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HMS Astute said:

US State Department confirmed the crew of USS DONALD COOK were highly demoralized and the many sailors also resigned after this happened. ...

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State Daily press Briefing Apr 16 2014 said:

QUESTION: Yeah, sorry.

MS. HARF: No one wants to sit up front today.

QUESTION: But I did want to ask about the – this Donald Cook incident in the Black Sea.

MS. HARF: Uh-huh.

QUESTION: Has the U.S. launched a protest against the Russians?

MS. HARF: So it is my understanding that the Department of Defense actually will be taking the lead on diplomatic response to this.

QUESTION: Okay.

MS. HARF: I’m not sure if it’s actually happened yet. It’s my understanding it will be.

QUESTION: Is that how it generally goes? Does the – does DOD --

MS. HARF: That’s my understanding. Obviously, we have different diplomatic mechanisms to communicate with countries, and it’s my understanding that’s how this message is being sent. I’m not sure there’s anything typical about anything that’s happening here.

QUESTION: (Off-mike) yesterday the Pentagon said that the State Department was taking up the issue --

MS. HARF: Yeah, I know --

QUESTION: -- (inaudible) take up the issues with the Russians.

MS. HARF: I’ve talked to my colleagues at the Department of Defense, and we’re all trying to figure out how we’re responding, and the latest I have from them is that the Department of Defense will be responding, obviously in close coordination with us, but I think we were trying to figure out the mechanism through which to do that.

QUESTION: But will Secretary be taking up the issue when he meets Lavrov?

MS. HARF: I’m not sure. I don’t have anything to preview specifically about his conversation. We’ll see if it comes up.

QUESTION: And how best do you describe your relationship with Russia right now?

QUESTION: Stellar.

MS. HARF: (Laughter.) I think it’s complicated. I think that there are still places we work together. We were in Vienna a week and a half ago for the P5+1 EU talks on Iran, and it was business as usual. But that’s because it’s something the Russians care about – preventing a nuclear-armed Iran – and it’s something we care about. On Syria CW, we’ve reached I think now 65 or 70 percent of the stuff being taken out of Syria. We’re working with the Russians on that. But I don’t think anyone would be surprised that the events of the last weeks and months have really been hard for the relationship, and that’s why we’ve made very clear that this action can’t stand and that we will continue to take steps against Russia if they continue this activity. But it’s a complicated relationship.

QUESTION: Thank you.

QUESTION: Can I just --

MS. HARF: Not stellar, as Matt said.

QUESTION: Well, I was being sarcastic.

MS. HARF: I know.

QUESTION: You mentioned in a response to someone earlier that you can’t let the Russian view be the last word, and that’s why --

MS. HARF: Yeah.

QUESTION: Is – so it’s the Administration’s position that the Russian view is not an interpretation of facts on the ground, but a just blatant distortion and lie?

MS. HARF: I was talking about the propaganda.

QUESTION: Well, I --

MS. HARF: I’m not necessarily talking about the view they put forward in diplomatic settings.

QUESTION: Right. But what they’re saying, what they’re putting out on social media or whatever and press releases and that kind of thing, you don’t view as their interpretation of facts on the ground; rather, you view it as a distortion --

MS. HARF: Propaganda, mm-hmm.

QUESTION: -- and a lie?

MS. HARF: Well, it may be their view, but it also is a distortion.

QUESTION: But it’s incorrect?

MS. HARF: Correct.

QUESTION: It is just not factual?

MS. HARF: Well, I don’t want to say every single word they’ve said about everything --

QUESTION: Okay.

MS. HARF: -- but in general, the narrative they are propagating about what’s happening there is not in line with what we think is the reality there, correct.

QUESTION: Well, what you think is the reality or what actually is the reality? Because their – this is what I’m trying to get at.

MS. HARF: Okay.

QUESTION: Your position is that what the U.S. Government is saying about the situation on the ground in Ukraine is factual --

MS. HARF: Correct.

QUESTION: -- without any distortion, and what the – and what --

QUESTION: In part because that’s based on what the Ukrainians themselves are saying about what’s happening in their country.

QUESTION: Okay. Right. And what the Russians are saying about the situation on the ground you think is --

MS. HARF: Is a distortion of reality.

QUESTION: Okay. I just wanted to make sure.

QUESTION: Let me ask you specifically --

MS. HARF: Yeah.

QUESTION: -- on something we’ve been hearing not just once now, but Russia is saying that Ukraine is on the brink of civil war. Is that something you view as a distortion?

MS. HARF: Yes. And I would say, in response to that, that any destabilization that’s going on inside Ukraine right now is a direct result of Russian action there. So it’s ironic to me that they seem concerned about the stability of Ukraine when they’re the ones trying to destabilize massive parts of it.

QUESTION: Right, but if you take – if you accept – if we are to accept your line that what you say is correct and everything the Russians are saying is false, or most --

MS. HARF: I didn’t say everything, I said the narrative.

QUESTION: Well, but when they say that Ukraine is on the brink of civil war, even if they’re responsible for it being on the brink of civil war, it’s not --

MS. HARF: I wouldn’t say they’re on the brink of civil war.

QUESTION: Even with --

MS. HARF: I said destabilization.

QUESTION: Even with the --

MS. HARF: Uh-huh.

QUESTION: So even with all the Russian destabilization and provocation, you do not believe – the Administration does not see Ukraine as on the brink of civil war?

MS. HARF: I haven’t heard anyone use that term.

QUESTION: Well, but if you look at what a civil war is, it’s like one sector of the population fighting another or often the government in itself.

MS. HARF: Mm-hmm.

QUESTION: And are you saying that all the people who are fighting against the Ukrainian Government are not Ukrainian, but Russian?

MS. HARF: No, I didn’t say that. Uh-uh. I said Russia is fomenting instability in parts of the Ukraine.

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Brent Hartley Deputy Assistant Secretary said:

Reassuring NATO Allies and Partners on the Frontlines

First, we are pursuing measures, through NATO and bi-laterally, to reassure our Allies and partners in the region and in particular to demonstrate our solemn commitment to our collective defense responsibilities to our NATO Allies. As President Obama said before his meeting with Secretary General Rasmussen in Brussels last month: “We have to have the resources and the preparation to make sure that every member of NATO feels confident in Article 5’s effect.” Following Russia’s illegal annexation and occupation of the Crimea region of Ukraine, the United States and its Allies in NATO undertook immediate steps to provide visible reassurance to Allies in Central and Eastern Europe.

We deployed 6 additional F-15s to the Baltic Air Policing mission. We added 12 additional F-16s, three C-130s and 200 additional U.S. personnel to the U.S.-Poland Aviation Training Detachment in Lask, Poland. NATO deployed AWACS to provide aerial surveillance over Poland and Romania. The United States deployed the USS TRUXTUN and later the USS DONALD COOK to the Black Sea for exercises. The USS TAYLOR is there now.

On April 16, NATO Allies agreed on additional measures to provide reassurance and demonstrate NATO’s resolve and solidarity. As Secretary General Rasmussen said, this will mean “more planes in the air, more ships on the water, and more readiness on land.”

The tangible impact of this decision can already be seen on the ground in Europe. The U.S. Army Europe is deploying forces to NATO frontline states at their request to conduct expanded U.S. land force training. On April 23rd, a company-sized contingent of U.S. paratroopers arrived in Poland to begin exercises with Polish troops. This exercise will be the first in a series of expanded U.S. Army land force training activities in the region that will take place at least through the end of this year. Additional companies have moved to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia for similar exercises. These events are in addition to previously scheduled multinational land force military exercises in the region aimed at assuring regional allies of the U.S. unwavering commitment to NATO.

We are committed, along with NATO Allies, to maintain a persistent rotational presence in frontline NATO states to reassure our Allies and prepare for any contingency to meet our Article 5 obligations. The United States is doing its part and Allies are stepping up as well. Now more than ever it is incumbent upon all NATO members to contribute actively and equitably to the assets of the Alliance.

The United States is preparing for the NATO Summit in Wales in September. It will be an opportunity to reassess the alliance’s long term priorities in the wake of Russia’s aggressive actions in Ukraine, ensure an enhanced presence along NATO members’ borders through the employment of land, sea and air capabilities and reaffirm NATO’s Open Door policy under Article 10 of the Washington Treaty remains a bedrock principle of the Alliance.

As part of this work, we will renew our efforts to encourage Allies to reverse the downward trend in their defense spending to make them more capable of contributing to the growing needs of the Alliance. Both the President during his March visit to Brussels and Secretary Kerry at the April 1-2 NATO Foreign Ministerial meeting underscored the need for Allies to step up their defense spending, especially on priority capabilities, and this issue will continue to be a key priority in the run-up to the NATO summit in Wales.

Beyond NATO’s borders, we are engaged with other frontline states like Georgia and Moldova who have also come under pressure as a result of Russia’s illegal use of force in the region. The United States continues to support Georgia's efforts to build a consensus within NATO for offering Georgia a Membership Action Plan. And Assistant Secretary Nuland and senior DoD officials traveled to Moldova in recent weeks. Both states plan to sign Association Agreements with the EU by June. We welcome both countries’ progress toward deeper European integration and are in consultation with both to intensify our political and economic assistance.

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Frank A. Rose Deputy Assistant Secretary said:

European Phased Adaptive Approach
Moving on, I would like to take a few moments to discuss the implementation of the President’s European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA) to missile defense. In 2009, when the President announced the EPAA, he noted that the EPAA will “provide stronger, smarter, and swifter defenses of American forces and America's Allies,” while relying on “capabilities that are proven and cost-effective.” And since then, we have been working hard to implement his vision—and we have made great progress in doing so. Earlier this month, President Obama noted in Poland that we are “on track” with the EPAA.

Phase 1 of the EPAA gained its first operational elements in 2011 with the start of a sustained deployment of an Aegis BMD-capable multi-role ship to the Mediterranean and the deployment of an AN/TPY-2 radar in Turkey. With the declaration of Interim BMD Capability at the NATO Summit in Chicago in May 2012, this radar transitioned to NATO operational control. As part of Phase 1, Spain agreed in 2011 to host four U.S. Aegis BMD-capable ships at the existing naval facility at Rota as a Spanish contribution to NATO missile defense, demonstrating its commitment to NATO’s collective defense. In February 2014, the first of four of these ships, USS Donald Cook, arrived in Rota. The next ship, USS Ross, is on its way now. The remaining two will deploy to Rota next year. In addition to their roles in NATO BMD, these ships will conduct maritime security operations, humanitarian missions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral training exercises, and they will support U.S. and NATO operations. By stationing these naval assets in Spain, we are placing them in a position to maximize their operational flexibility for missions in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.

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Ramping up missions yields more port calls for crews
By David Larter, Staff writer 4:42 p.m. EDT August 14, 2014
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(Photo: MC1 Collin Turner , Navy )
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The crew of the cruiser Vella Gulf is getting very good at transiting the Turkish Straits into the Black Sea.

The ship has been in the troubled region three times in the past few months — a frequency that harkens back to the Cold War. Since the fall of the Soviet Union and the first Gulf War over two decades ago, 6th Fleet for most sailors meant a sunny Mediterranean port or two on the way to the Middle East, unless a crisis intervened.

But with the ballistic missile defense mission ramping up for more ships and in the face of a confrontational Russia, the once calm 6th Fleet is back on the front page — and it's likely to mean a lot more time in Europe for sailors.

Since deploying in March, Vella Gulf has been all over the Med. One Vella Gulf crew member even paraphrased a classic Navy recruiting slogan to sum up his feelings before deployment.

"This is an awesome opportunity to serve our great country and see the world at the same time," Ship's Serviceman 3rd Class Zackery Schrock said in a Navy release.

And see the world they have. Vella Gulf's port visits include old standbys like gorgeous Souda Bay, Greece, and exotic locales such as Varna, Bulgaria; Constanta, Romania; and Kusadasi, Turkey.

The Vella Gulf isn't alone. The destroyer Truxtun also pulled into Varna and the destroyer Donald Cook pulled into Constanta. The frigate Taylor pulled into the Georgian seaside resort town of Batumi.

Turkey, in particular, has been welcoming lots of sailors. Istanbul, Aksaz, Bodrum and Antayla have all hosted ships in the past 12 months. Some other recent Med ports include: Palma, Spain; Haifa, Israel; Toulon, France; Piraeus,Greece; and Limassol, Cyprus.

Ships plying the Med's waters are increasingly likely to hit ports that, just months ago, were off the beaten path, as U.S. ships deepen ties to allies in an unsettled region.

Missions ramping up

These patrols aren't pleasure cruises, to be sure.

The Pentagon recently stepped up presence in the Mediterranean. In May, the destroyer Ross, with the latest AEGIS upgrades, left Norfolk to be the second of four destroyers to shift home port to Rota, Spain.

The ballistic missile defense destroyers are part of the missile shield intended to protect Europe and Israel from intermediate-range nuclear weapons. While U.S. officials say the threat primarily comes from Iran, the shield has the Russians concerned.

Ross joined the Donald Cook and will be followed by Porter and Carney next year. The plan calls for those destroyers to go on patrol every four months, followed by four months of down time for stand-down, training and maintenance.

The cruises have been busy and eventful. On its first patrol, the Donald Cook found itself in the middle of an international incident in April when a Russian SU-24 fighter jet buzzed over the destroyer at close range a dozen or so times, generating angry reactions from Pentagon leaders.

"This provocative and unprofessional Russian action is inconsistent with international protocols and previous agreements on the professional interaction between our militaries," Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren said in an April release.

In May, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jon Greenert said the Russians had made a standard practice of shadowing warships in the Black Sea, but that most of the rivals' interactions had been professional.

But the Cook had plenty of fun as well. During its first month-and-a-half, the destroyer pulled into Souda Bay and Rhodes in Greece, Augusta Bay in Sicily, and Romania.

Besides hitting exotic ports and steaming near Russian ships, sailors have been spending time training allies in the region.

The Vella Gulf recently met up with Bulgarian, Italian, Greek and Turkish forces there for the Bulgarian-led annual exercise, Breeze. Truxtun and Taylor also spent time training Bulgarian and Romanian forces.

The heightened presence in and near the Black Sea isn't an accident, said retired Capt. Thomas Fedyszyn, a former cruiser skipper and now a professor at the Naval War College.

"I get to that part of the world a lot — Romania, Bulgaria, Georgia, Azerbaijan," he said. "The countries that are not closely aligned with Russia or radical Islamic groups really want to see the United States military presence."

'Arc of instability'

Fedyszyn said Russia's 2008 invasion of Georgia served as a wake-up call in the region for countries that want to stay autonomous, and since then those countries have sought closer ties with the U.S. military.

"We look at 2008 in Georgia as a classic case where the United States was on the right side, but simply had no wherewithal to do anything," he said. "And there are leaders in these countries who think that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin did what he did because he made a calculated bet that the United States had nothing and would do nothing. ... So the local leaders want to see us more."

The combination of Russian aggression in Georgia and Ukraine, where it recently annexed the Crimean Peninsula and is believed to be fueling an armed rebellion in eastern Ukraine, and the winding down of the wars in the Middle East should push the Navy to focus more on Europe, Fedyszyn said.

If it doesn't, the U.S. risks the possibility of letting a newly expanded Russian Black Sea Fleet gain ascendency in the Mediterranean, he said.

"An aircraft carrier hasn't been in the Med, simply to be in the Med, in maybe 10 years," he said. "An aircraft carrier transits the Med in order to get to the [Persian] Gulf. We should rethink our national priorities."

Dan Gouré, a national security analyst with the Lexington Institute, agreed that the U.S. should devote more forces to 6th Fleet.

"The 6th Fleet [area of responsibility] is the new arc of instability in the world," he said. "It runs from North Africa, Libya and Tunisia, goes all around the Near East and Syria to Turkey and up through the Black Sea. Wherever your gaze lands, there is a crisis.

"Everyone wants to focus on 7th Fleet and what's going on there, but the immediate danger is all in 6th Fleet; that's where the shooting is."

And that's something of which skippers are fully aware. In a May interview with Navy Times, destroyer Ross' commanding officer said he's been telling his crew to be ready for anything.

"This is a point I've been trying to drive home, that it may not be as predictable as they think because of the state of the region," said Cmdr. Tadd Gorman as the ship transited to its new home in Rota. "We might come back from patrol and have to get underway the next week to go shoot Tomahawks in the Eastern Med. You just never know."

Exotic liberty ports

Varna, Bulgaria

Who's gone: In the past 13 months, the destroyer Truxtun and the cruiser Vella Gulf have pulled into Bulgaria's best port. In general, it's on the table for ballistic missile defense ships and for independent deployers in the Black Sea. It's also an option for some airmen.

When and why: Bulgaria, once considered a Soviet satellite state, is a European Union member and NATO ally. Ties are deepening between Bulgaria and NATO as Russia becomes more assertive. Sailors in Varna are often there as part of NATO exercises.

About the area: Varna is one of the largest cities in Bulgaria and has a population of about 500,000. It's located along the western coast of the Black Sea.

Activities: Varna's Archeological Museum will tickle your inner pirate: It contains the world's oldest gold treasure with artifacts dating to 4750 B.C., and some of the artifacts are even older. You can also visit the Maritime Museum and browse through a hodgepodge of Soviet-era military equipment. Check out the steakhouse Di Wine, the top-rated restaurant in the city.

Watch out for: Bulgaria is a pretty safe place, but be wary of pickpockets and people looking to make you a "fast friend." Talk to your command about reasonable taxi fares. Cabbies have been known rip off foreigners.

Bring back some: Bulgaria is one of the world's leading producers of rose oil, which, as you can guess, smells nice. But if that isn't your scene and your command allows it on the ship, rakia is a popular fruit-infused brandy. The usual flavors include plum and apricot.

Constanta, Romania

Who's gone: The most notable U.S. military official to visit Constanta was Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, who dropped by the cruiser Vella Gulf during one of its trips to the Black Sea in June. Donald Cook also made a stop in Constanta during its inaugural BMD patrol.

When and why: Romania is another former Warsaw Pact country turned NATO ally. It shares a border with Ukraine and has held military demonstrations during the crisis, including naval exercises.

About the area: Romania is a topographically diverse nation and the home of vampire lore. Constanta is the country's largest port and is located 200 miles from the Bosphorus Strait.

Activities: The ancient town was a commercial center in the 7th century. The city boasts Roman mosaics, and you can see the remains of aqueducts and Roman baths. You might enjoy the Romanian Navy Museum, which covers more than 2,000 years of Black Sea maritime tradition. The nearby resort of Mamaia boasts plenty of entertainment.

Watch out for: Common sense is your ally in Romania. Crime rates are low, but fights at clubs and bars sometimes break out. Watch out for kids rooting in your back pocket; consider using cash instead of credit cards because fraud is a widespread problem.

Bring back some: Vampire kitsch. There is plenty of it in Romania, and it's not for Romanians, it's for you. Romania is also famous for textiles and embroidery. The local beverage is called tuica, a plum liqueur that runs about 40 to 45 percent alcohol.

Batumi, Georgia

Who's gone: Batumi has been an occasional port call for sailors since 2008. The frigate Taylor, the command ship Mount Whitney and the destroyer Bulkeley have all made stops in the past 12 months.

When and why: In 2008, Russia invaded two Georgian regions on its border in support of separatist movements. The regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia are still occupied by Russian troops, a move the U.S. sees as illegal. Russia also maintained a base in Batumi until 2007. Since the escalation of tensions with Russia, sailors have been seeing more of Georgia.

About the area: Georgia is on the eastern Black Sea near the Caucasus Mountains.

Activities: Georgia has invested millions to develop Batumi into a hip resort town since the Russians evacuated. The usual mix of casinos and nightclubs can be found there but also a range of great restaurants. The Batumis Bulvari is the boardwalk, lined with cafes, restaurants and beach bars. There is also an art museum and a few gardens, including one called 6 May Park that dates back to the 19th century.

Watch out for: Keep a low profile in Georgia and say alert. The capital city of Tbilisi has endured bomb attacks and other terrorist activities in recent years. Beyond this, make sure you take the same precautions you would in any major city. (Note: Don't toast using beer, as that is reserved for enemies.)

Bring back some: Georgian wine is supposedly quite good, so try a bottle. Gold and jewelry is cheap in Georgia, so be on the lookout for good buys.

Istanbul, Turkey

Who's gone: Amphibious command ship Mount Whitney and the destroyer Ramage are the most recent ships to visit the ancient city of Istanbul in early 2014. The Navy's top officer, Adm. Jon Greenert, visited Turkish Navy leaders in Istanbul in 2012.

When and why: Istanbul, formerly Constantinople, is located on the Bosphorus Strait, the gateway to the Black Sea. The old capital of the Byzantine empire, it sits at the entrance of one of history's most important choke points and is no less important today.

About the area: The Northern coast of Turkey makes up the entire southern border of the Black Sea.

Activities: If you love history, you've arrived at your dream destination. The Hagia Sophia is one of the oldest and grandest churches in the world, commissioned by Emperor Justinian and completed in 537. The Grand Bazaar is a massive, 2,000-shop market that has been a fixture of life in Istanbul since the 15th century, after it was conquered by the Ottoman Empire.

Watch out for: Turkey borders Iraq and Syria, putting it in an unstable part of the world. The State Department warns the risk of terrorism is real and that visitors should act accordingly. For all that, street crime is relatively low, but exercise caution.

Bring back some: Turkish delight confections, ceramics, carpets (make sure they are made in Turkey) and a water pipe for the smoke break.

Souda Bay, Greece

Who's gone: Souda Bay is home to a NATO base and has been a standard Mediterranean cruise port for years. Donald Cook, Truxtun, Stout, Vella Gulf and the joint high-speed vessel Spearhead have all made recent stops there.

When and why: Souda Bay has significant support facilities, so if you have an engine problem on the way over the pond, Souda is a likely destination for you. When the frigate Taylor ran aground, damaging its propeller, it was towed there from the Black Sea for repairs.

About the area: Souda Bay is on Crete, Greece's largest island.

Activities: Souda boasts beautiful seascapes, and nearby Chania is the second largest city on Crete. You can visit the Venetian lighthouse, enjoy the cafes and restaurants or take a day trip to hike the 10-mile Samariá Gorge on the other side of the island. There are a number of bars and clubs, but keep an eye on your watch if you have an early liberty expiration — clubs keep rocking until 6 a.m.

Watch out for: The normal warning against pickpockets applies here. Also, be careful about using ATMs. Try to only use cash machines inside a bank or a hotel, because card skimming scams are not uncommon. Sex assault is a threat, so don't drink too much or leave your cocktail unattended.

Bring back some: Olive oil, honey and raki — an unsweetened white liquor flavored with anise. (Think sambuca, without the sugar.)

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http://www.voltairenet.org/article185860.html said:

This article was first published by Voltairenet in other languages in September 2014.

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According to some specialized media, 27 sailors from the USS Donald Cook requested to be relieved from active service.

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Jura said:

can you provide a link with such a statement made by the US State Department (and not by bloggers?

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HMS Astute said:

I also like to know how the US is going to respond to Russian provocation in it's backyard. Should the USAF send in a fleet consists of at least 8x F22 to patrol and unnerve those rusty bears when they come near florida or california?

Russian bombers to patrol Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico

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Equation said:

I would like to see them (Russian) try. Cold War II here we come. Let's see who bankrupts the other guy first? I got my money on the US.

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Jeff Head said:

...

Does anyone remember seeing the pictures of the SU-24s? If I recall, I do not remember even seeing jamming/electronic pods on the aircraft at all.

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•The US Navy's third Mobile Landing Platform - and the first one configured as an afloat forward staging base - has been launched
•Lewis B Puller is expected to deliver in 2015 and deploy in 2016 to the Gulf to replace USS Ponce

The future USNS Lewis B Puller (MLP 3), the first Afloat Forward Staging Base (AFSB) variant of the US Navy's Mobile Landing Platform (MLP), has been floated out from the shipyard of General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Co (NASSCO) in San Diego, California.

An adaptation of the original MLP design - which was used for the first two MLPs that have already been delivered by NASSCO - the AFSB variant has been modified to serve as a dedicated forward-deployed staging platform with additional flight deck facilities, berthing, fuel storage, equipment storage, and repair spaces. Design changes introduced to support the AFSB tasking will allow for additional missions such as airborne mine countermeasures support (with flight deck operating spots and hangar space for two MH-53 helicopters plus deck space for four Mk 105 minesweeping sleds) and special forces missions (with additional berthing space providing for a 250-strong military detachment).

In June 2013, NASSCO was awarded an USD11.2 million contract to develop the detail design for AFSB modifications to support construction of MLP 3 and MLP 4.

The contract option for the construction of MLP 3 was exercised by the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) in February 2012, with NASSCO beginning construction in February 2013. In March 2014, NAVSEA awarded NASSCO an additional USD128.5 million contract for detail design and construction efforts to convert MLP 3 to an AFSB variant.

Lewis B Puller completed launch and float-off at the NASSCO yard on 6 November 2014. The ship will now complete construction and sea trials prior to delivery in 2015. It is expected that Lewis B Puller will deploy to the Gulf theatre in the 2016 timeframe to replace USS Ponce , the current interim AFSB operating in the region.

Delivery of MLP 4, funded in the fiscal year 2014 budget, is slated for 2017. In June 2014, NAVSEA exercised a USD64 million contract option with NASSCO to provide for long lead material for MLP 4, allowing for the advance procurement of ship power and propulsion equipments, the integrated bridge system, and communications equipment.

COMMENT

As an Afloat Forward Staging Base (AFSB), Lewis B Puller is significantly different from the USN's first two MLP vessels, USNS Montford Point (MLP 1) and USNS John Glenn (MLP 2). These first two ships are designed to support the offshore transfer of vehicles and cargo between large sealift ships and Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) surface connectors, and are configured to receive and operate with a 'Core Capability Set' - including a vehicle transfer ramp, a raised vehicle deck, and LCAC lanes - manufactured by Vigor Marine in Portland, Oregon.

Lewis B Puller - converted to an AFSB configuration while under construction at NASSCO - will be able to support flight operations and house up to 250 troops. The hope is that an AFSB would help alleviate the navy's amphibious ships of missions such as training, theatre security co-operation, and maritime security engagements, thus allowing the 'gray hull' warships to remain integrated as amphibious ready groups for national tasking.

According to the USN's Theatre and Strategic Sealift programme manager Captain Henry Stevens, a second AFSB - MLP 4, which was undergoing contract negotiations in August - is expected to be built from the keel up as an AFSB variant. A fifth MLP, also to be configured as an AFSB, is planned for acquisition in FY 2017.

While the AFSB variant does not have a hovercraft mission, the vessel still retains ballasting capability, Capt Stevens noted.

Lewis B Puller is expected to be ready for handover in September 2015. Upon delivery, the vessel will undergo trials, to include operational testing as the first AFSB variant.

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