T-AKE 8: USNS Wally Schirra Photo Gallery

The Start of Construction ceremony for T-AKE 8 on October 31, 2007.

Mrs. Nitananda Crowe, the Start of Construction ceremony honoree for T-AKE 8, prepares to use a cutting torch on the ship&rsquo;s first steel part.

Mrs. Crowe inspects the steel part she cut for T-AKE 8, as NASSCO

Mrs. Hannah Goddard, wife of PEO Ships RADM Chuck Goddard, welds her initials into the keel of T-AKE 8 on April 14, 2008.

Mrs. Hannah Goddard is the honoree for the T-AKE 8 Keel-Laying ceremony on April 14, 2008.

A stern view of T-AKE 8 under construction in June 2008.

A forward hull section of T-AKE 8 is put into position on June 27, 2008.

A three-deck section of T-AKE 8

T-AKE 8

USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8) in Fall 2008

The Wally Schirra (left) and Matthew Perry on NASSCO

The sponsor

The launch of USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8) at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard on March 8, 2009.

T-AKE 8 shares the outfitting pier with T-AKE 7 at NASSCO in March 2009.

USNS Wally Schirra in the San Diego harbor channel enroute to Sea Trials.

USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8) was delivered to the Navy on September 1, 2009.

USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8).

USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8).