Mn5+:Sr5(VO4)3F is a new laser material with spectroscopic and laser properties similar to those of other recently reported Mn doped vanadates, but with the advantage of easier crystal growth. It has strong, broad absorption bands from 600–1000 nm and a sharp emission peak at 1164 nm. The splittings and polarization dependence of the spectra are consistent with the approximate C3v site symmetry reported for other apatites. Despite relatively large distortion from tetrahedral symmetry, the 1E and 3T2 states remain sufficiently separate that the emission is almost purely from the 1E state. As a result, laser operation is of the three-level type. Single pass gain/loss measurements indicate that any excited state absorption at the laser wavelength must be significantly smaller than the stimulated emission.