in Europe and Africa.
“Henson is a truly unique ship with a big mission – to help us learn more about the world’s vast oceans,” continued Holman. “It is a privilege to be here sharing that mission with our neighbors in Finland.”
Henson is also unique because as a noncombatant ship, it is operated by the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command, or MSC, for the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography command. The ship is crewed by 24 U.S. civil service mariners and up to 27 civilian surveyors from the Naval Oceanographic Office that carry out ship’s survey mission.
MSC operates approximately 110 noncombatant, civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships, chart ocean bottoms, conduct undersea surveillance, strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world and move military equipment and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces.