US Navy accepts delivery of final expeditionary sea base

The US Navy has officially taken delivery of its final expeditionary sea base (ESB), the 784-foot USNS Hector A. Cafferata Jr., during a ceremony in San Diego on August 25, 2026. Built by General Dynamics NASSCO, the vessel follows the successful completion of integrated sea trials earlier this summer.

Named in honor of US Marine Corps Private Hector A. Cafferata Jr., a Medal of Honor recipient from the Korean War, the ship is designed to support diverse maritime missions. These include special operations forces support, airborne mine countermeasures, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, as well as unmanned aviation systems support.

The vessel features a mission deck, a hangar, and a flight deck capable of accommodating V-22 aircraft. As an ESB, the ship provides critical logistics and access infrastructure to support deployed forces, equipment, and supplies from sea to shore.