USNS Lewis B. Puller

[adroth]

For the Navy's shipbuilding programs, the bill adds five more ships to the president’s request for eight. There’s one more DDG-51 for a total of three destroyers; it adds two littoral combat ships for a total of three; and it adds a Puller-class expeditionary sea base.

From: http://www.shipspotting.com/photos/middle/9/3/1/2461139.jpg



===

From: http://navylive.dodlive.mil/files/2016/10/Figure-8.2-1024x557.jpg

[Ayoshi]

Expeditionary Sea Base USNS Lewis B. Puller Begins First Operational Deployment | Navy Recognition - 12 July 2017

The U.S. Navy's first purpose-built expeditionary sea base, USNS Lewis B. Puller (T-ESB 3), departed from Naval Station Norfolk to begin its first operational deployment, July 10. Puller is deploying to the U.S. 5th Fleet to provide operational support for U.S. Navy and allied forces operating in the region.

< snipped >

The 784 foot-long vessel features a 52,000 square-foot flight deck, fuel and equipment storage, repair spaces, magazines, and mission-planning spaces. Able to accommodate up to 250 personnel, USNS Lewis B. Puller will support multiple missions, such as air mine counter measures, counter-piracy operations, maritime security operations, humanitarian aid and disaster relief missions, and crisis response operations.

According to McCarthy, the Puller is going to be permanently deployed overseas, which saves a tremendous amount of time in terms of operations. So the ship's maintenance, repairs and crew swaps will take place in theater.

USNS Lewis B. Puller is named after Lt. Gen, Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller, one of the most decorated members of the Marine Corps. He is one of only two men, and the only Marine, to be awarded five Navy Crosses. He fought in Haiti and Nicaragua, and participated in battles of World War II and the Korean War. Puller retired from the Marine Corps in 1955 and spent the remainder of his life in Virginia.

NORFOLK (July 10, 2017) The Military Sealift Command expeditionary mobile base USNS Lewis B. Puller (T-ESB 3) departs Naval Station Norfolk for its first operational deployment. Puller is deploying to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. Navy and allied military efforts in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Bill Mesta/Released)

[Ayoshi]

US Navy Commissions 1st Expeditionary Sea Base USS Lewis B. Puller ESB 3 in Bahrain | Navy Recognition - 18 August 2017

The U.S. Navy commissioned the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3) during a ceremony Thursday, August 17, at Khalifa bin Salman Port in Al Hidd, Bahrain. Puller is the first U.S. ship to be commissioned outside the United States, and the ship's reclassification provides U.S. Central Command and 5th Fleet greater flexibility to better meet regional challenges.

A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263, is prepared to be refueled aboard the USNS Lewis B. Puller, July 5, 2017. VMM-263 conducted flight certifications aboard USNS Lewis B. Puller prior to deployment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Austin A. Lewis)

[Ayoshi]

New kid on the block: ESB brings new flexibility to US 5th Fleet | Janes - 14 May 2018


USS <I>Lewis B Puller</I> pictured in Tubli Bay, Bahrain. The ship is forward deployed to the 5th Fleet, operating under the operational command of Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade. (Richard Scott/NAVYPIX)

See also: USN Expeditionary Transfer Dock (ESD) / Expeditionary Mobile Base (ESB)