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Naval
Forces News - USA |
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General Dynamics NASSCO Lays Keel of MLP-3 in AFSB Configuration |
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General
Dynamics NASSCO hosted a keel laying ceremony for the USNS Lewis B.
Puller, the third ship in the Mobile Landing Platform (MLP) class. The
ship is named in honor of Lewis B. Puller, the most decorated U.S. Marine
in history and the only one to be awarded five Navy Crosses. Mrs. Elizabeth
Glueck was the honoree for the keel-laying ceremony. She is the wife
of Lieutenant General Kenneth J. Glueck, Jr., deputy commandant for
Combat Development and Integration; commanding general, Marine Corps
Combat Development Command; and commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces
Strategic Command.
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The Military Sealift Command mobile landing platform ship USNS Montford
Point (MLP 1)
(U.S. Navy photo)
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The Navy's
second MLP, John Glenn, had its keel laid in December, with completion
and delivery expected in March 2014.
The MLP class of modular, flexible ships belongs to MSC's Maritime Prepositioning
Force as a mobile sea-base option that provides our Navy fleet with
critical afloat capability, supporting the flexible deployment of forces
and supplies. Contract mariners will operate and navigate the MLP ships
on behalf of the Navy and Marine Corps. |
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An artist concept of a mobile landing platform (MLP) ship in Afloat
Forward Staging Base (AFSB) configuration
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Mrs.
Glueck validated the ship’s keel by welding her initials onto
a steel plate which will be permanently affixed to the ship, remaining
with the vessel throughout its time in service.
MLP-3 is the first ship of the class to be configured as an Afloat Forward
Staging Base (AFSB). Delivery is scheduled for the second quarter of
2015.
“This third Mobile Landing Platform ship, configured as an AFSB,
will provide significant new capability to the Navy and Marine Corps’
Maritime Prepositioning Force,” said Fred Harris, president of
General Dynamics NASSCO. “The NASSCO team will continue to efficiently
build and deliver these ships to help strengthen the forward presence
of the Navy.”
The MLP AFSB is a flexible platform and a key element in the Navy’s
large-scale airborne mine countermeasure mission. The ship is designed
to facilitate a wide variety of future mission sets in support of special
operations. With accommodations for 250 personnel and a huge helicopter
flight deck, the MLP AFSB will provide a highly capable and affordable
asset to the Navy and Marine Corps. |
