- USS Lewis B. Puller denies being hit by Houthi rebels in Yemen, contradicting their claims of attack on January 29.
- Two Navy SEALs died during boarding operation originating from the Puller last month.
- Puller serves as a unique expeditionary sea base, designed to support military operations and counter Houthi attacks on commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea.
Additional Coverage:
- Take a look at the tanker-like warship the US has used as a floating Navy SEAL base (businessinsider.com)
The USS Lewis B. Puller, an expeditionary sea base stationed in the Arabian Sea, has been in the spotlight recently. Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed to have hit the Puller on January 29, but U.S. officials denied this. Additionally, last month, two Navy SEALs died during a boarding operation that originated from the Puller.
The Puller is designed to support a range of military operations, including those involving Navy SEALs. It was deployed to the Arabian Sea in response to attacks on commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea by Houthi rebels, an Iranian-backed militant group in Yemen. The ship has a unique design, with an open-sided hangar space under its flight deck.
The Puller is named after Lt. Gen. Lewis “Chesty” B. Puller, the most decorated Marine in history. He served for 37 years and fought in campaigns during World War II and the Korean War. The Puller is the lead ship in the Navy’s Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) ship class and the first purpose-built mobile base vessel. It has a large deck capable of landing transport aircraft like the MV-22 Osprey and CH-53 Super Stallion.
In 2017, the Puller became the first U.S. ship to be commissioned outside of America. It is specifically designed for low-intensity missions and can operate in close proximity to adversaries. The ship has an operational range of 9,500 nautical miles and can travel at a speed of 15 knots.
The Puller features a spacious flight deck, a mission deck, and a hangar. It can accommodate up to 250 personnel and operates on a rotational model with two alternating crews. The ship has been involved in various operations, such as seizing ammunition from a fishing trawler and participating in counter-narcotics missions.
The Puller’s crew conducts training exercises, including live-fire exercises and combat marksmanship training. The ship plays a crucial role in honing the warfighting skills of Marines and other personnel. It provides a platform for vessel boarding training and allows for small boat operations.
The USS Lewis B. Puller represents a revolutionary concept in naval operations. It enhances operational flexibility for the 5th Fleet and serves as an expeditionary sea base for maritime security operations in the region. Vice Adm. Donegan, commander of Naval Forces Central Command, emphasized the ship’s importance in meeting the evolving security challenges in the region.
Read More About This Story:
- Take a look at the tanker-like warship the US has used as a floating Navy SEAL base (businessinsider.com)