Navy christens expeditionary sea base named after Marine Medal of Honor recipient By Diana Stancy Correll Jun 29, 07:04 AM

Expeditionary sea base John L. Canley, Military Sealift Command’s newest ship, is pictured at its christening ceremony at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego. (Navy)

Expeditionary sea base John L. Canley — named after Medal of Honor recipient Marine Sgt. Maj. John Canley — was christened Sunday in San Diego.

Military Sealift Command is slated to receive the expeditionary sea base in 2022 to undergo testing and qualifications for a variety of maritime operations, including aviation mine countermeasure and special operations force missions.

The 784-foot 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). It is outfitted with 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 maneuver 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.”