Naval News asked the United States Special Operations Command what are their thoughts on the U.S. Navy’s Expeditionary Sea Bases (ESB).

Construction started on the fifth Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB), the future USS Robert E. Simanek (ESB 7), at General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (GD-NASSCO) in San Diego during a small ceremony, Dec. 1.

The U.S. Navy commissioned its newest Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) ship USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5) Saturday, May 8, at Naval Air Station North Island, Coronado, California.

MEDITERRANEAN SEA -- The Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) is conducting interoperability training with Special Operations Forces (SOF) assigned to Special Operations Command-Africa (SOCAF) in the Mediterranean Sea.

Leading boat launch and recovery systems supplier Vestdavit will deliver the most advanced motion-compensated davits in the world to the US Navy, following orders placed with Vestdavit Inc. by General Dynamics NASSCO to equip two Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) ships.

U.S. Army AH-64E Apache attack helicopters with 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, Heavy Attack Reconnaissance Squadron, conducted deck-landing qualifications (DLQ) aboard the expeditionary sea base USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3) from March 23-27 in the 5th Fleet area of operations.

U.S. Navy Expeditionary Sea Base ship USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3), assigned to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (USNAVCENT), has been conducting joint naval and air integration operations with U.S. Army AH-64E Apache attack helicopters assigned to U.S. Army Central Command’s (USARCENT) Task Force Saber, throughout the month of March.

The U.S. Navy commissioned the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel 'Woody' Williams (ESB 4) on March 7 in Norfolk, Virginia.

The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of its third Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) ship, USNS Miguel Keith (ESB 5) on Nov. 15.