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SASEBO, Japan - The amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) was given a score of above average during a Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) assessment July 26.
"We made INSURV our primary focus once we got back [from our most recent deployment]," said Chief Electrician's Mate Ricky Joseph. "We went and made sure to identify all the jobs, orders, and equipment needed in order for us to be successful as a ship's work force and all that hard work paid off in the end."
INSURV is a congressionally-mandated assessment conducted aboard all U.S. Navy ships to ensure that they are properly equipped and prepared to conduct sustained combat operations at sea. Inspectors examined the ship's damage control abilities, safety, habitability, physical condition and overall shipboard readiness to ensure its readiness for deployment.
Ashland's INSURV Event Scheduler Lt. j.g. Joe Lovejoy said the completion meant a lot to the entire crew. "It was so satisfying to watch each department roll through on game day and accomplish what we had been preparing for over the past year. The hay is in the barn!"
Ashland's Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Patrick German, who successfully completed three previous INSURV assessments, said this one took a complete team effort to accomplish.
"With over a year of hard preparation and great support from the Sasebo waterfront," said German. "The challenges we have faced executing operational commitments while conducting INSURV preps, makes me proud to see how far we have come. I am overjoyed with my crew and the ship looks her best in years. The American taxpayers deserve a ship that is ready for tasking."
Ashland, part of Amphibious Squadron 11, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance partnerships and be a ready-response force for contingency operations. Completion of INSURV means the ship is overall combat capable and on track to remain ready throughout her scheduled service life.