Expeditionary sea base Miguel Keith commissioned by Navy 6 hours ago The Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary mobile base USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5) sits pierside during the ship’s commissioning ceremony. The Miguel Keith is the Navy’s third purpose-built expeditionary sea base. (MC2 Kevin Leitner/Navy) The Navy’s newest expeditionary sea base, the USS Miguel Keith, was commissioned Saturday in Coronado, California. Although expeditionary sea bases originally served as United States Naval Ships under Military Sealift Command, the Navy changed its policy and approved the commissioning of all ESBs. Doing so provides the ships with more mission flexibility while adhering to international law, the Navy said.
THE U.S. Navy on Saturday commissioned its newest expeditionary sea base vessel, the USS Miguel Keith, which will operate from Saipan.
The commissioning ceremony took place at 10 a.m. PST, May 8, at Naval Air Station North Island, Coronado, California.
Special Assistant to the Governor for Military Affairs Glenna Sakisat Palacios said based on the information provided to the CNMI, the USS Miguel Keith will be part of the Forward Deployed Naval Force operating from Saipan to âprovide logistics movement from sea to shore, supporting a broad range of humanitarian and military operations.â
Adm. Craig Faller, commander, U.S. Southern Command, delivered the commissioning ceremonyâs principal remarks.
Expeditionary sea base Miguel Keith commissioned by Navy May 11 The Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary mobile base USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5) sits pierside during the ship’s commissioning ceremony. The Miguel Keith is the Navy’s third purpose-built expeditionary sea base. (MC2 Kevin Leitner/Navy) The Navy’s newest expeditionary sea base, the USS Miguel Keith, was commissioned Saturday in Coronado, California. Although expeditionary sea bases originally served as United States Naval Ships under Military Sealift Command, the Navy changed its policy and approved the commissioning of all ESBs. Doing so provides the ships with more mission flexibility while adhering to international law, the Navy said.
Due to COVID-19 limitations, 50 guests were able to attend the ceremony for the ship named in honor of Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient Lance Cpl. Miguel Keith, who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam exactly 51 years to the day his namesake ship joined the fleet.
“This ship is named after an inspiring leader - a Marine,” said Adm. Craig S. Faller, Commander, U.S. Southern Command, who delivered the ceremony’s principal remarks. “Lt. Gen. Heckl ran through Miguel’s career and a more detailed action of that day. But can any of us truly imagine? Close your eyes for a minute and try to think. The sound of gunfire like the worst violent storm any of us have ever been through. The searing heat, suffocating humidity, the chaos, and confusion of battle. The smell of death and destruction. When many would have stepped back, Miguel stepped up. He led the charge courageously focused on his team above all else, and he made a difference. A difference that is continued today.�