Austal EPF joins Exercise Argonaut

The Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Yuma (T-EPF 8) and a P-8A Poseidon, attached to Patrol Squadron (VP) 10, began participation March 27 in Exercise Argonaut in Limassol, Cyprus, with the Cyprus Air Force and British Royal Navy. The Cyprus-led exercise is designed to develop the individual and collective maritime proficiencies of participating nations in search and rescue (SAR) non-combatant evacuation operations and interoperability. Yuma departed Limassol to conduct SAR exercises and flight operations with helicopters from the Cyprus AF and British Navy. Argonaut is a regularly-scheduled exercise and is not associated with real-world events. U.S. 6th Fleet headquarters in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allies, in order to advance America’s national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa. (Source: Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet 05/30/19) Gulf Coast Note: USNS Yuma was christened Aug. 20, 2016, and launched at Austal USA in Mobile, Ala., on Sept. 17, 2016. Yuma completed acceptance trials in January 2017 and was accepted by the Navy on Apr. 21, 2017.