User:Marcd30319/USNS Lewis B. Puller (MLP-3/AFSB-1)

USNS Lewis B. Puller (MLP-3/AFSB-1) is the first purpose-built afloat forward staging base (AFSB) vessel for the United States Navy. It will be one of two ASBS variants of the U.S. Navy's planned fleet of Mobile Landing Platform vessels. When completed in 2015, Lewis B. Puller is slated to replace the USS Ponce (AFSB-(I)-15) currently operating with the U.S. Fifth Fleet in the Persian Gulf.

Background
Both Lewis B. Puller and its un-named sister ship (MLP-4) will differ significantly from the U.S. Navy first two Mobile Landing Platform support vessels, the USNS Montford Point (T-MLP-1) and USNS John Glenn (T-MLP-2), that facilitate the 'seabasing' of an amphibious landing force by acting as a floating base or transfer station that can be prepositioned off the target area. The Lewis B. Puller and MLP-4 serve as afloat forward staging bases (AFSB) to support special forces missions, counter-piracy/smuggling operations, maritime security operations, and mine clearance, as well as humanitarian aid and disaster relief missions. AFSB vessels support to such low-intensity missions, allowing more expensive, high-value amphibious ships and surface warship to be tasked for demanding operations. These AFSB variants are slated to operate in the Middle East and the Pacific Ocean. When commission in 2013, the USNS Lewis B. Puller will replace the USS Ponce (AFSB-(I)-15), the U.S. Navy's interim AFSB support ship.

Namesake
USNS Lewis B. Puller (MLP-3/AFSB-1) is named after Lieutenant General Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller, USMC. A distinguished combat veteran of World War II and the Korean War, Puller is one of the most, if not the most, decorated individual in the history of the United States Marine Corps.

Design feature
The overall design of the Lewis B. Puller was based on the hull of an civilian Alaska-class oil tanker. The Puller will be outfitted with facilities to support its mine warfare, special operations and other expeditionary missions. The ship will also carry an accommodation barge to support a complement of 298 personnel. Its landing deck has helicopter spots for two CH-53 helicopters, as well as deck space for two additional CH-53s. The Puller also has a helicopter hanger, ordnance storage magazine, underway replenishment facilities, and deck space for mission-related equipment storage.

Construction history
The keel-laying ceremony for the USNS Lewis B. Puller (MLP-3/AFSB-1) took place at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego, California, on 5 November 2013. The keel of the Puller was authenticated by Elizabeth Glueck, the wife of Lt. General Kenneth J. Glueck, Jr., the commanding general of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command.