According to a press release published by the U.S. Naval Forces Europe - Africa on August 13, 2020, the new US. Navy class of sea-basing ships USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) arrived in port Naples, Italy, for a routine logistics stop, August 13, 2020.
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The U.S. Military Sealift Command expeditionary sea base USNS Hershel "Woody" Williams (T-ESB-4) at anchor in Chesapeake Bay (USA) on 15 September 2019 during mine countermeasure equipment testing. (Picture source U.S. Navy)
The USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB-4) is a Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary sea base, currently in service with the United States Navy. The ship, which is the second of a new class of sea-basing ships, departed Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, on July 27, for its inaugural deployment following its commissioning in March. Its crew consists of a mix of U.S. Navy Sailors and Military Sealift Command civilian mariners.
At 784 feet long (230 meters), the ship features a 52,000 square-feet (4,830 square-meter) four-spot flight deck. Further features include a hangar, mission deck, and work and living spaces for hundreds of embarked personnel. Additionally, for the U.S. Navy crew, there is a Blue Crew and a Gold Crew, which will turn over periodically to allow for continuity while the ship remains forward deployed.
The USS Lewis B. Puller replace Afloat Forward Staging Base (Interim) USS Ponce which was able to stage people and equipment in support of multiple maritime missions in the 5th Fleet area of operations. Now, USS Lewis B. Puller will serve as the first ship built specifically for the purpose of serving as an afloat expeditionary sea base. The newly-commissioned platform will support TF 51/5’s diverse missions that include crisis response, airborne mine countermeasures, counter-piracy operations, maritime security operations and humanitarian aid/disaster relief missions.
Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Stephen Neary, commander, U.S. Marines Forces Europe and Africa said, the real strength of the Hershel Woody Williams is the flexibility of this naval platform. This versatile Expeditionary Sea Base can support naval aviation, command and control, and deploy Marines and other special operations forces going ashore.
