Special Operations Force News

The U.S. Navy commissioned its newest Expeditionary Sea Base, USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4), during a ceremony Saturday, March 7, in Norfolk, Va.USS Hershel “Woody” Williams is optimized to support a variety of maritime-based missions and designed around four core capabilities: aviation facilities, berthing, equipment staging support, and command and control assets. ESBs can be enhanced to meet special operations force missions through increased communications, aviation and unmanned aircraft system support.Built by General Dynamics NASSCO…

The Navy accepted delivery of USNS Miguel Keith (T-ESB-5), the expeditionary sea base that was damaged while under construction when its dry dock flooded in July 2018 and subsequently set back by about six months.Delivery marks the official transfer of the ship from the shipbuilder to the Navy. The Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) 5 will be owned and operated by Military Sealift Command."The Navy and industry team overcame significant setbacks in the construction of this ship, and I'm extremely proud of the urgency and determination displayed on everyone's part to deliver a high-quality ship that will support our operational requirements in the 7th Fleet area of operations," said Capt. Scot Searles, Strategic Sealift and Theater Sealift program manager, Program Executive Office Ships.

Task Force 70 Public Affairs (NNS) - The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group arrived in Busan for a port visit, Oct. 21. The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) with embarked staff of Commander, Task Force (CTF) 70, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 staff and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, and the guided-missile destroyers USS Stethem (DDG 63) and USS Chafee (DDG 90) pulled into Busan after participating in Maritime Counter Special Operations Force Exercise (MCSOFEX) 2017. The focus of the bilateral training exercise was to increase the readiness of U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) forces and maintain stability on the Korean Peninsula. Shuttle tankers differ from “standard” crude oil tankers.

Lockheed Martin Corp., – Maritime Systems & Sensors, Baltimore, Md., is being awarded a contract for LCS FY09 Flight 0+ ship construction, class design services, configuration management services, additional crew and shore support, special studies and post delivery support. As this award represents Phase I of a competitive two-phased acquisition approach to procure FY09/FY10 LCS, with Phase II including potential award of up to three additional LCS Flight 0+ Class ships, the award amount is considered source selection information (see FAR 2.101 and 3.104) and will not be made public at this time. LCS Class ships are networked, agile, and high-speed surface combatants with versatile warfighting capabilities optimized for littoral missions.

Lockheed Martin Corp. – Maritime Systems & Sensors, Baltimore, Md. is being awarded a modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-03-C-2311) for LCS program continuation efforts necessary to preserve production capability at its industry team shipyard facility. As this award represents efforts integrally related to Phase I of a competitive two-phased acquisition approach to procure FY09/FY10 LCS, with Phase II including potential award of up to three additional LCS Flight 0+ Class ships, the award amount is considered source selection information (see FAR 2.101 and 3.104) and will not be made public at this time. LCS Class ships are networked, agile, and high-speed surface combatants with versatile warfighting capabilities optimized for littoral missions.

USS Ohio (SSGN 726) departed from Naval Base (NB) Kitsap, Bremerton delta pier for her maiden deployment as a guided-missile submarine, Oct. 14. Ohio was recently converted from a ballistic missile submarine to a guided-missile submarine and was the first of four in its class to undergo the conversion. "Today is a very special day for the Sailors on board the USS Ohio and this marks a major installment for the nation," said Rear Adm. Frank M. Drennan, commander Submarine Group TRIDENT. In December, Ohio completed its conversion to a guided-missile submarine and is now capable of hauling more than 150 Tomahawk cruise missiles and more than 60 special operations force members for extended periods of time.

Special Warfare Boat Operators (SB) from Special Boat Team 20 (SBT-20) reached a milestone on March 28 when they successfully completed the 100th and 101st insertion of the Maritime Craft Aerial Deployment System (MCADS) off the coast of North Carolina. Serving as a true force multiplier, the MCADS capability enables Naval Special Warfare Sailors to rapidly deploy anywhere in the world in a maritime environment. The system deploys an 11-meter RIB (rigid inflatable boat) rigged with four large parachutes from the back of a C-130 or C-17 at approximately 3,500-feet. Approximately four Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen (SWCC) immediately follow the boat out of the plane and parachute to the immediate proximity of where the boat lands.

submarine, took a significant step towards rejoining the fleet on Dec. sweep of its initial sea trials. The Ohio's Commanding Officer, Cmdr. with the ship's performance and noted its great potential. demonstrating the tremendous capability this ship brings to the fleet. options in the Navy," said Rear. Adm. Officer for Submarines. converted into SSGNs. USS Georgia (SSGN 729), are all slated to rejoin the fleet by 2007. Trident Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles. cruise missiles, for a maximum load of 154 missiles per boat. (SOF) lock-in/lock-out chambers. up to 66 SOF operators for an extended period of time. ranges for use by the operators. the lock-in/lock-out chambers as their docking sites. of missions," said Capt. David Norris, SSGN Program Manager (PMS 398).

Northrop Grumman Corporation has been awarded a $4 million contract by the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) for the development and integration of lithium-ion battery technology for the U.S. Special Operations Force's new Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS). Work on the ASDS battery system is being developed in conjunction with Alliant Techsystems, Inc. of Horsham, Pa. The ASDS, which is a mini-submarine intended to clandestinely carry Navy SEAL teams and their combat gear to and from hostile shores, is designed and built by Northrop Grumman's Oceanic & Naval Systems business unit. This first-of-its-kind system is transported to a mission area atop an attack-class nuclear submarine…