autoevolution 10 May 2021, 15:43 UTC ·
by 7 photos
USS Miguel Keith, the Navy’s newest Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) ship, was commissioned during a restricted, yet emotional ceremony on Saturday, at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, California. Its inspiring motto, “Semper in Pugna”, meaning “Always in the Fight”, is perfectly in sync with the story behind the ship’s name.
Lance Cpl. Miguel Keith is a Marine Corps Vietnam veteran and Medal of Honor recipient, who served with the Combined Action Platoon 132, III Marine Amphibious Force, in Quang Ngai Province. Like the story of many U.S. Navy heroes, Miguel Keith’s journey culminated with a mortal wound that was transformed into a victorious ending.
US Navy Commissions USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5)
Maritime Activity Reports, Inc. May 10, 2021
The Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary mobile base USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5) sits pierside during the ship’s commissioning ceremony. (Photo: Kevin C. Leitner / U.S. Navy)
The U.S. Navy commissioned its newest Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) ship USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5) Saturday, at Naval Air Station North Island, Coronado, Calif.
Built by General Dynamics NASSCO, the 785-foot USS Miguel Keith is the third ESB variant of the Expeditionary Transfer Dock platform (ESD). Expeditionary Mobile Base was previously known as Afloat Forward Staging Base (AFSB) in the Mobile Landing Platform (MLP) program. ESBs are highly flexible platforms that provide logistics movement from sea to shore supporting a broad range of military operations. The ESB variant is designed around four core capabilities: aviation, berthing, equipment staging area, and command and control.
A native of Paris, Texas, is serving aboard one of the nationâs newest, most versatile warships, the future USS Miguel Keith (ESB-5).
Airman Apprentice Grant Sulsar is a 2019 North Lamar High School graduate. According to Sulsar, the values required to succeed in the Navy are like those found in Paris.
âI feel my hometown helped me be successful by teaching me the importance of being respectful,â Suslar said. âRespect goes both ways.â
Miguel Keith is an Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) ship that was to be commissioned by the U.S. Navy on May 8 in San Diego. Ship commissioning is a naval tradition that places a ship in active service.