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USNS Navajo
USNS Ships (United States Naval Support Ships)
USNS is the designation given to non-commissioned ships of the United States Navy. Although these ships are considered part of the Navy's Fleet, they are auxilliary support ships and deal primarily in the transporting supplies and providing material. Operated by the Military Sealift Command, these ships are commanded by a Ship's master and crewed by civilian mariners rather than Navy personnel. Depending on the practices of the builder's yard, the christening is often conducted in conjunction with the ship's launch.
The USNS Navajo will be the lead ship in the Navy’s new class of towing, salvage and rescue vessels. As an open ocean towing vessel, it will additionally support salvage operations and submarine rescue missions. The three T-ATF 166 and two T-ARS 50 class ships, which are expected to reach the end of their service lives in 2020, will be replaced by the new Navajo-class ships.
TIMELINE
2023
Scheduled for Spring 2023. Ship Sponsor and Navajo Veterans Advisory Council currently coordinating lives stream sites across the Navajo Nation for Veterans, their families, and community members to watch the limited event in real time. Awaiting dates from US Navy and ship manufacturers. Thanks to our current partners: Navajo Nation Museum, Navajo Technical University, Tuba City Local Governance, Dine College, Chinle Unified School District and .
2019
October 2019 the Keel Laying Ceremony of the USNS Navajo was conducted in Houma, LA. The laying of the keel is the formal recognition of a start of a ship’s construction.
2019
As a DoD formality, the Navajo Nation received nominations for a Ship Sponsor, a civilian woman responsible for keeping the ship namesake alive. Multiple nominations were received, vetted, and interviews were conducted before the Navajo Nation made their recommendations to the U.S. Secretary of the Navy. Secretary Richard Spencer made the final selection of Jocelyn Billy-Upshaw. Role and efforts are voluntary and unbudgeted.
2018
From 2018 to 2019, the NN Speaker’s Office (23rd and 24th Navajo Nation Councils) completed the requirements for the U.S. Navy. March 2019, the DoD announced the new T-ATS 6 would replace the four ATF Powhatan and four Safeguard class ships that were being decommissioned. Ship crest contributors include LaShawna Tso and Council Delegate Carl Slater.
2017
Former Council Delegate, Jonathan Hale (23rd NNC), sponsored the legislation with the assistance of the Navajo Nation Speaker’s Office and support of the five agency Commanders, the legislation successfully went through oversight, Nabikiyati committees, and Office of the Navajo Nation President & Vice President.
2016
Dec. 2016 Senator John McCain sent the initial correspondence to the U.S. Navy requesting the new fleet of Ocean Tugs (T-ATS 6) be named after the Navajo and other Native American Tribes that contributed to the U.S. Armed Forces. The correspondence was then presented to the Navajo Nation for consideration. (Photo credit: Marine Corps TImes)
Ship Crest
Shield. Per fess wavy Argent and Azure, in chief on two bar wavy Celeste (Turquoise) a horned toad traversed Proper and in base between two mullets of the first a compass rose Or quartered Sable, Argent, Celeste (Turquoise) and Or.
Crest. On a wreath of the colors Argent and Celeste (Turquoise) a wreath of palm fronds Proper surmounted by a tricolor rainbow annulet of Gules, Or and Celeste (Turquoise) couped at the top all superimposed by a demi-trident Or.
Motto. On a scroll Or, lined Azure (Dark Blue), inscribed “IINA YIICHAA NIDABAAHII BILLI” of the last (Dark Blue).
SYMBOLISM
Shield. The wavy white chief denotes excellence at sea. The two turquoise wavy bars symbolize towing and salvage. The horned toad is the Navajo symbol of protection. The two stars denotes the T-ATS 6 as the second vessel to be named USNS NAVAJO. The compass rose and its quartered colors of black, white, turquoise and gold signifies the four sacred mountains of Navajo Nation.
Crest. The wreath adopts the first named metal and color from the shield and blazon. The rainbow annulet is derived from the seal of the Navajo Nation, designed by John Claw, Jr. and adopted in 1952. The three colors traditionally represent the tribe. The wreath is a symbol of honor and achievement. The demi-trident signifies mastery at sea and Navy expertise in accomplishing mission requirements. The crest is similar to the crest found on the USNS NAVAJO (T-ATF 169) seal, the difference being instead of silver the trident is colored gold for continuity.
Seal. The coat of arms as blazoned in full color on a white oblong disc within a dark blue designation band, edged with a gold chain border and bearing the name “USNS NAVAJO” at the top and “T-ATS 6” at the base.
Crest developed by a NN collaborative collective that included LaShawna Tso and Carl Slater.
USNS Navajo Sponsor
Jocelyn Billy-Upshaw
Jocelyn is a daughter, granddaughter, sister, aunt, mother and member of the
Navajo (Diné) Nation. Jocelyn is of the Bit’ahnii (Within His Cover People Clan) and born for
the Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water People Clan). Her maternal grandfathers are the Áshįįhí (Salt
People Clan) and her paternal grandfathers are the Dziít’aadi (Near the Mountain/Towering
House People Clan). Jocelyn is a mother to two beautiful daughters, Mya and Naomi
(Mya is the USNS Navajo Maiden of Honor). Her parents are James Billy, a now retired United
Association Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 469 (Phoenix, AZ) member, and Helen Billy, a
retired 26+ year Navajo Nation government employee providing educational/ vocational and professional training opportunities to Navajo constituents.
Jocelyn's passion to serve and invest in her Navajo People was planted by her Navajo elders’ lives that re1ected their respective philosophies of Są’áh Naagháí Bik’eh Hózhóón (Diné traditional principles of a harmonious life of well-being among the natural world and universe) and Christianity. Clothed with her Diné upbringing, Jocelyn pursued most opportunities to empower and represent her community, Navajo Nation and Tribal Nations.
Now Jocelyn is focused on coordinating internal communications between Navajo Veteran stakeholders to ensure the Navajo Veterans stories' are shared with the USNS Navajo and its crew.
Visit https://societyofsponsorsofusn.org/ for more information about Sponsors.
Sponsor with Richard Spencer, Former Secretary of the Navy; and Polly Spencer, USS Nantucket Sponsor