USNS John L. Canley (ESB 6), the fourth ship for the US Navy’s reclassified Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) programme, was christened in San Diego on 26 June 2022, being named after Medal of Honour recipient Marine Sgt. Maj. John Canley.
Military Sealift Command is slated to receive the expeditionary sea base this year to undergo testing and qualifications for a variety of maritime operations, including aviation mine countermeasure and special operations force missions.
The 784ft ship is the sixth expeditionary mobile base built for Military Sealift Command, and the fourth expeditionary mobile base of the Puller class: the Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3), Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams (ESB 4); Miguel Keith (ESB 5); and John L. Canley (ESB 6). She has a flight deck and two aviation operating spots for MH-53E Sea Dragon-equivalent helicopters.
“Navy forces are more important than ever in building global security, projecting power, deterring foes and rapidly responding to crises that affect our national security,” Thomas Kiss, director of ship management at Military Sealift Command, said in a Navy news release.
“To do that we have to be forward, engaged and ready. This expeditionary sea base will do all those things and much more, providing our leadership with options and manoeuvre space; and supporting the Joint Force through a unique combination of aviation support, equipment staging, command and control, and most importantly, a well-trained crew.”
