US Navy commissions expeditionary sea base Miguel Keith

The US Navy commissioned the expeditionary sea base (ESB) USS Miguel Keith in a ceremony in Naval Air Station North Island, California, on Saturday, May 8.

The ESB originally entered service with the navy’s Military Sealift Command (MSC) and operated as a support ship by a composite navy and civilian crew since its acquisition in November 2019. The following January, the decision was made to commission the vessel and some of its other sisters as warships with the “USS” prefix instead of the original “USNS.”

The navy said the re-designation of Miguel Keith as a warship will allow for “greater mission flexibility” in accordance with international laws covering armed conflict.

Sister vessels USS Lewis B. Puller and USS Hershel “Woody” Williams were commissioned into US Navy service on August 17, 2017, and March 7, 2020, respectively. Two more sisters – the future USS John L. Canley, which is currently under construction, and the future USS Robert E. Simanek, which was ordered earlier this year – will be operated as warships following their respective deliveries.

See all the other news, reviews and features of this month’s Maritime Security Week right here.