Currently, there are 4 Lewis B. Puller Class ESBs in operation with MSC. More ESBs are currently being built and more are scheduled to be delivered in the coming years. The current MSC ESBs include:
USS Lewis B. Puller (T-ESB 3)
USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (T-ESB 4)
USS Miguel Keith (T-ESB 5)
USNS John L. Canley (T-ESB 6)
Robert E. Simanek (T-ESB 7), Under Construction
Hector A. Cafferata Jr. (T-ESB 8), Under Construction
Common Ports
Unlike most MSC ships, the ESBs do have designated homeports. This is because of their constant Navy presence on board. As a result, the ESBs will typically operate in certain areas as detailed below. Please note these are always subject to change and only summaries of past deployments, not predictions of future deployments.
USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3), Norfolk, Virginia
Common Ports: The Puller is typically deployed to 5th and the Persian Gulf. Typical 5th fleet ports include Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.
USS Hershel 'Woody' Williams (ESB 4), Souda Bay, Greece
Common Ports: The Woody is typically in the Mediterranean and Africa. The Woody will typically go to a shipyard in Croatia, but it has also circumnavigated Africa.
USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5), San Diego, California
Common Ports: Typically deployed to 7th fleet. Typical 7th fleet ports include Guam, Micronesia, Japan and Korea.
John L. Canley (ESB 6) - Homeport TBD
Robert E. Simanek (ESB 7), Homeport TBD
Hector A. Cafferata Jr. (ESB 8), Homeport TBD
What to Read Next
The maritime industry can be unpredictable. Missions, ports, policies and procedures frequently changes, and not having the most up to date information is frustrating. If something we wrote needs an update, or if we missed something important that should be added or highlighted, drop us a line via the form below and we will work to get the information updated as soon as possible! Safe sailing!