By Chicago Times Magazine –
December 17, 2025
On December 16th, the John Lewis‑class fleet replenishment oiler USNS Lucy Stone (T‑AO 209) was delivered to the U.S. Navy, marking the official transfer of the ship from builder General Dynamics NASSCO to the Navy. The delivery follows successful sea trials that tested the ship’s readiness and validated its capabilities for at‑sea operations.
Operated by the Military Sealift Command, John Lewis‑class ships offer substantial capacity for fuel and dry cargo as well as support for aviation operations. T‑AO oilers expand the Navy’s Combat Logistics Force and serve as a cornerstone of the service’s fuel delivery capability.
General Dynamics NASSCO is also building additional John Lewis‑class T‑AOs, including USNS Sojourner Truth (T‑AO 210), Thurgood Marshall (T‑AO 211), Ruth Bader Ginsburg (T‑AO 212) and Harriet Tubman (T‑AO 213). The future USNS Dolores Huerta (T‑AO 214), Joshua L. Goldberg (T‑AO 215) and Thomas D. Parham Jr. (T‑AO 216) are under contract.
Program Executive Office Ships, one of the Department of War’s largest acquisition organizations, oversees the development and procurement of destroyers, amphibious ships and craft, auxiliary ships, special mission ships, sealift ships and support ships.
