 The Navy's first joint high-speed vessel, the USNS Spearhead, on its maiden deployment arrived in naval support activities Suda Bay. Captain Douglas Cassavon, Spearhead's civil service master, says the ship and its crew have a very diverse mission in the US 6th Fleet area of responsibility. The basic mission of the ship is intra-theatre transport of troops and equipment during wartime and peacetime and also natural disaster relief aid can also be accomplished. During the first of its kind, while deployed, the ship will undergo planned experimentation and testing to determine the ship's capabilities. We believe she's capable above and beyond what she was originally designed to do, so we're real-world testing of what our additional capabilities are. Mission commander Captain Mark Leterer explains how the diversity of configurations can make an impact on the Spearhead's overall mission. Instead of utilizing a large deck asset like an LHA, LHD or even an entire ARG, she's looking to carry 312 troops, roughly 600 tons, and she can travel an average speed of 35 knots over 1200 miles, certainly quicker perhaps than some of her larger brothers and sisters. The Spearhead is expected to remain in the US 6th Fleet area of responsibility until May of 2014. If you name it, she can adapt and get there when she needs to be. Petty Officer Christopher Prukey, Sudabay, Crete.